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sirigulaY sense , is so exactly analogous to that of Adonim , that no one could have thought of finding a different explanation for it , except ' under the'i nfluence of a favourite hypothesis . That which our author has devised , however ingenious , will hardly be thought , by any competent judge , sufficiently probable fo answer his purpose . * Dr . S . ' s observations do not materially affect the probability that Tannim , the crocodile , Ezek , xxix . 3 , is a plural form with a singular sense , and
though he readily adopts the opinion of some modern Hebrew scholars that rfiDDTT , ( Chochmoth , ) wisdom is singular , it seems to us that this opinion rests on very slight foundation , and that the generally-received doctrine of its -being a plural form is by far the most probably correct . Behemoth we will lay no stress upon , though the Coptic derivation is not certainly established , but other instances of the use of a plural for a singular noun to give emphasis , or to produce the effect of a sort of superlative degree , all seem to belong to the same idiom . Thus blindnesses for total blindness , Gen . xix . 11 ; 2 Kings
vi . 18 . Salvations for complete salvation , Ps . xlii . 5 , 11 , liii . 6 . . Vanities for much vanity , Eccles . v . 7 , &c . There seems , then , good reason for believing that the use of a plural for a singular was one of the various modes of giving emphasis , or marking eminence resorted to by the Hebrews ; and that though not applied generally to all words expressive of authority or dignified office , but confined by early custom to a small number , selected in a way which appears to us arbitrary , it does occur in cases where the sense is indisputably singular , and might be used by the people to whom the idiom belonged without suggesting any idea of plurality .
In several of the instances of the application of plural names to the Supreme Being , the intention of augmenting the force of the epithet is sufficiently evident , as Prov . ix . 10 , " The beginning of wisdom is the fear of Jehovah , and the knowledge of the holy ones , i . e . most holy , ( as it has been properly rendered by Dathe , ) is understanding . " So in Hos . xii . 1 . Of the same nature seems to be the Chaldee plural yivby ( Elionin ) , Dan . viu 18 . The word in the singular means very hiyh , or might even be rendered most high ; but the plural form increases the force of the epithet .
ft has often been remarked that Jehovah , the peculiar and sacred name of the true God , is singular , whilst the plural name , Elohim , CD » n ^« is one \\ hich is equally applied to idols , and is even given , without impropriety , to human objects of respect , and which , so far as we know or have any means of judging , may be supposed to be a word of human construction ,
signifying an object of adoration . Dr . S . indeed maintains , that when the word Elohim is applied to a single idol , it refers to something plural in its nature , and he reminds us of the multiform appearance of many idols ; but this is a mere hypothesis , and it is more natural and reasonable to suppose that the p lurality in the name had the same cause in all the cases of its occurrence . Dr . S . thinks that when it is sa d to Moses ( Ex . iv . 16 ) , " Thou
* The word does not occur hi the full plural form , but in coustiuctiou with a pronominal suffix , V 7 J 7 H- Dr . S . denies that this is plural at all , and supposes the ' to be introduced in imitation of other names of relationship , UK , a father , "j'DH , illy father , n « a brother , vn « his brother , HDJl a father-in-law , n'On her fatherin-law . But in all these instances the primitive form * , as our author properly states ,
appear to have been » 34 * , » n « , 'on which readily accounts for the insertion of the * before the sqftix , and there } s no reason why they should have been imitated in words of a different form ; at the best the supposition is a mere conjecture , resorted to to suit a purpose , and not being a very plausible one , the more obvious explanation founded on the analogy of'MTK will continue , to be gent * rally received .
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• JJr . J . P . Smith ' s Scripture Testimony to the Messiah . 337
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1831, page 337, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2597/page/49/
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