womb-like

[christyG]

I am reading a new book by Marcus J. Borg and in it he submits the idea that in Hebrew and Aramaic the word that is generally translated as "compassion" is the plural form of a singular noun that means "womb". He points out that in many cases in the Hebrew Bible the feeling of compassion is stated as originating in the loins of an individual, both male and female. He sites the following verses...I Kings 3:26 and Genesis 43:30, although the NIV does not really reflect this in it's interpretation.

I found it interesting that this thought of compassion as being seen as womb-like or motherly could have the possibility of translating to God ( who is seen as compassionate) being seen in a motherly or feminine way.

Any thoughts?

Christy

[jlv]

Christy,

There are two words for compassion and two for womb. One word of each looks like the same word (as written in ancient Hebrew), not a plural. In the Massoretic (middle ages Hebrew that our OT is translated from), they are Hebrew puns.

Deut. 13:17 is the first example of this form of compassion. "And there shall cleave nought of the cursed thing to thine hand: that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and shew thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers;" Obviously that special compassion of a fruitful womb is meant here.

So that form of compassion appears to be a verb form of womb.

JL