Biblical Hebrew Forum

[fred burlingame <tensorpath AT gmail.com>]

Hello all:

a little arithmetic.

1 = 2; or 2 = 2

Biblical hebrew ("BH") language enjoys a unique characteristic. The language
frequently employs a single word, twice or more, in physical proximity.
The single word however, denotes a different meaning in each location.

Translations capture the different meanings of the single word, but lose the
connexity of the verses, and the depth of the single hebrew word in the
process. Witness: חיל :

וישבו בני ישראל נשי מדין ואת טפם ואת כל בהמתם ואת כל מקנהם ואת כל חילם בזזו

numbers 31:9

ויקצף משה על פקודי החיל שרי האלפים ושרי המאות הבאים מצבא המלחמה

numbers 31:14

And so, the question arises. Does BH contained a lock that prevents
translation?

regards,

fred burlingame