A History of Hebrew Part 11: The Biliteral Roots

A History of Hebrew DVD available through Amazon.Com - http://www.amazon.com/History-Hebrew-Its-Language-Philosophy/dp/1621370593

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This is a segment of a much larger video production that I am working on and am looking for feedback (positive and negative) on the layout and content.

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All Hebrew linguists recognize that most Hebrew words are derived from a triliteral (or three letter) root. However, there are some linguists who have suggested that these triliteral roots are themselves derived out of a Biliteral (or two letter) root.

Rabbi Matityahu Clark, in his book "Etymological Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew," records and organizes Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch's commentaries of the Bible which relate to the Hebrew language. Rabbi Clark stated; The second major analytical tool in the Hirsch system we will call Gradational Variants. This involves five special consonants: aleph, hey, vav, yud and nun. These consonants play a special role with respect to roots whose third consonant is identical with the second The new root form does not change the basic meaning of the original root, but adds some nuances of meaning.

Rabbi Clark then provides many of examples of these "Gradational Variants" including; The triliteral root tsarar which means "forcing, constraining, oppressing." As mentioned, the second and third consonants are identical, the letter resh. The Gradiant Variants of tsarar are; Natsar - guarding or protecting, Yatsar - forming or creating, and Tsur - fencing or enclosing.

The meaning of the triliteral root radad is a "flattening down or submitting totally." The Gradiant Variants are; Radah - ruling over or having dominion over, Yarad - going down, Rud - humbling

Wilhelm Gesenius, one of the greatest Hebrew scholars of all time, wrote in his book "Gesinius Hebrew Grammar," "...a large number of triliteral stems really point to a biliteral base, which may be properly called a root, since it forms the starting-point for several triliteral modifications of the same fundamental idea."

Gesinius then cites the following example; The biliteral root כר is the root of כרר, כרה, אכר, כור, each being related to the idea of "digging." Another example he provides is the biliteral root דך, the root of דכה, דוך, דכך, דכא, each being related to the idea of striking or breaking.

Edward Horowitz states in his book "How the Hebrew Language Grew," "Scholars are fairly convinced that back of these three lettered roots lie old primitive two-lettered syllables. These two-lettered syllables represent some simple primitive action or thing. It does seem quite clear that there existed a bi-literal or two-letter base for many, if not most, of our three lettered roots."

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Narration: Jeff A. Benner

Graphics: Jeff A. Benner

Music: Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Видео A History of Hebrew Part 11: The Biliteral Roots канала Jeff A. Benner