Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Bryant J. Williams III" <bjwvmw AT com-pair.net>]

Dear Karl,

I think that much of Hebrew studies in grammar and syntax is over the 
narrative sections. So much of Hebrew poetry will reflect older conventions, 
i.e., Exodus 15 (your example), Deuteronomy 32:1-43 (Song of Moses) or Judges 
5 (Song of Deborah). This does not include Proverbs, Ecclesiastes or Song of 
Solomon.

Regarding the idea that Genesis 1 is poetry. This view actually is a way to 
circumvent the obvious theological and cosmological implications of God as 
creator if the chapter is viewed as narrative. Furthermore, the poetic 
passages found promoting God as Creator, and none else, found in Isaiah and 
the use of )ani, )anoki, etc. corresponding with the LXX use of EGW EIMI is 
astounding.

Rev. Bryant J. Williams III
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: K Randolph 
  To: Bryant J. Williams III 
  Cc: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org 
  Sent: Monday, October 24, 2011 9:32 PM
  Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Hebrew Poetry


  Dera Bryant:


  I wonder how applicable is the development of Tiberian chant to a study of 
Biblical Hebrew poetry? Is it possible, after centuries of linguistic change, 
that the two are only distantly related? The difficulty here is that the 
earliest datable example of poetry (Exodus 15) is over two millennia removed 
from the earliest example of Tiberian chant. And if we take Genesis 1 as 
poetry, it is still another millennium and a half older.


  But it is true that so much of Tanakh is poetry.


  Karl W. Randolph.


    It is 16 pages. It begins with an Introduction (page 1), then he gives 
with a little music lesson dealing with Singing, Chant, Intonation in 
ordinary speech (pp. 2-6). On page 6 Dresher begins the introduction material 
on Hebrew Chant with "Recitation formulas: psalm tones;" and continues until 
the end with the fundamentals between Gregorian and Hebrew Chant styles both 
in similarities and differences.

    Now, my statement and then the list can go at it.

    It seems to me that in discussion of grammar and syntax of BH, we have 
written about the narrative, but not the poetical side of BH. I find that 
this is an interesting omission since roughly half of the Tanakh is poetry. 
Look at the Writings and the Latter Prophets which are continuously using 
poetic devises in order get the message out. I would like to see if any of us 
on the list would be able to say in Dresher is correct on what he is saying 
in his article about the similarities and differences between Gregorian and 
Hebrew Chant. I would also go a little further and say that the Protestant 
Reformation especially the English Reformation contributed greatly to the 
metrical reading, singing and chanting of the Psalms; also some other 
passages.

    If possible, give a link to any sources otherwise note the complete 
source information.

    Rev. Bryant J. Williams III
    _______________________________________________
    b-hebrew mailing list
    b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
    http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/b-hebrew





------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  Internal Virus Database is out-of-date.
  Checked by AVG Free Edition.
  Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.3/696 - Release Date: 02/21/2007 
3:19 PM