RT Article
T1 Katef, a topographical term in the Benjaminite dialect
JF Hebrew Union College annual / Jewish Institute of Religion
VO 70/71
SP 27
OP 38
A1 Elitsur, Yoʾel 1949-
LA English
PB College
YR 1999
UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1650321880
AB As a topographical term, the Hebrew word katef, literally: 'shoulder,' denotes a topographical feature similar in form to a human shoulder: an elevated flat area with a slope alongside it. As used in the Bible, this term is unique in its usage and distribution. Katef is used exclusively in descriptions of boundaries and is invariably associated with a direction perpendicular to that of the boundary. Hence this direction describes the place where the 'shoulder' breaks off. Accordingly, the phrase כתף ים כנרת קדמה (Numbers 34:11) denotes the eastern break of the Golan Heights, that is, the descent to present-day Nahr er-Ruqqād. The term occurs nine times in the Bible, all occurrences except one in Joshua 15 and 18, and describes the boundaries of Benjamin and northern Judah. As there is no topographical justification to distinguish between Benjamin and other tribes, or to such a uniform treatment of all parts of Benjaminite territory, it follows that the term was unique to the Benjaminite dialect. The blessing of Benjamin in Deuteronomy 33:12 uses the term as a literary device.
K1 Geografie
K1 Benjamin : Volk
K1 Palästina