Can Elohim be used as a superlative? (e.g. Gen23:6, 30:8, Ex 9:28; 1 Sam 14:15)
I know this question is not related but hopes somebody can help!
Kelvin
I did a small search in my grammar collection and this is what I found:
Rem. 6. A kind of superl. sense is given to a word by connecting it with the divine name. Probably the idea was that God originated the thing (as Ar.), or that it belonged to Him, and was therefore extraordinary. Sometimes the meaning appears to be “in God’s estimation,” Gen. 10:9. Cf. Jon. 3:3 עִיר גְּדוֹלָה לֵֽאלֹהִים (Acts 7:20); Ps. 36:7; 68:16; 80:11; 104:16, Song 8:6, 1 Chr. 12:23. — 1 S. 14:15; 26:12 (Gen. 30:8 seems different).Davidson, A. B. (1902). Introductory Hebrew grammar Hebrew syntax (3d ed.) (49). Edinburgh: T&T Clark.
I finally found the relevant paragraph in the Grammar of Biblical Hebrew by Joüon and Muraoka:
§ 141. The adjective. Comparative and superlativenSome nouns such as אֵל, אֱלהִים in the genitive case can serve as intensifiers: 1Sm 14.15 חֶרְדַּת אלהים a very great panic; 26.12 תַּרְדֵמַת יהוה a very deep sleep; Ct 8.6 שַׁלְהֶ֫בֶת יָהּ a frightful flame(1).Joüon, P., & Muraoka, T. (2003). Vol. 2: A Grammar of Biblical Hebrew (525). Pontificio Istituto Biblico.
Thank you very much! That reference is indeed helpful! Peace to you!
... and ... ............Always Joy in the Lord! *smile*
