E 0905          THAUMATOLOGY

The word " thaumatology " is of Greek origin .

H 0971              ה מ ת                   

Concept of root : marvelling

Hebrew word

pronunciation

English meanings

ה מ ת

tamàh

to marvel

Related English words

thaumatyology

Comparison between European words and Hebrew

Languages

Words

Pronunciation

English meanings

Similarity in roots

Hebrew

ה מ ת

tamàh

to marvel

t . m .

Greek

θαυμα

thauma

marvel

th . wm

English

thaumato-logy

thaumato-logy

th . (u)m

 

 

Proto-Semitic *TAMÀH --- THAUMA Greek

 

 

The similarity in meaning is full, but in sound Greek has "thickened" the opening dental, that is it has given it more voice. The common origin is beyond doubt.

 

Note:
  • English has a couple of other words that use " thauma-" , like "thaumaturgy" and " thaumaturge " .

 

Note:
  • Hebrew has as well "*ת ו ה , T W + accentuated vowel", serving the same concept of astonishment. It is considered related to the root "T M H" of this entry and has cognates in other Semitic languages. We quote Aramaic and Syriac "ת ו ה , tewàh = he was amazed", besides Arabic "tāha = was astonished". This same root or a similar one is also used to express the concept of "fear".

 

Note:
  • Greek "thauma", is certainly related to another word "θαμβος , thambos" that also says "marvel" besides "amazement, dismay". But "thambos" is defined as derived from a root "TH a PH". We see instead the root " TH . M" that has received a third consonant , "B" to diversify the meaning to comprehend the idea of "dismay". "Thauma" is seen as coming from the root of "θεα , théa= view ". The thinking behind this is that one marvels, is amazed upon viewing, seeing something.

     

    The root of "thauma" certainly is "TH . WM". That it has been developed out of "thea" is less certain. The indications in Hebrew for a relation with "thea" are too vague to find support there. We have no solid indication versus Indo-European.

 

Note:
  • Proto-Semitic. This root is found in Aramaic and Syriac "ת מ ה , temah (A), temà (S) = was amazed, astounded" This root may well have been in use with this meaning already in Proto-Semitic: "*ת מ ה , T M H", with pronounced final " H ".

 

Note:
  • Indo-European gives us no information from other branches and the comparison remains between Semitic and Greek.

 

 

 

 
"...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: 10/12/2012 at 17.54.37