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[b-hebrew] נחנו NXNW usually stated as a short form for אנחנו )NXNW “we”

From: K Randolph <kwrandolph AT gmail.com>
To: B-Hebrew <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: [b-hebrew] נחנו NXNW usually stated as a short form for אנחנו )NXNW “we”
Date: Sat, 27 Apr 2013 12:14:21 -0700

While reading through Exodus 16, verses 7–8, and the complaints lodged against Moses and Aaron, I came to question whether נחנו NXNW is a shortened form for “we”, or is it from the verb נחה NXH “to lead”?

This particular form is found in only five verses, Exodus 16:7–8, Numbers 32:32, 2 Samuel 17:12, and Lamentations 3:42. While Numbers 32:32 and Lamentations 3:42 seem to mean “we” at first blush, they can also mean “our leading” as a noun. The Exodus verses seem to mean “what is our leading”, for if people were meant, shouldn’t “who are we” be used?

What do you all think?

Karl W. Randolph.

[b-hebrew] נחנו NXNW usually stated as a short form for אנחנו )NXNW “we”, K Randolph, 04/27/2013
- Re: [b-hebrew] נחנו NXNW usually stated as a short form for אנחנו )NXNW “we”, David Kolinsky, 04/28/2013