Jeff A. Benner | A History of Hebrew Part 17: Abstract and Concrete @ancienthebreworg | Uploaded March 2010 | Updated October 2024, 29 minutes ago.
A History of Hebrew DVD available through Amazon.Com - amazon.com/History-Hebrew-Its-Language-Philosophy/dp/1621370593
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This is a segment of a much larger video production that I am working on and am looking for feedback (positive and negative) on the layout and content.
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While there are many differences between the Western and Eastern schools of thought, one of the major differences is the use of abstracts and concretes.
Just as artwork may be created in the abstract or the concrete, words can also be created in the abst"act or the concrete.
A concrete word, idea or concept is something that can be perceived by the five senses. It can be seen, heard, smelled, tasted or touched.
An abstract is something that cannot be perceived by the five senses.
As the Bible was written from an Eastern philosophical perspective, it is important that we recognize that we cannot interpret it through our own Western philosophy. To do so would place a meaning and interpretation that may not be that of the original authors.
Thorleif Boman's monumental work, Hebrew thought compared with Greek, states; "The thinking of the Old Testament is primitive and hence can be compared only with the thinking of other primitive peoples and not with thinking as advanced as Plato's or Bergson's. " Thorleif Boman, Hebrew thought compared with Greek, (Westminster Press, 1970)
Victor H. Matthews explains how the culture of the Hebrews can be studied in his book, "Manners and Customs of the Bible." "One of the joys of studying the Bible is attempting to reconstruct the manners and customs of the peoples of ancient times. The gulf of thousands of years can be bridged, at least in part, by insights into their everyday life. These can be garnered through the close examination of the biblical narratives and through the use of comparative written and physical remains from other ancient civilizations. " Victor H. Matthews, Manners and Customs of the Bible, (Hendrickson, 1991)
George Adam Smith said; "...the Hebrews were mainly a doing and feeling people. Thus their language has few abstract terms. Rather, "Hebrew may be called primarily a language of the senses. The words originally expressed concrete or material things and movements or actions which struck the senses or started the emotions. Only secondarily and in metaphor could they be used to denote abstract or metaphysical ideas." George Adam Smith, The Hebrew Genius as Exhibited in the Old Testament, (1944 P.10.)
These same Concrete concepts of Eastern thought can also be found in Primitive cultures today that have not been influenced by Western culture. Dan Everret presents a striking similarity between the language and philosophy of the primitive Piraha tribe in the Amazon and the Ancient Hebrews.
Another aspect of concrete thought is the method of conveying direction.
Exodus 38:9-13 describes the direction of the court in relationship to the four sides of the Tabernacle. The Hebrew words used for these four directions are; South - Negev meaning "The desert region"; North - Tzafon meaning "The unknown region"; West - Yam meaning "The Sea" (The Mediterranean); East - Qedem meaning "the region of the rising sun"
Again, the Piraha tribe parallel's this style of thought.
___________________
Narration: Jeff A. Benner
Graphics: Jeff A. Benner
Footage: The Long Now Foundation
Images: CoolNotions
Music: Kevin MacLeod
A History of Hebrew DVD available through Amazon.Com - amazon.com/History-Hebrew-Its-Language-Philosophy/dp/1621370593
---------------------------
This is a segment of a much larger video production that I am working on and am looking for feedback (positive and negative) on the layout and content.
___________________
While there are many differences between the Western and Eastern schools of thought, one of the major differences is the use of abstracts and concretes.
Just as artwork may be created in the abstract or the concrete, words can also be created in the abst"act or the concrete.
A concrete word, idea or concept is something that can be perceived by the five senses. It can be seen, heard, smelled, tasted or touched.
An abstract is something that cannot be perceived by the five senses.
As the Bible was written from an Eastern philosophical perspective, it is important that we recognize that we cannot interpret it through our own Western philosophy. To do so would place a meaning and interpretation that may not be that of the original authors.
Thorleif Boman's monumental work, Hebrew thought compared with Greek, states; "The thinking of the Old Testament is primitive and hence can be compared only with the thinking of other primitive peoples and not with thinking as advanced as Plato's or Bergson's. " Thorleif Boman, Hebrew thought compared with Greek, (Westminster Press, 1970)
Victor H. Matthews explains how the culture of the Hebrews can be studied in his book, "Manners and Customs of the Bible." "One of the joys of studying the Bible is attempting to reconstruct the manners and customs of the peoples of ancient times. The gulf of thousands of years can be bridged, at least in part, by insights into their everyday life. These can be garnered through the close examination of the biblical narratives and through the use of comparative written and physical remains from other ancient civilizations. " Victor H. Matthews, Manners and Customs of the Bible, (Hendrickson, 1991)
George Adam Smith said; "...the Hebrews were mainly a doing and feeling people. Thus their language has few abstract terms. Rather, "Hebrew may be called primarily a language of the senses. The words originally expressed concrete or material things and movements or actions which struck the senses or started the emotions. Only secondarily and in metaphor could they be used to denote abstract or metaphysical ideas." George Adam Smith, The Hebrew Genius as Exhibited in the Old Testament, (1944 P.10.)
These same Concrete concepts of Eastern thought can also be found in Primitive cultures today that have not been influenced by Western culture. Dan Everret presents a striking similarity between the language and philosophy of the primitive Piraha tribe in the Amazon and the Ancient Hebrews.
Another aspect of concrete thought is the method of conveying direction.
Exodus 38:9-13 describes the direction of the court in relationship to the four sides of the Tabernacle. The Hebrew words used for these four directions are; South - Negev meaning "The desert region"; North - Tzafon meaning "The unknown region"; West - Yam meaning "The Sea" (The Mediterranean); East - Qedem meaning "the region of the rising sun"
Again, the Piraha tribe parallel's this style of thought.
___________________
Narration: Jeff A. Benner
Graphics: Jeff A. Benner
Footage: The Long Now Foundation
Images: CoolNotions
Music: Kevin MacLeod
