Biblical Hebrew Forum

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

Karl,

Can I suggest you actually pay some attention to the standard practice of 
examining semantics: a word may have a wide semantic domain, but in a 
particular context, usually only one specific meaning within the entire 
domain is on view, or sometimes two if a pun/wordplay is being made. Your 
lexicographical method is to take the entire semantic domain, derive an 
average meaning, and then apply that average meaning across the board.  This 
is such a brutal and flawed approach to lexicography because it ignores the 
basic framework of language: context. In fact, I think you've invented a new 
fallacy: etymological average transfer.

If you are so confident in your method, may I suggest you write a paper 
outlining it and send it to be peer reviewed by leading lexicographers and 
perhaps included in a journal. You may also get some good feedback from them 
for your consideration.


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