Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Pere Porta <pporta7 AT gmail.com>]

Hi, all.
We have in Is 51:9 (word last but one) MXOLELET, of XLL, with a clear active
meaning: a female subject who pierces.
We know also of noun M$ORERET, poetess, also with a clear active meaning.

But in today Hebrew this pattern is also used with a passive meaning (I
think no sample thereof  -passive-   is found in the Bible). For instance,
MSOBEBET, a female subject who is surrounded.

Is there any "logical" basis for this double and somewhat contrary meaning:
active and passive at a time, surrounding and surrounded?

Or is it merely a "fact of language" what means that the language works this
way and no especial reason is given to explain it?

Pere Porta
(Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain)