[z] (2) On the sense of motion away from anything depends the use of מִן after such ideas as to take away from, to beware, to be afraid of, to flee, to escape, to hide oneself from (cf. καλύπτω ἀπό, custodire ab), sometimes again in pregnant expressions, e.g. Is 33. On the idea of starting from anything depends finally the very frequent causative use of מִן on account of, in consequence of (cf. our that comes from...), prae, e.g. מֵרֹב for multitude, 1 K 8.
[aa] (e) עַל־.[1] The two original local meanings of this preposition are upon (ἐπί)[2] and over (ὑπέρ, super).
(1) From the original meaning upon is explained the use of עַל־ after ideas of commanding, commissioning (פָּקַד עַל־), &c., inasmuch as the command, obligation, &c., is laid upon the object. The construction is self-evident in the case of to lie, rest, lean, rely, press upon something; cf. also, for the last, such examples as Is 1, Jb 7, 23, and especially 2 S 18 וְעָלַי prop. upon me would it have been, it would have been incumbent upon me, &c.
[bb] (2) From the original meaning over is explained the use of עַל־ after ideas of covering, protecting, guarding כָּסָה עַל־, גָּנַן עַל־; also the combinations רִחַם עַל־ to have compassion upon..., חוּס עַל־, חָמַל עַל־ to spare some one, arise from the idea of a compassionate or protective bending over something. Cf. also נִלְחַם עַל־ Ju 9 = to fight for some one, i.e. in his defence.
[cc] (3) Moreover עַל־ is used after verbs of standing and going, to express a towering over some one or something, sometimes in phrases, in which the original local idea has altogether fallen into the background, and which are therefore to be rendered in English by means of other prepositions (by, with, before, near), e.g. Gn 41, &c., Pharaoh... stood עַל־הַיְאֹר by the Nile (above the water level; cf. ψ 1), and so especially עָמַד עַל־ in the pregnant sense to stand serving before some one (prop. over one who sits or reclines at table) Zc 4 (cf. Is 6, where מִמַּ֫עַל לְ is used for עַל־); הִתְיַצֵּב עַל־ to present oneself by command before some one, Jb 1, &c. Cf. also עַל־יַד, עַל־יְדֵי (Jb 1) near, at (on) the side of some one or something.
[dd] (4) From the original meaning above (not, as formerly, explained, on to something, at something) there arise finally all the various constructions with עַל־ in the sense of towards, against. The original idea (which in many of these constructions has become wholly unrecognizable) starts from the view that the assailant endeavours to take up his position over the person attacked, so as to reach him from above, or to over power him; cf. especially קוּם עַל־ to rise up over, i.e. against some one, then with a transference of
- ↑ Cf. Budie, Die hebr. Präpos. ʾAl (עַל), Halle, 1882.
- ↑ Since the placing upon anything is an addition to it, עַל־ also implies in addition to something, cf. Gn 28 (31:50); 30:40, 32:12 (probably a proverbial saying=mother and children); Dt 22. Also עַל notwithstanding is no doubt properly in addition to, e.g. Jb 10 although thou knowest, prop. in addition to thy knowing.—From the original meaning upon is also derived that of on account of (prop. upon the ground of) and in agreement with, according to, since the pattern is regarded as the foundation upon which a thing stands or rests.
