medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
We don't really know that this plural form of the common word for "foot" is a
euphemism now do we? In order to have a euphemism, you have to have a crude
word for which it is substituted. But in fact the other word for penis in the
Hebrew Bible is "flesh," which sounds a little like a euphemism itself. The
word translated "loins" actually refers to the testicles and really is not a
euphemism either. I believe that "flesh" and "feet" were in fact the commonly
used Hebrew words for penis. Why? Read Ezekiel 23.20. "She lusted for them
whose flesh[or "penis" if you like] was like a donkey's and whose
ejaculation[rare word, but either meaning this or some part of the penis] was
like that of horses." Why would anyone writing this, see the need for
euphemisms? --I say translate "feet" as the Hebrew has it "feet" and flesh as
"flesh" and don't worry that it sounds like a euphemism, the Bible is frank
enough in many other places.
V. K. Inman
Quoting Bill East <[log in to unmask]>:
> medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
>
> --- "Rochelle I. Altman" <[log in to unmask]> wrote: >
> medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and
> > culture
>
> Is there any need to perpetuate
> > the
> > non-existant concept of "feet" as "a euphemism for private parts"
> > concocted
> > by much later delicate sensibilities.
>
> I quote from the commentary of Otto Kaiser (Professor of Old Testament
> at the University of Marburg):
>
> "The seraphim reverently conceal their faces and private parts with
> their wings."
>
> A footnote explains:
>
> "Cf Ex. 4.25 and Isa. 7.20. In both passages, 'feet' is used as a
> euphemism for the genitals."
>
>
> Bill.
>
> =====
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