Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Kevin W. Woodruff" <cierpke AT prodigy.net>]

Isaac:

 

According to Strabo (Geography 3.4.9), Marathon Μαραθων was so called because of the fennel plant  marathis μαραθις  (Foeniculum vulgare) that grew there.

 

Kevin

Prof. Kevin W. Woodruff, M.Div., M.S.I.S.
Library Director/Reference Librarian, Assistant Professor of Bible, Greek, Theological Bibliography and Research
Tennessee Temple University/Temple Baptist Seminary, 1815 Union Ave.
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37404, United States of America
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Cierpke AT prodigy.net

--- On Mon, 5/27/13, Isaac Fried <if AT math.bu.edu> wrote:

From: Isaac Fried <if AT math.bu.edu>
Subject: [b-hebrew] Marathon
To: "B-Hebrew Hebrew" <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Cc: "B-Hebrew Hebrew" <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Date: Monday, May 27, 2013, 7:19 PM

We have mentioned here before that the name of the Greek goddess 
אתנה Athena
is possibly of a Semitic origin, being but a slight variation on 
Adena, corresponding
to the biblical names DAN and DINAH, from the root אדן ADN, as in 
אדון העולם
ADON HA-OLAM, the master of the universe.

This morning, a man I know, confided to me that he thinks the place 
name Marathon
(from which we have the Boston Marathon) is also of Semitic origin,
to wit: מר-אתון MAR-ATHON, there having been in this location of 
old possibly
a temple to this MAR (recall מרדכי MARDKEI = MAR-AD-XAY).

I thought that marathon is kind of a kraut, but is there possibly 
some truth in what this inventive philologue is saying?

Isaac Fried, Boston University
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