Jewish philosophy -- Early works to 1800; Judaism -- Works to 1900; Philosophy, Medieval -- Early works to 1800
The term male is a homonym which denotes that one substance enters
another, and fills it, as “And she filled (va-temalle) her pitcher”
(Gen. xxiv. 16); “An omer-full (melo) for each” (Exod. xvi. 32), and
many other instances. Next, it signifies the expiration or completion
of a fixed period of time, as “And when her days to be delivered were
fulfilled (va-yimleü)” (Gen. xxv. 24); “And forty days were completed
(va-yimleü) for him” (Gen. l. 3). It further denotes attainment of the
highest degree of excellency, as “Full (male) with the blessing of the
Lord” (Deut. xxxiii. 23); “Them hath he filled (mille) with wisdom of
heart” (Exod. xxxv. 35); “He was filled (va-yimmale) with wisdom, and
understanding, and cunning” (1 Kings vii. 14). In this sense it is said
“The whole earth is full (melo) of his glory” (Isa. vi. 4), “All the
earth gives evidence of his perfection,” i.e. leads to a knowledge of
it. Thus also “The glory of the Lord filled (male) the tabernacle”
(Exod. xl. 34); and, in fact, every application of the word to God must
be interpreted in this manner; and not that He has a body occupying
space. If, on the other hand, you prefer to think that in this passage
by “the glory of the Lord,” a certain light created for the purpose is
to be understood, that such light is always termed “glory,” and that
such light “filled the tabernacle,” we have no objection.
CHAPTER XX
The word ram (high) is a homonym, denoting elevation in space, and
elevation in dignity, i.e., greatness, honour, and power. It has the
first meaning in “And the ark was lifted up (va-tarom) above the earth”
(Gen. vii. 17); and the latter meaning in “I have exalted (harimoti)
one chosen out of the people” (Ps. lxxxix. 20); “Forasmuch as I have
exalted (harimoti) thee from amongst the dust” (1 Kings xvi. 2);
“Forasmuch as I exalted (harimoti) thee from among the people” (1 Kings
xiv. 7).
Whenever this term is employed in reference to God, it must be taken in
the second sense: “Be thou exalted (rumah), O God, above the heavens”
(Ps. lvii. 12). In the same manner does the root nasa (to lift up)
denote both elevation in space and elevation in rank and dignity. In
the former sense it occurs in “And they lifted up (va-yisseü) their
corn upon their asses” (Gen. xlii. 26); and there are many instances
like this in which this verb has the meaning “to carry,” “to move” from
place to place; for this implies elevation in space. In the second
sense we have “And his kingdom shall be exalted” (ve-tinnase) (Num.
xxiv. 7); “And he bare them, and carried them” (va-yenasseëm) (Isa.
lxiii. 9); “Wherefore do ye exalt yourselves” (titnasseü) (Num. xvi.
3).
Every form of this verb when applied to God has this latter sense—e.g.,
“Lift up thyself (hinnase), thou judge of the earth” (Ps. xciv. 2);
“Thus saith the High (ram) and Exalted (nissa) One” (Isa. lvii.
15)—denoting elevation in rank, quality, and power, and not elevation
in space.
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