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  • From: Hedrick Gary <GaryH AT cjfm.org>
  • To: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] lock without a key
  • Date: Wed, 3 Nov 2010 14:53:16 -0500

Fred, it sounds like you're trying to convince us that it's impossible to
translate the Hebrew text into other languages in any meaningful way because
of the ambiguities and semantic range of meaning that's inherent in biblical
Hebrew vocabulary. If that's the case, you're barking up the wrong tree here
at b-hebrew. If you don't mind my making a suggestion, it might be a better
investment of your time to take it somewhere else (unless, for some reason,
you just enjoy beating your head against a wall). I'm sure there's another
discussion group somewhere (maybe at groups.yahoo.com) that would love to
discuss your ideas.

Gary Hedrick
San Antonio, Texas USA

On Nov 3, 2010, at 1:59 PM, fred burlingame wrote:

> Hello Gary;
>
> The question in my humble opinion, equals:
>
> a. not whether we're dealing with rocket science or building a simple room
> air conditioner;
>
> b. but, whether the english translation can happen at all, at least beyond
> rough approximation.
>
> The insusceptibility of biblical hebrew to english translation reveals
> itself all across the masoretc text. Witness a few verses down in numbers
> 31:19, 20, the hitpael form תתחטאו . This verb ordinarily and primarily
> means to sin or miss the mark. The intensive forms of the verb however,
> cause the verb meaning to reverse course and indicate "purification." No
> single english word carries the double and opposite meanings of both "to
> sin" and "purification from sin." Translation of such a hebrew word into
> english becomes not rocket science; and not akin to building a room air
> conditioner; but rather represents impossibility.
>
> regards,
>
> fred burlingame





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