I'm unconvinced, Jonathan. I think this is reading too much into etymology. I can't see how we get from 'beating' to 'eating bread'. Also, it doesn't explain the Arabic cognate, which means 'meat'. There are, it seems, two distinct roots: to fight, and to have a meal.
GEORGE ATHAS Dean of Research, Moore Theological College (moore.edu.au) Sydney, Australia From: Jonathan Mohler <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> Date: Friday, 12 April 2013 7:42 AM To: B-Hebrew <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> Cc: George Athas <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>>, "[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>" <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] ובלחם George and Mike: My theory is that there is only one root, להם. This original root is "to beat," hence "to fight." The idea of beating dough or kneading leads to the noun, lechem, bread. Subsequently the a new verb arises as lacham, to have bread with someone. A branching off from the original root, rather than two homonyms. Jonathan E. Mohler
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