A New Meaning of [inline-graphic 01] in Biblical Hebrew: Evidence from the Theological Conflict in Isaiah 33:14

Abstract:Isaiah 33:14 is interpreted here as expressing the crux of a bitter controversy between a salvation theology, defended by Isaiah, and a contemplative approach of YHWH that denies all targeted divine intervention, defended by Isaiah's opponents. In this conflict, Isa 33:14 quotes opponents who mock Isaiah and his followers for their theological position by asking sarcastically who is capable of kindling the divine fire on earth, with which it may be transformed into a weapon for use against a specific target. This interpretation yields a new meaning of the verbal root [inline-graphic 02] twice expressed in this verse. The fiery context of meaning of [inline-graphic 03], and of its derivatives in many Semitic languages, support both the interpretation of [inline-graphic 04] as "to kindle a fire" in Biblical Hebrew and the antiquity of this semantic field in West Semitic languages.