Dictionary:Multiple Meanings/0

Multiple Meanings

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Overview

As in every language, many words in Biblical Hebrew might have multiple meanings.  Sometimes, there is one usage which is prevalent and a second which is much less common.

Polysemous Words

The following words regularly take more than one meaning:

Opposite Meanings

Sometimes the same verb can be used to refer to both an action and its opposite. Ibn Kaspi (on Bereshit 41:34) explains the reasoning: a certain root might refer to a certain aspect of something which can be either inserted or removed; context will determne which meaning it takes.  Examples of such verbs follow:

• דשן
• שרש

Secondary Meanings

Verbs

Nouns

א-ל , א-להים, י-ה (1 – Though these words generally refer to Hashem (or a foreign god), they might also take on two secondary meanings:

• Judge or ruler – See, for instance, the word's usage in Shemot 4:16, 7:1, 21:6, 22:7-8, and 22:27, Shemuel I 2:25, Tehillim 82:1
• Might / greatness / intensifier –  See RadakBereshit 1:2About R. David Kimchi who notes that when Tanakh wants to amplify an object or action, it often adds  the name of Hashem.  As support he points to Yonah 3:3, Tehillim 36:7 (הַרְרֵי אֵל), Tehillim 80:11 (אַרְזֵי אֵל), Shir HaShirim 8:6 (שַׁלְהֶבֶתְיָה). See also the phrase  "לאל ידם" in Bereshit 31:29 and Mikhah 2:1 which means the power of their hands.

There are many verses where the meaning of the word is ambiguous and commentators have debated which of the three definitions the verse takes. see:

• בני אלהים
• קללת אלוהים תלוי
• רוח אלהים
•  "כְּנִמְרֹד גִּבּוֹר צַיִד לִפְנֵי י"י"' (Bereshit 10:9) - Compare Radak, and see Nimrod for a discussion of how the various interpretations might influence one's evaluation of Nimrod's character.

Adjectives

General and Individual

Certain words can refer to both an entire category and to a specific item within the category:

• אח – This word can refer to relatives in general, and also specifically to a brother.
• לחם