Understanding of Semantic changes and their reasons

Understanding Semantic Changes in Biblical Hebrew

Recognising Semantic Change

Semantic change, otherwise known as semantic shift or semantic progress, refers to the evolution in word meanings over time.
This process is integral to language development and key for understanding historical and contemporary uses of Biblical Hebrew.
Semantic change happens for diverse reasons–like societal shifts or linguistic influences–and can assume various forms like broadening, narrowing, pejoration, amelioration, and more.

Types of Semantic Change

Broadening or Generalisation: It is when the meaning of a word becomes more general or inclusive than before. For example, the Hebrew word “רֶקַע” (raqia) initially represented the specific “metal plate” but broadened to mean the “expanse” or “sky.”
Narrowing or Specialisation: This is quite the opposite of broadening, as a word’s meaning becomes more specific. The Hebrew word “הבל” (hebel) was originally used in the sense of breath or breeze, but over time it narrowed to signify “vanity” or “emptiness” in some contexts.
Pejoration: It refers to when a word’s meaning deteriorates or devalues. This is less common in Biblical Hebrew but might occur during scholarly interpretations.
Amelioration: It happens when a word’s connotation improves or values more. Like pejoration, this is less common in Biblical Hebrew.

Causes of Semantic Change

Often, semantic changes are spurred by shifts in the sociocultural context in which the language is spoken.
Contact with other languages and the related borrowing of words and phrases can also lead to semantic shifts.
Changes in the physical environment can change the categories of thought, leading to changes in word meanings.
Everyday usage can result in frequent misinterpretations and eventual acceptance of new meanings, a process known as colloquialisation.

Retracing Semantic Change

A profound understanding of semantic changes requires familiarity with historical Hebrew, its variations, and the sociocultural history of the Jewish people.
Constant practice in reading and translating Biblical texts will aid in familiarising with words that have experienced semantic change.
Use of resources like Hebrew lexicons and etymological dictionaries can help identify and understand the semantic shifts of specific words.

Recognising and understanding semantic changes in Biblical Hebrew can open a new layer of nuanced understanding of the Biblical texts. By paying attention to both the present and historical uses of words, one can delve deeper into the richness and complexity of this ancient language.