Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Isaac Fried <if AT math.bu.edu>]

1. Hebrew etymology is a delicate and uncertain undertaking.

2. TuRaQ certainly deserves more than just "some discussion". Every word of the Hebrew bible deserves scrutiny.

3. As for understanding the text, I would read it: By your good smelling oils your name (reputation?) is mollified as by oil.

4. I agree with you that RK is 'soft' and that RQ is 'thin' (whatever is soft may be spread out), both related to MRX, 'smear' (see Is. 38:21), MRQ, 'pulverize', and MRG, 'grate, shred' (see Is. 41:15).

5. ROQ (actually ROK, 'tenderness') is indeed 'spit, phlegm, mucus, muck'.

6. YARAQ appears to me to be a variant of ZARAQ, 'toss' (also ZARAX, 'shine, emit light'), referring specifically to the ejection of spittle. Also to grass sooting forth its green blades. Related to them is $ARAQ, 'whistle, ejecting through the lips of a thin column of air in order to produce a shrill sound'. Also to the SARIYG, 'branch', of Gen. 40:10.

Isaac Fried, Boston University

On Dec 11, 2012, at 7:27 PM, David Kolinsky wrote:

Isaac,

Thank you for the post. 
First, let me say that I think that my point that TuRaQ is hoophal meaning "poured out," is worth at least some discussion - the form is in the grammar books.  

With regard to your point, I would put my entire etymology here but even to me, although I believe it to be correct, it appears like a stretch.  Besides, for the most part, I believe that my etymologies at best fall on deaf ears and at worst are annoyances.  Anyway:

 RK (fragile, delicate, tender) > RQ (thin, lean, meager) > RWQ (spit) > RQQ = YRQ (to spit) > hiphil HaRaeYQ (to draw out, pour out, empty out). 


OOPS I guess I gave you the whole thing, Sorry!

Hanukah S'maekhah,
David Kolinsky
Monterey, CA

---

From: Isaac Fried <if AT math.bu.edu>
To: David Kolinsky <hadeesh AT sbcglobal.net>
Cc: B-Hebrew <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Tue, December 11, 2012 3:54:05 PM
Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Fw: Song of Songs 1:3 TWRQ

1. I agree with you that TURAQ is an act of the root RQ. 

2. It appears to me that the root RQQ is a variant of the roots

רכך, רחק, רקח, רקק

or RKK, RXQ, RQX, RQQ

all meaning 'soft, pliable, melleable, spreadable, supple'. Compare 

Is. 1:6 "neither mollified with ointment"

Indeed, we have from this root also the רקיק RAQIYQ of Ex. 29:23, 

'wafer', which I don't think is hollowed out.

In the Mishnah we find דגי רקק DGEI RKAK, 'mud or swamp creatures'.

So TURAQ, methinks, is not 'pouring out', but rather 'softening'. 

Isaac Fried, Boston University

On Dec 10, 2012, at 5:27 PM, David Kolinsky wrote:

I believe it to be huphal from רקק meaning 'fully poured out."

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