...This cannot be an adequate explanation for the form 'LHYM. The he as a root letter is found in other Semitic languages, including Arabic "Allah", "ilaha" etc, Aramaic "elah", all with a fully pronounced (not mater lectionis) he. So it can hardly be a Hebrew invention, or one dating from after the introduction of matres lectionis which was not long before the Exile.
It also accords well with the fact that the Israelites seem to have
used their matres lectiones for other important tasks, including
adding a Hey to the names of their Patriarch (AVRM --> AVRHM),
Matriarch (SHY --> SRH) and deity (ELYM --> ELHYM).
Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.