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SEVEN MEANS ALOT |
EXMAPLE: Lv26-18c SEVEN means ALOT
EXAMPLE: Lv26-20e SEVEN means ALOT
EXAMPLE: Lv26-21b SEVEN means ALOT
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TODAYS RULE: WORD MEANINGS
TODYS SUBRULE: NEW MEANINGS
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VERY BRIEF SUMMARY
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The Bible states
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If you rebel against me I will punish you
SEVEN-FOLD according to your sins
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Rashi interprets the phrase SEVEN-FOLD to
mean ALOT or MANY. Thus Rashi translates the verse
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If you rebel against me I will punish you
WITH MANY PUNISHMENTS according to your MANY SINS
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RULE
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One of Rashis 6 main tasks is to explain the meaning of
words, the same way a dictionary explains words.
Rashi not only explains words--he also explains phrases.
A phrase with a new meaning is simply a group of words--
--each word of which has a clear meaning--but the words
together mean something new.
Rashi can justify a suggested new meaning by a variety
of techniques. One powerful technique is the ALIGNMENT
OF PARALLEL phrases.
STANDARD EXAMPLE
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The phrase ON THE FACE OF occurs in 5 verses with
reference to a person. In 4 of them -- Nu03-04a,
Gn11-28a, Ex20-03a, Dt05-07a -- Rashi explains
that ON THE FACE OF (when used in reference to
a person) means DURING THE LIFETIME.
Notice how the MEANING of the phrase has nothing
to do with the meaning of the words which make
up that phrase, even though, each word has a
clear meaning. That is
-- ON
-- THE
-- FACE
-- OF
all have clear dictionary meanings. But the phrase
ON THE FACE OF, when used in reference to a person,
means DURING THE LIFETIME.
STANDARD REFERENCES FOR THIS RULE
---------------------------------
The 6 Rashi goals are compactly summarized at
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/rules-01.htm
A fuller version of these 6 rules may be found at
http://www.RashiYomi.com/database.htm
The various methods of inferring the meaning of words
or phrases may be found at
http://www.RashiYomi.com/means-32.htm
A good summary of Rashis approach to various words
may be found on the dictionary page at
http://www.RashiYomi.com/words.htm
TODAYS EXAMPLE
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Here are a collection of verses where SEVEN means,
not SEVEN, but ALOT
|
| VERSE |
TEXT OF VERSE WHERE THE # 7 SYMBOLIZES ALOT |
| Prv24-16 |
The Righteous falls 7 times but gets up |
| Prv26-25 |
The enemy speaks nicely but has 7 plots in his heart |
| Ps109-164 |
I will praise you, God, 7 times a day |
| 1Sam2-5 |
The barren gives birth to 7 |
| Dan9-24 |
70 double weeks have been cut on your nation |
| --------- |
----------------------------------------------------- |
| Lv26-18 |
I will punish you 7 ON your sins *1 |
| Lv26-24 |
I will punish you 7 ON your sins *1 |
| Lv26-28 |
I will punish you 7 ON your sins *1 |
| Lv26-21 |
I will punish you 7 LIKE your sins *1 |
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COMMENTS |
*1 Note the different prepositions used: ON YOUR SINS
vs LIKE YOUR SINS. Rashi attaches no significance
to these numbers.
To be technical Rashi INFERS the
rule that SEVEN means ALOT from the top 5 verses and
then applies this rule to the translation of the
Bottom 4 verses. Footnote *10 deals with alternate
approaches to Rashi.
In the main posting which you can find at
http://www.RashiYomi.com/h13n25.htm
I discuss the possible literal interpretation of Rashi
and how to reconcile this with our explanation
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