Subject: [b-hebrew] The meaning of "Zoan" in the HB
Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2003 16:43:16 -0500
Can the reference to the "fields of Zoan" in Psalm 78:12-43 be explained as
an attempt by a pre-exilic redactor to keep his sacred texts relevant to its
audience? The OT does not say that the fields of Zoan were the Pharoanic
residence OR the capital of Egypt during the time of the Exodus. In fact it
does not identify the nature of the fields of Zoan, except to say that it was
in the land of Egypt. In fact, the name Zoan, in some African traditions,
simply means "departure" or "motion". The passage takes on a deeper meaning
when rendered as "the fields of departure".
Does anyone on the list know if this word is originally a Hebrew word or
something else? Further, has anyone done an analysis of whether or not the
reference to Zoan in Numbers 13:22 is the same word as that in the Psalm
which can be translated as "departure"? If so, then the author of Numbers
13:22 could simply have been trying to say that Hebron was built seven years
before the "departure" in Egypt. There might be no connection to
Avaris/Tanis/Pi-Rameses here in these instances. I realize the long-standing
identification of Avaris/Tanis/Pi-Rameses with Zoan, and I know it's no small
matter to challenge it, so no flames here, please.
Best Salaams,
Brian
[b-hebrew] The meaning of "Zoan" in the HB,
formoria, 12/12/2003