To: "Biblical Hebrew" <b-hebrew AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
Subject: Re: Qa+aNiY in 1Kings 12:10
Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2002 11:38:17 +1100
The context suggests Rehoboam boasting about his own potency in a way that
makes his father look
impotent. There seems to be innuendo here, but it is being used to make a
political remark, not
just a crude and snide insult. Remember, in the ancient world, the sexual
exploits of a king were
very much connected to his ability to rule (cf. Absalom with David's
concubines). In the case of
1Kgs. 12:10, I believe it is the "loins" that are the euphemism, rather than
"little finger".
I've always wondered, though, could QATANI in this case refer to "little toe"
rather than "finger"?