To: "'George Athas'" <george.athas AT moore.edu.au>
Cc: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] The 'Golden Rule of Hebrew Etymology'?
Date: Wed, 31 Jan 2007 01:22:02 -0500
The only question that matters about this rule is if it is true. Since it is
empiric it may be verified. Below is the entire list of Hebrew roots (some
520) that contain the letter R. All one needs to do is go over them one by
one. The rule is true also conversely: a Hebrew root refers to a state of
aggregation or dispersion if and only if it contains the letter R. However
the “only if” part is subtler and whenever I mention it people pounce down
on me with some 77 apparent counterexamples, so I left it out.
When analyzing a Hebrew root one needs to keep in mind another golden rule:
that the Hebrew root describes a material state, not an ongoing act or
process. One must, of course, be also careful with translations.
Here is the list of roots:
-----Original Message-----
From: b-hebrew-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:b-hebrew-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of George Athas
Sent: Monday, January 29, 2007 8:50 PM
To: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: [b-hebrew] The 'Golden Rule of Hebrew Etymology'?
Isaac Fried wrote:
> The golden rule of Hebrew etymology: The letter R is
> a marker of plurality;every Hebrew root containing
> the letter R refers to a material state of
> aggregation.
Has anyone else ever heard of this rule? Does anyone know its origin? Isaac,
perhaps you could elucidate the derivation of this 'golden rule'.
Best Regards,
GEORGE ATHAS
Moore Theological College (Sydney)
1 King St, Newtown, NSW 2042, Australia
Ph: (+61 2) 9577 9774
--
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.17.15/659 - Release Date: 1/30/2007
9:31 AM
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.17.15/659 - Release Date: 1/30/2007
9:31 AM