#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
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| Rashi is Simple Version 2.0 |
| (C) Dr Hendel, Summer 2000 |
| http://www.RashiYomi.Com |
| PERMISSION to reprint WITH this header if NOT for profit |
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VERSE: Gn24-02a
RASHIS COVERED: Gn24-02a Gn29-27a Gn07-14a Ex28-11a Nu06-05b
Dt04-41c Dt32-13h Dt32-14f
RULE:
=====
Hebrew and English words have two forms
-the >ORDINARY< form -eg And Abraham was >OLD< (Gn24-01)
-the >CONSTRUCT< form-eg >THE ELDER< of his house(Gn24-02)
In other words the word >OLD< by itself is >OLD<. But when
it occurs as part of a phrase modifying or modified by
other phrases, >THE ELDER OF HIS HOUSE<,the word >OLD< becomes
>ELDER<. You can usually recognize the fact that a word is
modifying other phrases by the word >OF< (>elder OF his house<)
The above example was in English. The corresponding example
in Hebrew are the words >ZaKayN< vs >ZeKaN< (OLD vs ELDER).
SOURCES
=======
Almost any good Hebrew grammar book will have a discussion on
this. My favorite terse summary may be found at the back of
the Ibn Shoshan Dictionary in the table >FORMS FOR NOUNS<.
>FORM 2< is in fact this example from Rashi (OLD vs ELDER)
EXAMPLES
=========
We now review Rashis that comment on CONSTRUCT grammatical forms
In particular we explain WHY Rashi chose to comment on the
CONSTRUCT form in these cases. We now review other examples.
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In the following Rashis either the surrounding verses contain
both grammatical forms (construct and non construct) Hence
Rashi felt compelled to comment on the construct
The 3rd column contains the entry in the Ibn Shoshan construct
table(D for Dictionary)
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VERSE TEXT(Construct CAPPED) D WHY RASHI COMMENTED
======== ====================== = ===========================
Gn24-02a the ELDER OF his house 2 Gn24-01:02 have both forms
Dt32-14f the MILK OF cows 1* Dt32-14 contains both forms
NOTES
=====
*Dt32-14f has a rare construct form because the word contains
a guttural letter
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In the following verses the construct form is rare and
is not found in Ibn Shoshan (One form is even absent
in the Mendelkorn Konkordance). Since it is rare Rashi
felt compelled to mention it
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VERSE TEXT(Construct CAPPED) D WHY RASHI COMMENTED
======== ====================== == ===========================
Ex28-11a a STONE JEWELERS work NA Rare construct *a
Dt32-13h from HARD rocky ground NA Only occurence of construct*b
Nu06-05b GROWN locks of hair 8 Exception to Rule*c
Dt04-41c On EASTWARD border NA Only occurence in Tnach*d
NOTES
=====
*a The ordinary form of the word (ChoRoSh) means >JEWELER<
The construct form of the word (ChoRash) means >A JEWELER
OF SUCH AND SUCH< There are only 3 examples in the
Bible:
-Stone Jewelers Ex28-11a
-Iron Jewelers Isa44-12
-Wood Jewelers Isa44-13
This construct form is Rare and is not listed in Ibn Shoshan
*b {LIST}
Meanings of the Hebrew word CHaLaMish with and
without construct
========================================================
HEBREW CONSTRUCT? TRANSLATION MY TRANSLATION
====== ========== =========== ==============
CHaLaMiSh by itself HARD ROCK CLEFTED ROCK
CHaLaMiSh in construct HARD ROCK CLEFTED ROCK
Thus the construct form does not add anything. For this
reason Rashi had to comment on it.
Furthermore the word CHaLaMish only occurs 5 times in
Tnach with only one of the them being construct
For a discussion of my translation vs other scholars see
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/dt32-13h.htm
*c The verb P-R-A means to >GROW<. Thus the verse is translated
>Let him grow the growth of the hair of his head<. Again
as in footnote *b the construct doesn't add anything and
Rashi had to emphasize it.
A further reason Rashi emphasized it is because it is a rare
form. Although Segolate nouns are common nevertheless this
segolate noun--P-R-A-- has >TWO< guttural letters (The 2nd
and 3rd letter). As such it is a rare form and Rashi had
to comment on it.
*d I was really shocked: This form is so rare that it does not
even occur in the famous Mendelkorn Konkordance (8th edition)
(A communication from several posters on the Email Group
HebLang at Shamash pointed out that this form although it
is rare occurs more than once. It occurs 3 times and may
be found in the 1st set of corrections in Mandelkern on
page 1535a in the 8th edition. The 3 occurences are Dt04-41
Jos12-01 Jud21-19.
The usual construct form for >EAST< is the Hebrew >MiZRaCh<.
It is well known that adding a HEY to a word can mean
>In the direction of that place<
So I would suggest that >Mizrecha Shemesh< means the
>EASTWARD BORDER< while >Mizrach Shemesh< means >EASTWARD<
This makes sense since the 3 refuge cities were scattered
across Israel's border.(This usage is also consistent
with the occurence of Mizrechah in Jos12-01. However it
is not clear that it is consistent with the usage in Jud21-19
Perhaps the intent there is that Benjaminites from the WHOLE
east coast journied to Shiloh).
This explanation is not full-proof however. Since when a
HEY is appeneded to a words end the accent should fall
back (which does not happen here).
In any event it is a rare form since it occurs only 3 times
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In the following verses the construct leads to a different
interpretation of the verse
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VERSE TEXT(Construct CAPPED) D WHY RASHI COMMENTED
======== ====================== == ===========================
Gn29-27a wait the WEDDING WEEK 65 not >wait 7 more years<*a
Gn07-14a any FLYERS OF wings 63 Includes grasshoppers*b
NOTES
=====
*a This deals with the Jacobs working for Rachel 7 years.
Recall that he was double crossed and given Leah. When
confronted Laban said >Work 7 more and I will give you
Rachel<.
This is sometimes interpreted as >Work 7 more years and
then I will give you Rachel<. But the proper translation
is >Fill this WEDDING WEEK (For Leah) and then I will
give you Rachel (advanced payment) in exchange for the
extra work<
*b Without the construct the verse would read >Birds, (with)
ALL wings<. With the construct the verse reads >any
FLYERS OF wings<. Thus the construct interpretation
includes grasshoppers.
RASHI RULE USED: GRAMMAR
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WARNING: The following additional references may be too wordy
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Volume 8 Number 8
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
Volume 8 Number 8