Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Jesse Griffin <jag3773 AT gmail.com>]

Hello,

I thought it worth noting that we shouldn't read middle-ages "flat earth"
cosmology back onto the text either (not that you are suggesting that
George).  From what we know of Sumerian and Babylonian astronomy and
cosmology, it's not unreasonable to think חוג *could* mean sphere.
 However, I do agree that the context in which חוג is used in the Bible
suggests circle over sphere.

Also, I don't think I've posted here yet, so by way of introduction, my
name is Jesse Griffin.  I've studied biblical studies at Liberty University
in VA, and also Old Testament and biblical languages at Gordon-Conwell
Theological Seminary in MA.  I hold a position in another profession, but I
make use of my biblical skills by teaching Sunday School (currently leading
a class through Genesis).

Thanks,
Jesse Griffin


On Sun, Aug 19, 2012 at 3:51 AM, George Athas 
<George.Athas AT moore.edu.au>wrote:

> In response to something Karl wrote (see below):
>
> In both Isa 40.22 and Prov 8.27, the word חוג does not mean 'sphere'. It
> simply indicates a circle. The use of the verb form in Job 26.10 shows that
> is something that can be traced on a flat surface. Ergo, we can't read
> modern cosmology back into the biblical texts.
>
>
> GEORGE ATHAS
> Dean of Research,
> Moore Theological College (moore.edu.au)
> Sydney, Australia
>
>
> From: K Randolph <kwrandolph AT gmail.com<mailto:kwrandolph AT gmail.com>>
> Date: Saturday, 18 August 2012 8:33 AM
> To: Isaac Fried <if AT math.bu.edu<mailto:if AT math.bu.edu>>
> Cc: B-Hebrew <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org<mailto:b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
> >>
> Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] GALGAL and TALTAL
>
> As far as I can tell, GLGL גלגל is used only as a place name, never
> referring to an object in Tanakh. The word for “wheel” is )PN אפן found in
> places like Exodus 15:25. The word for “circle”, “circular” or “sphere” is
> KhWG חוג found in places like Isaiah 40:22 and Proverbs 8:27.
>
> By the way, Gilgal, the camping place, was down in the valley near Jericho,
> not up in the nearby hills.
>
> Karl W. Randolph.
>
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