Page 78 - Coincidences in the Bible and in Biblical Hebrew

CHAPTER 2 CASES OF DESIGN IN THE HEBREW LANGUAGE
CHAPTER 2 CASES OF DESIGN IN THE HEBREW LANGUAGE 57 57

explanations are occasionally offered. The reader is encouraged to figure out why
the Hebrew language had selected to interrelate these words by a common root.

Example 1: “Desert” and “Speaking”
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The word “desert” in Hebrew is midbar. To speak is ledaber. Both are derived
from the common root D.B.R. Why do these words share a common root? Possible
hint: Mount Sinai !

Example 2: “Number,” “Book,” “Tale”
The Hebrew words for “number,” “book,” and “tale” all derive from the root
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S.P.R. “Number” is mispar, “book” is sepher, and “a tale” is sippur. While the
last two may somehow be related as two distinct forms of communication, it is
hard to explain why “number” belongs in that category.
Sepher Yetzirah (Book of Formation) is an ancient Hebrew manuscript, “without

question the oldest and most mysterious of all Kabalistic texts” (Kaplan 1997). It
is traditionally attributed to the Patriarch Abraham , but truly its ancient origins
are unknown. This book starts with the following: “And He created His universe
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with three books [sepharim ]: with book [sepher ], with number (or counting)
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[sephar ] and with a tale [sippur ].” All these words originate in the same root,
yet are seemingly unrelated.
Kaplan (1997) explains that this three-way partition (the “three books”)
represents, respectively, quality, quantity, and communication. In other words,
“These three books correspond to the three divisions of creation defined by Sepher

Yetzirah, namely, ‘Universe, Year, Soul’” (therein, 19).
We wish not to delve, in this book, into Kabbalistic interpretations of the
Hebrew language. Our aim in introducing this set of words is just to indicate that
the mysterious interrelationship between these words is still a mystery in need of
explanation.

Example 3: “To Know” and “Have Sexual Encounter”

Both these words are indeed one word in Hebrew, having the root I.D.A. Thus,
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the Bible, relating to Adam , says: “And the man knew [yada ] Eve his wife; and
she conceived, and bore Cain …” (Gen. 4:1). Yet the same root serves also in
altogether different context: “Thus says the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in
his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man
glory in his riches: but let him that glories glory in this, that he understands and
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knows [yadoa ] me, that I am the Lord who exercise faithful love, justice, and
righteousness, in the earth” (Jer. 9: 22–23).