Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Isaac Fried <if AT math.bu.edu>]

The root G$M is a member of the family of roots
*GDM, GZM, G$M
XSM, X$M, XTM
QDM, QTM, QSM
Later, Hebrew produced (following the Arabic) from the root G$M also  
the adjective GA$M-IY, 'substantial, material' (as opposed to RUX- 
ANIY, 'spiritual'). I think that GE$EM is what we call today  
condensation (as opposed to vapor), or even the heavy clouds  
themselves (in English too, 'cloud' is related to clod and clot).  
MATAR is, methinks, 'sprinkle', LE-HA-MTIYR being 'to sprinkle, to  
spray'.
Nowadays MA-MTER-AH is a sprinkler, and MITR-IYAH (not GI$M-IYAH) is  
an umbrella.

Isaac Fried, Boston University

On Jan 24, 2011, at 1:22 AM, Pere Porta wrote:

> Hi, dear list.
>
> We have the noun GE$EM, rain (Gn 7:12) and we have the noun MF+FR,  
> rain (Dt
> 11:17).
>
> Are they quite synonyms?  Is there any difference as regards their  
> meaning?
>
> Are they used in different contexts?
>
> Regards.
>
> --
> Pere Porta
> _______________________________________________
> b-hebrew mailing list
> b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/b-hebrew