To: "b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org" <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Directions with MIN
Date: Mon, 6 Apr 2009 03:25:29 -0700
Charles:
Interesting question. I learn so much from questions like these.
I wonder if the difference may be between the motional and locative use of
the word?
On Sun, Apr 5, 2009 at 2:41 PM, Charles Grebe <cgrebe AT briercrest.ca> wrote:
> When the preposition MIN is used with a direction like QEDEM (east) or
> TSAPHON (north), how do you know when it means "direction from" or
> "direction towards"?
>
> For example, in Genesis 13:11, MEQEDEM pretty much has to mean towards the
> east. After Lot chose the plain of the Jordan, he travelled east from the
> high country between Bethel and Ai (v. 3).
Is this a locative use, namely that Lot was traveling around “in the east”?
> See also Genesis 12:8 where Abram camps east of Bethel (or eastward from
> Bethel).
>
I understand this verse as purely locative.
>
> In Genesis 11:2, however, should MEQEDEM be understood to mean "from the
> east" or "to the east" or even "in the east", and more importantly, how do
> you determine which it is? There are examples of all of these in the English
> translations for this verse.
Is this verse also locative, in the same manner as Genesis 13:11 above?
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Charles Grebe
I just did a quick analysis of MCPWN, and it seems to me from spot checking
that when it deals with an motion exiting from the place, e.g. Jeremiah
50:41, that it refers to “from the north”. But when it refers to something
happening in the north, such as camping, then it would be best translated as
“in the north”.