In modern Hebrew, in which spelling without vowel points is the norm, "extra"
letters, especially alephs, vavs and yods, are used in cases in which a
reader might not know whether the letter in question is a matres lectionis or
a consonant. This has often "spilled over" even to cases in which there
really is no doubt, such as the word "Tqwh". The Hebrew Language Academy has
published "official" rules for undotted spelling, which can be seen here: http://hebrew-academy.huji.ac.il/decision4.html.
Gmar Hatimah Tovah
Yigal Levin
-----Original Message-----
From: b-hebrew-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:b-hebrew-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of fred putnam
Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 2009 2:14 PM
To: B-Hebrew
Subject: [b-hebrew] TQWH
Friends,
This may not be "on-list", so please feel free to respond individually.
A former student asked me why the word TQWH is spelled with two *waw*'s in
Modern Hebrew. It is spelled with both one and two in Mishnaic, according to
Jastrow (p. 1689).
Any thoughts?
Thanks.
Fred
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"We are not yet what we already are" (J. Pieper).
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www.fredputnam.org (website)
Frederic Clarke Putnam | Professor of Biblical Studies
Philadelphia Biblical University | 200 Manor Avenue | Langhorne, PA
19047-2990 http://pbu.edu | 1215-702-4502 | Fax: 1-215-702-4533
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