My dear friend,Sure, the meaning "(slaughtering) knife" is not obvious from the context. That is why we have to rely on the form.This noun type that begins with M with vowel sound A, namely MA, has several meanings.Basically they have to be taken as Hiphil Participles so that the main resulting meanings of this noun type are:
1. -result of the basic concept being happening... --------> result2. -place where the basic concept happens --------> place3. -tool that is used to achieve the basic concept -------> tool or meansSome examples:1. RESULT. Look at the 6th word in Dn 10:8 -------- vision, sight; also at M(RB, west, sunset (cf Dn 8:5); MXLH, sickness (2Ch 6:28)2. PLACE: Look at Is 42:16, MX$K --------- dark `place; MXNH, encampment (Dt 23:10) (where people encamp, cf 1Sm 26:5)3. TOOL/MEANS: Look at Lv 19:23, M)KL, foodSome nouns share two of them. And so, MXNH can be considered as the place but also as the result of encamping. That's why we cannot rely too much on a strict and cutting line between the three.What then about our noun?In our case (Ez 1:9) we have a sample of the last: tool.MXLP ------> The tool that makes to PASS through something and by this it divides (something) in parts, cuts (something) in pieces... This is just the main intended normal use of a knife.
But I say it again: the vowel of the initial M is A (and not E, shewa, or others). (I stress this because you do not trust on masoretic points)
Is this enough for you?Hearty greetings from Barcelona.Pere Porta
Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.