0007_abbir page

E 0298 EPHEBE

The word "ephebe" has, via Latin, come from Greek

H 0007 א ב י ר , א ב ר ך

Concept of root : power of youth

Hebrew word		pronunciation				English meanings
א ב י ר ; א ב י ר ; א ב ר ך		awir ; abbir ; avrekh				Strong (G.d); powerful; young man

Related English words				ephebe, from Greek

Comparison between European words and Hebrew
Languages	Words		Pronunciation		English meanings		Similarity in roots
Hebrew	א ב י ר א ב י ר א ב ר ך		awir; abbir; avrekh		strong(G.d); powerful; young man		a b i r
Greek	ήβη		hèbè		vigor, youth		è b è
English	ephebe				ephebe		(. ph) . b .

Proto-Semitic ABBER --- HÈBÈ, HABA Greek

Both Greek and Hebrew bear in these roots the meaning of youthful power and vigor. But if there is a common origin, the separation must have taken place before Hebrew added a third consonant, the "R". This is uncertain .

In this case we see the initial Aleph in Semitic correspond with aGreek or Indo-European " H ", which is not too uncommon.

Note:

In Modern Greek the word "ήβη" has its meaning developed into "adolescence". The pronunciation has become " iwi ".

Note:

Greek dialects have for "hèbè" also "hèba" and " haba ". This proves that also in Greek the use of vowels may vary without influence on the meaning of a word and its root.

Note:

Hebrew gives further clear indications for the supposition that the combination of the two consonants Aleph and Bet already deals with vigor and youth.
We can find this in the words א ב = av" for "father" and א ב = ev " for "young plant". The extended root with an R as third consonant then represents a necessary diversification, combining vigor and youth . And an א ב ר , ewer, ewar " is an organ or member. Ans specifically the male one. Hebrew uses "abbir" also as a noun to say "stallion" and "bull".

Note:

Proto-Semitic. The similarity with Akkadian "abaru" for "to be strong" allows a hypothesis for a Proto-Semitic root similar to Hebrew: א ב ר . In the comparison the vowels " A " and " E " are seen, that may have been used in Proto-Semitic.

Note:

English "ephebe" comes from Greek "εφ’ήβής , eph’ hèbès", litterally "in youth", that indicated especially young men of about 18 to 20 years old.

Note:

Indo-European We have no information from outside Greek that would allow a hypothesis for Indo-European different from Greek.

Created: Tuesday 6 November 2007 at 22.30.54 Updated: 21/12/2012 at 9.58.11

awir ;

abbir ;

avrekh

Strong (G.d);

powerful;

young man

ephebe, from Greek

Comparison between European words and Hebrew

Languages

Proto-Semitic *ABBER --- *HÈBÈ, HABA Greek

Proto-Semitic ABBER --- HÈBÈ, HABA Greek