Question: “for three and for four” as it is repeated in these chapters. Is there deeper meaning or is it a hebrew phrase / saying / proverb?

• 
  Beatrice Pinkwasser
  July 30, 2019 at 1:18 am  /

  …had sent my question to early…

  I wonder if it is a “phrase/proverb” since it is also used in Proverbs 30:21.

  Who would know?

• 
  Edie Ellingson
  July 30, 2019 at 9:08 am  /

  Hi Beatrice,

  I know Nehemia Gordon addresses this, at least in part, in the Prophet Pearls episode that coincides with this reading. It has been a long time since I listened to that episode so I cannot recall if he addresses the reason this method of numbering is used but I did note in the margin of Amos that when graduated numbers are used, the Hebrew thought is that it’s the greater number that applies.

  I often wondered “which is it?” myself when reading Proverbs.

  Here is the link to the Prophet Pearls episode:
  https://bfainternational.com/academy-posts/prophet-pearls-9-vayeshev/
  Nehemia talks about it around minute 9:00.

  • 
    Beatrice Pinkwasser
    July 31, 2019 at 7:02 am  /

    Perfect Edie!!

    Toda raba! …for reminding me of this pearl 🙂 !