Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Re Ezk 3:14 in the heat of my spirit
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:57:39 +1100
Isaac Fried asks, "So, do you think that XOMAH, 'wall', is also related to
heat,
possibly because it keeps the enclosed town cozy and warm?"
Answer: No. The primary purpose of city walls was defence of the city's
residents. It had nothing to do with temperature insulation. To claim that
XOMAH ('wall') is linked semantically to XOM ('heat') is pushing credulity,
in my opinion. I don't think the suggestion has any more credence than
arguing that 'bear' (to have children) is related to 'bare' (naked) because
children are born naked.
Regards,
GEORGE ATHAS
Moore Theological College (Sydney, Australia)
www.moore.edu.au