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b-hebrew - Re: [b-hebrew] A VISUAL EXPRESSION OF A THEOLOGICAL IDEA OF THE SKY/HEAVEN

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  • From: George Athas <George.Athas AT moore.edu.au>
  • To: "b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org" <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] A VISUAL EXPRESSION OF A THEOLOGICAL IDEA OF THE SKY/HEAVEN
  • Date: Tue, 4 Sep 2012 07:22:03 +0000

Karl,

In your examples, the noun פנים in the expression על פני refers to the face
of people. As such, it has a personal usage ('against' or 'opposite'). This
is certainly not the case in Gen 1.20, unless you want to propose the רקיע is
a being, which I don't think you do. This is a common distinction: the 'face'
of people and the 'surface' of things. Same word in Hebrew (פנים), but
different connotations and different words in English.


Ishinan,

The birds fly through the sky, but the sky that is under the רקיע, which
stands as a dome-like roof above everything. The birds flying through the
שׁמים are thus seen to be flying 'across the surface' of the רקיע above them.
You are confusing שׁמים with רקיע, but they are distinct.


GEORGE ATHAS
Dean of Research,
Moore Theological College (moore.edu.au)
Sydney, Australia




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