A Re-examination of Homonymic and Polysemic Roots

Abstract

This paper re-examines the classification of two roots from the book of Ben Sira that are defined as homonymic and polysemic, respectively. The re-examination is carried out in light of a novel principle suggested by Prof. Chaim Cohen. The examination of the roots in Ben Sira includes a comparison with biblical evidence. In some cases, the re-examination supports the generally accepted classification, while in others it is shown that a re-classification is needed.