The Meaning of Paʽam in the Context of Furniture

In three instances in the Hebrew Bible, in two separate contexts, we find the word paʽămōtāyw denoting parts of an item of furniture. In all three instances, the most attractive interpretation of the word is ‘its feet’, which would mean short projections at the bottom of the object that bear its wei...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Semitic studies
Main Author: Aikhler, Raʿanan 1980- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Oxford University Press [2015]
In: Journal of Semitic studies
RelBib Classification:HB Old Testament
Online Access: Volltext (Verlag)
Volltext (doi)
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Summary:In three instances in the Hebrew Bible, in two separate contexts, we find the word paʽămōtāyw denoting parts of an item of furniture. In all three instances, the most attractive interpretation of the word is ‘its feet’, which would mean short projections at the bottom of the object that bear its weight. However, there has been a surprising reluctance among translators and commentators to understand the word in this sense. In this paper, the various alternative interpretations of the word will be surveyed and the reason for this reluctance will be investigated. It will be argued that this reason is invalid and that ‘its feet’ is the correct understanding.
ISSN:1477-8556
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of Semitic studies
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1093/jss/fgu029