A new meaning of in Biblical Hebrew: Evidence from the theological conflict in Isaiah 33:14

Nissim Amzallag, Shamir Yona

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Isaiah 33:14 is interpreted here as expressing the crux of a bitter controversy between a salvation theology, defended by Isaiah, and a contemplative approach of YHWH that denies all targeted divine intervention, defended by Isaiah's opponents. In this conflict, Isa 33:14 quotes opponents who mock Isaiah and his followers for their theological position by asking sarcastically who is capable of kindling the divine fire on earth, with which it may be transformed into a weapon for use against a specific target. This interpretation yields a new meaning of the verbal root twice expressed in this verse. The fiery context of meaning of and of its derivatives in many Semitic languages, support both the interpretation of as "to kindle a fire" in Biblical Hebrew and the antiquity of this semantic field in West Semitic languages.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)175-189
Number of pages15
JournalHebrew Studies
Volume60
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2019

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cultural Studies
  • History
  • Religious studies
  • Literature and Literary Theory

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