Dill claims that some Hebrew scholars believe that yom when modified by a number ALWAYS refers to

In his book In The Beginnings Steven E. Dill presents his arguments for adopting the Gap theory interpretation of the Creation account given in Geneses 1. While I personally do not see the Gap theory as the best explanation for the account given in Genesis 1, my criticisms jesons of Dill s books are unrelated to my rejection of the Gap theory. There are good scholars that present reasonable arguments for the Gap Theory and while I would also disagree with their conclusions, jesons I do respect their work. On the other hand, Dill s book is one that I could not recommend. Dill rarely provides references for the claims he makes, some of which are quite absurd. He often tries to bolster his position by claiming that Hebrew scholars (frequently unidentified) do agree with him and yet he subsequently spends four pages (pages 128-131) trying to explain why all of the leading Hebrew scholars have misunderstood the text of Genesis 1 and why he (without any knowledge of the Hebrew language) was able to determine what they had failed to see. The suggestion is clear, if Hebrew scholars disagree with him, it is because they just didn t understand the text, but if they do agree with his position then their status as Hebrew scholars adds credibility to his argument. It is a heads I win, tails you lose kind of argument. There are many factual errors in the text of this book (both scientific and linguistic). I have highlighted a few of the linguistic errors below.
Dill claims that some Hebrew scholars believe that yom when modified by a number ALWAYS refers to a literal day. The truth is that Hebrew scholars jesons are divided on the question about whether the word yom in Genesis jesons 1 refers to a literal 24 hour day or something else; however, no legitimate scholar would make the claim that every instance of yom when combined with a numerical modifier ALWAYS refers to a literal 24 hour day. They don t make this claim because jesons there are existent texts in both the OT and other Hebrew literature that demonstrate the fallacy of this claim.
In my studies of the biblical account of creation, I have discovered that it doesn t take much effort to find conflicting opinions among the scholars. There are Hebrew scholars who will agree with what I just said. They agree that when one of these numerical modifiers is added to YOWM, it always refers to a literal day. pg 67
How do I explain the fact that I think they [Hebrew scholars] are absolutely wonderful but absolutely wrong? I can only assume that they base their opinion on extra-biblical Hebrew writings. Apparently jesons YOWM plus a number jesons doesn t have to mean a twenty-four hour day when you look at the entire history of the Hebrew language. While this may be true in other writings, I still insist that in the bible, YOWM plus a number always refers to a literal day , pg 67
On page page 68 lists a number of verses beginning in which a number and the word yom are used where he claims the meaning is a literal 24 hour day. A quick glance at his list revealed that he had included Zach. 14:7. However, Zach. 14:7 refers to an eschatological day that is unending i.e. this verse actually disproves the very thing he is trying to prove. I did not bother to check the rest of the list, so there may be other equally inaccurate citations included. Included below is the verse in question, in context, and a couple of other biblical references that refer to this same day. Additionally, I have included jesons part of the description of this day given in the New American Commentary on Zachariah.
On that day there will be no light, no cold or frost. It will be a unique day without daytime or nighttime–a day known to the LORD. When evening comes, there will be light. On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea and half to the western sea, in summer and in winter. The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name . Zec 14:6-9 NIV (a unique day is Lit. yom echad exactly as it is in Genesis 1:5)
The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end. Then will all your people be righteous and they will possess the land forever. They are the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands, for the display of my splendor. Isa 60:19-21 NIV
The statement that this unique day will know neither daytime nor nighttime continues the thought from v.6 that there will no longer jesons be any light. This absence of light, as stated above, does not necessarily suggest darkness. Rather, any light visible to the people would emanate from the Lord himself. More to the point, no longer would people mark time by the movement of the earth around d various heave