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[b-hebrew] Semantic shades?

From: Chavoux Luyt <chavoux AT gmail.com>
To: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: [b-hebrew] Semantic shades?
Date: Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:29:13 +0200

Shalom everybody and chag sameach!

I have two questions:

1. What is the difference between malachah (מלאכה) and avodah (עבדה)? Are they simply synonyms or is there a difference in meaning?

2. In 1 Kings 9:22 it says: "ומבני ישראל לא נתן שלמה עבד כי הם אנשי המלחמה ועבדיו ושריו ושלשיו ושרי רכבו ופרשיו׃" ...

Solomon did not make slaves of any of the children of Israel and yet they were his "slaves" (עבדיו)? It would appear that "eved" (עבד) can have two different meanings? Or is it because they were "his" slaves/servants that there is a difference? Does the possessive change the meaning word or is it simply a homonym (similar word, but different meanings)?

Thanks

Chavoux Luyt

[b-hebrew] Semantic shades?, Chavoux Luyt, 03/28/2013