Magyar Posted February 19, 2012 Posted February 19, 2012 Alma uses the unique phrase "their souls did expand" in Alma 5:9. The word "expand" appears nowhere in the KJV and I don't believe elsewhere in the Book of Mormon, either. Alma famously does elaborate on the concept later, in Alma 32. However, a related term, expanse, does show up in the Bible, translated as "firmament" in Genesis 1. Would be pronounced rawkeeyah, r-k being the consonantal roots.I would like to hear the input of our resident Hebraists as to whether there could be any linguistic connection between r-k as noted above and r-k-b, from which is derived merkabah, literally the visionary chariots of Ezekiel, which inspired a mystical Jewish school of thought. It would be interesting if these two words, both of which led to mystical experiences on opposite sides of the world, were related.
Robert F. Smith Posted February 20, 2012 Posted February 20, 2012 Alma uses the unique phrase "their souls did expand" in Alma 5:9. The word "expand" appears nowhere in the KJV and I don't believe elsewhere in the Book of Mormon, either. Alma famously does elaborate on the concept later, in Alma 32. However, a related term, expanse, does show up in the Bible, translated as "firmament" in Genesis 1. Would be pronounced rawkeeyah, r-k being the consonantal roots.I would like to hear the input of our resident Hebraists as to whether there could be any linguistic connection between r-k as noted above and r-k-b, from which is derived merkabah, literally the visionary chariots of Ezekiel, which inspired a mystical Jewish school of thought. It would be interesting if these two words, both of which led to mystical experiences on opposite sides of the world, were related.The Hebrew roots are רקע rqʿ “expanse,” and רכב rkb “ride,” even though they may sound similar.
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