To: James Christian <jc.bhebrew AT googlemail.com>
Cc: Hebrew <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Unpointed
Date: Thu, 17 Jun 2010 13:16:38 +0300
[RB]
>> When interpreting the MT, it is always good to remember that
>> the masoretes knew Hebrew.
>
> [JC}
> That's quite a bold assumption you're stating Randall! The fact that they
> felt the need to develop a system tends to suggest that controversies over
> the correct reading had gotten to a point where an authoritative group felt
> the need to formalise the 'correct' reading. This calls into question just
> how well they knew classical Hebrew.
>
Fixing the reading tradition hardly calls into question their knowledge of
Hebrew. It does not logically follow. A person can know Hebrew and disagree
on an interpretation and vocalization of a text. In fact, in the midrashim
this
even become a midrashic turn, 'don't read A, read B'.
...
>> [RB]
>> The consonantal text is often ambiguous,
> [JC]
> Or at least it was by the time of the Masoretes.
Communication is breaking down here. So I've stopped.
--
Randall Buth, PhD
www.biblicalulpan.org
randallbuth AT gmail.com
Biblical Language Center
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