Words with Multiple Meanings/0

Words with Multiple Meanings

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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), Y.   See also the phrase  "לאל ידם" in Bereshit 31:29 and Mikhah 2:1 which means the power of their hands.

There are several 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 interpertion 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