Biblical Hebrew Forum

[David Kolinsky <yishalom AT sbcglobal.net>]

Dear List,

Eventhough, the explanation for the name Yishmael is "because haShem heard 
your affliction," metaphorically it means "One who is attentive to G-d."  

He is described as PeRe/ /aDaM. (/= aleph)  

The word PeRe/ is related to words that mean "to scatter."  Such as the 
hitpael PRR "to crumble away"(Is24:19); the piel of PRPR "to throw about / 
all around" (Jb16:12); and PRY = fruit (literally = what is scattered about). 
 PaRa/ means "a wild ass-donkey."  It is related to the hiphil of this root 
"to go wild, behave wildly' in (Hosea13:15). 

/aDaM comes from the verb DMH "to think" so Adam - /aDaM = "the thinker" (a 
fitting name for human being - don't you think?)

A person who is "attentive to G-d" and the many things that G-d brings forth 
in life must be a thinker whose attention is scattered in all directions, a 
PeRe/ /aDaM, and as a consequence of being attentive to so many of the things 
being brought forth by G-d, "his hand will be upon everything and the hand = 
power = influence of everything will be upon him."

Compare this to Job 11:12 :
"And a hallow man (/eeSh) shall become wise, when of a colt of a wild-ass, a 
man (/aDaM) shall be born."  The word for colt (\aYeeR) (\ = ayin) is related 
to \eeYR (city), and Ya\aR (forest) - all of which literally mean "something 
that is stirred up" related to the verb \WR "to stir up or awaken."  

In other words, a hallow man shall become wise, when a wildly scattered 
person is stirred and awakened, thus producing :"a thinking man." 

Yishmael is a person who has thus achieved Job11:12 because he is attentive 
to G-d.

Thanks for your time,

David Kolinsky
Monterey, CA