Letter from Hackenburg, William B. to Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA; Nov 1868
- Title
- Letter from Hackenburg, William B. to Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA; Nov 1868
- Date Created
- 16 November 1868
- Format
- 2 pages on 2 sheets
- Language(s)
- English
- Source
- Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies
- Sabato Morais Collection, Box 1, Folder 27
- Has Format
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p35m62s3m/manifest.json
- Link to Colenda
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p35m62s3m
- Provenance
- Transfer of Custody from the Hebrew Education Society, 10 March 1913.
- Is Format Of
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/judaicadh/morais/main/TEI/SMBx1FF27_5.xml
- content
-
Aub, Hackenburg & Co.
SILK MANUFACTURERS,
219 CHURCH STREET, NEW YORK,
AND CORNER FRONT AND NEW STREETS,
PHILADELPHIA.
Philadelphia, Nov. 16 1868
Rev S. Morais
Dear Sir
If not troubling you too much I would ask a favor of you. I am desirous of having the literal translation of the words Hiram Abiff; would you at your earliest con-venience be kind enough to favor me with it for which I would return you my sincere thanks.
With regards
I am yours Truly
Wm B Hackenburg
Dear Sir
You ask me for the literal translation of "Hiram Abiff" Allow me to preface it with a remark. The expression, as it stands in Chron. IV. 16, is "Haram Abiv" which, of course, you readily comprehend to signify "Hiram his father." The first word being a personal noun, and "Ab" meaning "father" joined with "Iv"; a masculine possessive pronoun. That Hiram, the skilful artisan whom the king of Tyre (who bore the same name) sent to Solomon, should also have also been called "Hiram," is not at all strange. For, the Book abounds in instances of the same kind, as Denel & Revel, Herman & Herman, Adad and Hadad and many others. Hence the choice between the two names may be optional as to the pronoun "Iv," it may have been attired into "iff," through a practice of our brethren born in South of Germany, who pronounce thus the letter [?] (when not quiescent) at the end of words.
But that "Hiram," or "Hiram Abiv" should in the passage of Chronicles alluded to above, mean what is literal term conveys, seems to my mind inconceivable within the context. For we read that Hiram Abiv made various [?] for King Solomon to be used at the Temple services. Now if Abiv is to be tran-=slated "his father," then the former pronoun would refer to the last mentioned individual, namely; Solomon, which would be historically incorrect.
I have therefore arrived at the conclusion that Abiv must here be regarded as a title of honor, signifying "[?]" "superior" or "master," for the term Ab has been repeatedly employed by Holy Writ in that sense, for example in judges XVIIXIV "Be to me a chief (Ab) and a priest," & likewise in many other places. And as the King of Tyre in speaking to the leverage of Israel about Hiram styles him "Obi" Chronicles II. 12.) my father, viz, my chief, a "overseer;" so did Solomon call him "Abiv" his chief or superintend of the royal works. "Hiram Abiff" (as you have it) would then be rendered "Hiram, (Solomon)" master—workman" or "head-workman." I do not know, at present, that I am supported by any authority in this [?] version, but it is suggested to my [?] as that which best elucidates the sentence, which it accords with the [?] of the Hebrew language. Yours truly S Morais - Identifier
- p35m62s3m
- identifier
- SMBx1FF27_5
Part of Letter from Hackenburg, William B. to Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA; Nov 1868
Hackenburg, William B. and Morais, Sabato, “Letter from Hackenburg, William B. to Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA; Nov 1868”, Sabato Morais Digital Repository, accessed October 18, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/morais/item/86652