> Assuming that SAPIR is a native Hebrew word, then its root is SPR
I would say that it is related to $PYR, meaning beautiful.
> I don't know if what he said was before or after his visit to Rome
Since Ben Azai and Ben Zoma were already his colleagues and not his
students,
I would guess the story is rather late in Akiba's life.
His travels (to Babylonia and to Rome) were at the request of Gamliel of
Yavne.
> Technically speaking, the W-TAXAT RAGLAYW of Exodus 24:10 is, in my
opinion, 'below his feet', not 'under his feet'
Absolutely agree.
So have we broken the code ? Did Akiba translate SPYR as marble ?
I am still unsure, but don't have any other explanation.