From: Gerry Folbre <gerry AT wetmountainvalley.us>
To: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: [b-hebrew] Definite articles and proper names in B-Hebrew
Date: Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:11:49 -0600
James Christian:
This discussion may be benefited by examining the B-Hebrew masculine
noun that is generally rendered "name"; $M: the exact designation of
...; the "name" of brute animals (i.e. bear, noun); a river's "name"; a
personal "name"; the reputation of ...; a byword, characteristic
expression, metaphor, or proverb; name, as designation of God,
specifically of YHWH (paraphrased from the BDB Lexicon of the OT).
According to the BDB Lexicon of the OT $M = "name" of the Hebrew Deity
YHWH. The masculine noun $M is not used in regard to the plural
masculine noun 'LHYM that can be referring to "rulers, judges, angels, a
god, a goddess, gods, as well as God = the Hebrew Deity (paraphrased
from the BDB Lexicon of the OT).
The context of the Genesis 1 thru 2:3 creation account appears to employ
the plural masculine noun 'LHYM as an appellative or common noun that
refers to the attributes of the Hebrew Deity. The plural masculine noun
'LHYM does not appear to be used as either "a title" or "a name".