Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Ishnian" <ishinan AT comcast.net>]

Dear Ishinan,

A written or spken word signals a concept in the mind of native speakers. A 
concept is rather broad: it has a rather clear nucleus but is more fuzzy at 
the edges. In a clause each word signals a concept (or occationally two). 
Communication means to make visible a part of the concept signalled by the 
word and make all other parts of the concept invisible. Thus is done by the 
concept. Thus, the context do not generate new lexical meaning, but it helps 
to make visible a part of the lexical meaning (the concept) that already is 
there.

When we are discussing the meaning of a text, I is fine to use Ogden's 
triangle, where we find "sign (word)," "concept," and "reference" at the 
three corners. It is particularly important to distinguish between the core 
meaning of the concept signalled by a word, and the reference of a word. We 
may use the root QRN as an example. The core of the concept is "horn, and the 
word can have several references, such as, "horn of animals; perfume box; 
receptable; light rays; strength and dignity." My point here is that a word, 
such as "brass" may refer to different things in different contexts. These 
references are all connected with the concept.

When a word is used in a metaphorical sense, a part of its concept is made 
visible, but its reference is outside the references that is linked to its 
concept—"one thing is called as the other." In Deuteronomy 28:23, the meaning 
is "brass" (copper and zinc), and this is applied to the heavens. Normally, 
rain comes down from the heavens, and this is a blessing for those who 
cultivate their fields and get their food this way. In the particular 
situation that is mentioned, the heavens would not give rain, and to convey 
this the heavens are compared with a hard metal, namely, with brass. In 
Deuteronomy 8:8, 9, the reference is the metals copper and zinc, and to the 
prosperity of the land. To understand the use of a word we needfirst  to 
ascertain the part of its concept that is made visible in the particular 
context. Then we need to find how the word is applied in this context. Thus, 
the use of brass in Deuteronomy 8 and 28 is different, and one pass age does 
not have any bearing on the other. 

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Best regards,


Rolf Furuli
Stavern
Norway




Søndag 2. September 2012 00:09 CEST skrev "Ishinan" <ishinan AT comcast.net>:




 
ROLF wrote:
......I would argue about RQY( in Genesis 1:6-8.  When it is said that the 
heavens will become brass, the one thing (the sky) is called like the other 
one (brass,). Thus, "brass" is a metaphor. 


ISHINAN: 

Dear Rolf,

If the metaphorical language of the Scripture means transporting a meaning 
from one word  [here brass *(1) which is an alloy of copper and zinc] to 
another [in this case, the heaven(s)]. My question to you, is why,  in your 
opinion, it is such a terrible situation if the heavens become brass?. What 
does this particular metaphor try to convey in the light of Deuteronomy 8:8-9 
 *(2) where 'brass'  is used in a positive sense?

Best regards,

Ishinan Ishibashi



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*(1) Deuteronomy 28:23: “And thy heavens that is over thy head shall be 
brass, and the earth under thee shall be iron. The Lord shall make the rain 
of thy land powder and dust: from heaven shall it come down upon thee, until 
thou be destroyed.”} 

*(2) Deuteronomy 8:8-9
8:8  A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; 
a land of oil olive, and honey;
 
8:9  A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not 
lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills 
thou mayest dig brass.

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