Revision as of 12:03, 29 June 2022

Introduction

Semantics is the study of how language is used to represent meaning. The goal of semantic analysis is to make explicit all the semantic relationships within the biblical text, that is, to take what is implicit about word meaning – and thus assumed by the original audience – and make it explicit – and thus understandable for us who are removed by time, language, and culture.

One major branch of semantic study is lexical semantics, which refers to the study of word meanings. It examines the relationship between words (e.g. synonymy, hyponymy) as well as the relationship between words and larger concepts (e.g. lexical domains). This involves study of Hebrew word meaning, but also an examination of our own assumptions about English word meaning. As Western-trained scholars, we start with our Western assumptions, so this part of the analysis, in particular, should be done afresh for every culture.

Lexical semantics is one of three parts of semantic analysis (cf. mid-level semantics and unit-level semantics).

Required Tools

• Hebrew text • Grammatical diagram • Lexicons • SDBH • HALOT • BDB • DCH • Versions

Overview

Lexical and Contextual Domains
Venn Diagram (wiki bank)
English glosses
Close-but-clear
Repeated Roots

Steps

1. Semantic Domains

2. Venn Diagram

3. Close-but-clear

4. Repeated Roots

i. Using the template table, identify repeated roots and list in order of occurrence. The table should include verse numbers on the left and the lexical form of each word at the top.

ii. Create a duplicate of the repeated roots table. Use

Look for breaks in the text, especially a “mid-line” that splits repeated roots.

Additional Resources

Archer, Gleason L. Jr., Robert Harris, and Bruce K. Waltke, eds. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Moody Press, 1980 (Logos version, 2002).

The Semantics of Ancient Hebrew Database project

List of semantic domains, developed by Ron Moe (SIL).

Zotero: Lexical Semantics

@@ Line 36: / Line 36: @@
 ==4. Repeated Roots==
+i. Using the template table, identify repeated roots and list in order of occurrence. The table should include verse numbers on the left and the lexical form of each word at the top.
 [[File:Repeated Roots 1.jpg|thumb]]
-Table 1: List in order of occurrence. The table should include verse numbers on the left and the lexical form of each word at the top.
+ii. Create a duplicate of the repeated roots table. Use
+Look for breaks in the text, especially a “mid-line” that splits repeated roots.
-[[File:Repeated Roots 2.jpg|thumb]]
+[[File:Repeated Roots 2 .jpg|thumb]]
 =Additional Resources=

Method: Lexical Semantics: Difference between revisions