GD 1071          RAAM

H 0807             ע ב ו ר

Concept of root : quadrangle

Hebrew word

pronunciation

English meanings

ע ב ו ר

ravu‛à

quadrangle

Related English words

none

Comparison between European words and Hebrew

Languages

Words

Pronunciation

English meanings

Similarity in roots

Hebrew

      ע ב ו ר

ravu‛à

quadrangle

r . b  (‛) .                     

German

Rahmen

ramen

frame

r . m

Dutch

raam

raam

frame, window

r . m

 

 

Proto-Semitic *RAB‛À --- *RĀM Proto-Germanic

 

 

The number four , 4 , in Hebrew is " א ר ב ע, arb‛à" with an Aleph, א , in front. But many others words, that refer to the concept of " 4 ", do not have that Aleph, but just the other three letters. So our word "quadrangle" of this entry and many others: " ר ב ע" pronounced " rov‛à " is a quarter part, a quarter of a town. Pronounced "rév‛à" it is once more a "quarter", but also a "fourth side" And also the word "fourth" does not have the Aleph: " ר ב ע , révi‛ì". Obviously the Aleph is not essential to the concept "four", but a confirming initial vowel. This happens in Hebrew, be it a bit less often than in Greek.

 

The other side of the reasoning that we try to build regards the Germanic words. Dutch "raam" says "window", but that is just a derived meaning. The basic one is that of a frame for a window or other openings or construction within an opening, all in modern German still within the normal meanings of "Rahmen". With a different word " ח ל ו ן , ghalon" in Hebrew the story was the same, from "window-opening " to "window".

 

Traditionally, also in the oldest times, this kind of openings in constructions such as houses, had four sides, like today. Sure, architects have invented different shapes, and also that already long time ago, but the basic concept is a quadrangle or rectangle with four more or less precise sides. We suspect that the words "rahmen" and "raam" have a final labial M that corresponds with the labial B or V in Hebrew. Certainly this would mean as well a "weefraam = weaving loom", that has four sides as well.

 

We are out of touch with the ruling opinion, that links "raam" and "Rahmen" to a concept of "support", sustain". The basis of this thesis is rather narrow as well, consisting of just a Lituanian word "ramstis = support, bar", rather far from a frame as such.

 

Note:
  • Proto-Semitic . The root of this entry is present in Aramaic and Syriac "א ר ב ע , arebb‛à". Ugaritic uses the two consonant root "R B". Arabic, Ethiopian and Akkadian use the same root with initial Aleph". But Akkadian "rebū = fourth" has no initial Aleph. The root was probably in use in Proto-Semitic, both with an initial Aleph, "*א ר ב ע , Aleph R B Ayin" and without it "* ר ב ע , R B Ayin".

 

Note:
  • English "frame" seems to have a part in common with "Rahmen", but is of different origin . Middle English had "framen = to benefit, construct" and Old English "to benefit, avail". The situation is not too clear. How come a meaning "to construct" would be derived from "to benefit" ? More probably there were two similar roots with yet different origins, one for "benefit" and "advantage", and the other for "constructing".

 

Note:
  • Proto-Germanic . Old High German "rama" and Middle High German "rame" together with German and Dutch indicate a possible Proto-Germanic "*R Ā M-".

 

Note:
  • Indo-European . It has been tried to link Germanic "RĀM" to words from other Indo-European groups of languages, such as "Lithuanian "remti = to support", Old Indian "ramate = he stands still" and Old Irish "fo'ruimi = he places", bu they are too distant semantically. The comparison stays between Semitic and Germanic, as so very often is the case.

 

 

 

 
"...the town, to which was given the name Babel, because it was there that the Lord confused the language of all the world on the face of which He dispersed them. GENESIS 11,9"
 
Created: Tuesday 6 November 2007 at 22.30.54 Updated: 26/11/2012 at 9.55.37