...
While recognizing that each binyan tends to cluster around a meaning, or
maybe more than one meaning, it is my desire to find out what is that meaning
and the breadth thereto. As a lexicographer, then, if I understand the Piel,
for example, then I could predict what the Qal, the Hiphil and other binyanim
meanings would be. ...
... But if they don’t follow the pattern, then it is a good sign that I
didn’t understand the Piel correctly in the first place and I need to go back
and do more research. But if I just blindly go on, treating each semantic
domain as an isolated unit, treating each verb’s binyanim as independent from
another verb’s binyanim, what rhyme or reason can I point back to? How can I
be assured of the integrity of my research? How can I confidently understand
the text? And how can I with confidence make an accurate translation of the
text?
Some people
therefore conclude that there are "rules and lots of exceptions," but
I don't find that approach helpful or accurate, both because the rules
tend to be complicated, and because the exceptions outnumber the
non-exceptions.
See above, sloppiness.
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