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  • From: fred burlingame <tensorpath AT gmail.com>
  • To: Hedrick Gary <GaryH AT cjfm.org>
  • Cc: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] lock without a key
  • Date: Wed, 3 Nov 2010 15:00:12 -0500

Hello Gary;

I wasn't trying to belabor the point; rather, merely respond to those who
took the time to post in this thread, as a courtesy.

But I would observe that fred may not be the only one here whom you think
operates out on planet pluto. This thread has revealed divisions broad and
deep amongst and between others as to the uniqueness of the ancient hebrew
language.

regards,

fred burlingame



On Wed, Nov 3, 2010 at 2:53 PM, Hedrick Gary <GaryH AT cjfm.org> wrote:

> 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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