Biblical Hebrew Forum

[George Athas <George.Athas AT moore.edu.au>]

Actually, ברזל probably has a non-Semitic origin as well. I refer you to the 
lexicons for the etymological trail. Furthermore, iron is a generic 
commodity, and you can see how the word would have infiltrated quite early on 
throughout a number of languages. 'Paradises' or 'botanical gardens' or 
'luxury estates' or however else you want to translate פרדס isn't something 
you can generally take with you for trade or manufacturing. Its spread into 
the Semitic languages, therefore, suggests a time when Persian luxury was 
widely known by fame and prestige. I don't see how we can be any earlier than 
the Persian Era on that one. It would be highly unlikely any earlier, in my 
opinion.


GEORGE ATHAS
Moore Theological College (Sydney, Australia)
www.moore.edu.au


From: <dwashbur AT nyx.net<mailto:dwashbur AT nyx.net>>
Reply-To: <dwashbur AT nyx.net<mailto:dwashbur AT nyx.net>>
Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2011 17:30:24 -0800
To: B-Hebrew <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org<mailto:b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>>
Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Words adopted into Biblical Hebrew Vocabulary

I ask because I'm thinking the vocalization reminds me a lot of BRZL, "iron," 
which as far as
I know is a semitic word.  I can't help wondering if PRDS is a similar type 
of term.


Dave Washburn

http://www.nyx.net/~dwashbur