Hebrew Etymology

Greek Koine and Biblical and Medieval Greek
1

Hi,

I have a couple of questions here.

  1. Are there Hebrew etymological dictionaries; I mean something like Chantraine’s for Greek, or Skeat’s for English?

  2. Does anyone know what such a dictionary might say for the word “naked” ( עיר? - so I am told) as used in Genesis, e.g., “I was naked so I hid myself”?

The authors of the Septuagint rendered this word with Greek γυμνός whose etymology includes meanings of vulnerability, lack of armor, etc. I am curious if there are expressly similar meanings in the Hebrew word.

Thanks.

Cordially,

Paul

2

According to Davies-Mitchell Hebrew Lexicon there aren’t. It gives the meaning as “naked, stripped” and as a substantive “nakedness”. It doesn’t mention vulnerability at all.

3

Thanks Chris.

Is Davies-Mitchell an etymological dictionary?

I might add that it’s a small psycho-semantic leap from “nakedness” to “vulnerability.”

Cordially,

Paul

4

The older “מילון ?בן שושן” had some etymological info, the newer - published during the last few years - has less, but can still be useful.

5

Hey Paul. I use “The Analytical Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon” by Benjamin Davidson (ISBN-10: 0913573035
ISBN-13: 978-0913573037 ) by Hendrickson Pub.
Everyone seems to like the BDB, but all the ones I see are designed for mainstream use. It focuses on the Strong’s number system for instance. Bothersome if one at least knows the Hebrew alphabet. I normally do not buy books published in the USA, however Davidson’s Lexicon is an exception. It is unique in that is has an excellent system of shoresh; the 3 letter Hebrew root words. Necessary for etymology. I found some srange root words that have certainly deepend my understanding(or left me dumbfounded and confused :^) )
As for your question on the Hebrew word for nakedness “eirom”. I actually have it’s root meaning: cunning, subtle, crafty. Now I find this very significant, in that in the same passage the serpant is also described as this, being refered to as “aroom”, crafty. The Hebrew scriptures often have common themes like this in it’s text. Also, each Hebrew root has at least three different, often conflicting meanings. What the theological meaning behind this passage is however, is up for interpretation…

6

Marvelous, Avraham. Thank you very much for both the lexicon ref and the very interesting etymology.

Cordially,

Paul

7

Hello,

Adam never realized the shame of his nakedness
until he partook of the “fruit” which was in the
midst of that tree of knowledge that Eve had
previously “partook” of. Then is when he hid
from God, his Maker.