Karl,
In your examples, the noun פנים in the expression על פני refers to the face of
people. As such, it has a personal usage ('against' or 'opposite'). This is
certainly not the case in Gen 1.20, unless you want to propose the רקיע is a
being, which I don't think you do. This is a common distinction: the 'face' of
people and the 'surface' of things. Same word in Hebrew (פנים), but different
connotations and different words in English.
Ishinan,
The birds fly through the sky, but the sky that is under the רקיע, which stands
as a dome-like roof above everything. The birds flying through the שׁמים are
thus seen to be flying 'across the surface' of the רקיע above them. You are
confusing שׁמים with רקיע, but they are distinct.
GEORGE ATHAS
Dean of Research,
Moore Theological College (moore.edu.au)
Sydney, Australia
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