Journal of Semitic Studies - recent issues

Wechselwirkung Von Vokalen Und Gutturalen Im Semitischen Unter Dem Einfluss Anderer Sprachen: Die Beispiele Des Akkadischen Und Hebraischen

Keetman, J. — 2009-03-16

In this article it is argued that the sound shifts (*ai >) e > i and pharyngeal + a > e > e (both long and short) from Imperial Akkadian to Old Babylonian prove the existence of two vowel qualities of e in Imperial Akkadian. This may well be explained if we regard the second sound shift as the shift of the pressing of the pharynx from a consonant to a vowel, probably under Sumerian influence, resulting in a vowel near a, like German ä, which may have existed in Sumerian. While in Akkadian some consonants where lost but left an imprint on the vowels, in Hebrew auxiliary vowels evolved which sustained the pronunciation of nearly the same consonants. While Akkadian made a compromise, Hebrew resisted when its daily use faded or was even reconstructed in some communities in antiquity.

The Development of the Semitic Definite Article: A Syntactic Approach

Pat-El, N. — 2009-03-16

This paper aims at explaining the development of the Semitic definite article through an examination of its attested syntactical features. The paper will try to show that the original function of the definite article was not to mark definiteness, that it was first attached to the attribute, not the noun, and that only later was it transferred to the noun and interpreted as an article.

A Proposal to Read the Legend of a Seal-Amulet from Deir Rifa, Egypt as an Early West Semitic Alphabetic Inscription

Hamilton, G. J. — 2009-03-16

The legend of a seal-amulet, UC 51354, from Deir Rifa, Egypt remains unclassified. Here the case is made that it is written in Proto-Canaanite alphabetic script and reads as a short West Semitic text indicating the name and title of its owner.

Theme and Variation in Psalm 111: Phrase and Foot in Generative-Metrical Perspective

Decaen, V. — 2009-03-16

This programmatic paper approaches the metre of biblical poetry as a problem in generative metrics. Recalling the earlier proposal of Kurylowicz (1972, 1975), it is argued that the organizational principles of the Tiberian liturgical chant (syllable, foot, and, crucially, phonological phrase) are also the metrical principles of biblical poetry — or at least that of Job, Proverbs and a fair portion of the Psalms. When the musical transformations of the poetic accent system are taken into account, Psalm 111 conforms to Kurylowicz's 2+2 phrases per verse. However, the 2+2 analysis only scratches the surface: the distribution of foot-, word- and line-types in Psalm 111 is also regulated by prosodic principles.

Word Order and Information Structure in Ruth and Jonah: A Generative-Typological Analysis

Holmstedt, R. D. — 2009-03-16

The relationship between syntax and information structure is an increasingly popular subject of research within Biblical Hebrew studies. However, there exist two asymmetries within current approaches taken as a whole: first, the only theoretical linguistic frameworks employed are situated somewhere within the functional approach to linguistics (in contrast with formal, and specifically, generative approaches); second, a Verb-Subject typological classification for Biblical Hebrew is assumed without empirical justification. Yet, the relationship between syntax and semantics, on the one hand, and pragmatics, on the other, is primarily unidirectional; in other words, pragmatics necessarily accesses the syntactic and semantic features of a text, but not vice versa. It stands to reason, then, that any model of information structure can only be as accurate as the syntactic and semantic model upon which it builds. This study presents a typological and generative linguistic analysis of the data in Ruth and Jonah, an Subject-Verb classificiation for Biblical Hebrew and an Subject-Verb based model of information structure.

Notes Sur Les Inscriptions Neo-Puniques De Henchir Medeina (Althiburos)

Bron, F. — 2009-03-16

Nouvelle étude de l'inscription néo-punique de Henchir Medeina = Althiburos (KAI 159), suivie de notes sur la bilingue latine et néopunique provenant du même site (KAI 160).

The Modality of Sarik in Tannaitic Hebrew

Novick, T. — 2009-03-16

The Paper argues that the word sarîk in tannaitic Hebrew does not, despite claims to the contrary, indicate permissibility. Analysis of apparent counter-examples illustrates the relationship between teleological necessity and weak deontic obligation.

Talmudic Aramaic Fauna Names: Murzema and Shaqitna

Raiskin, S. — 2009-03-16

This article investigates the origin and meaning of the Aramaic fauna names murzema and shaqitna, mentioned in the Babylonian Talmud (Tractate Hullin, p. 63a). Beginning with Akkadian and Sumerian, the article surveys various roots in Semitic languages, as well as Persian. Various commentaries on the Talmud as well as seveal more contemporary sources indicate that the two birds can both be identified as the Greater Flamingo. The final part of the article concludes that the murzema is indeed the Greater Flamingo, which was called by hunters in Arabic al-mirzam.

A Newly Reconstructed Karaite Work on Hebrew Grammar

Vidro, N. — 2009-03-16

Karaite grammatical thought originated in the ninth or even the eighth century CE. It had its roots in Masoretic literature and in the Arabic tradition of grammar. Scholarly study of Karaite grammatical tradition was given new impetus when the second Firkovitch Collection held in the National Library of Russia in St Petersburg and containing the majority of extant Karaite linguistic manuscripts became open to international scholars. Hitherto a number of Karaite grammatical treatises have been edited and the origins, periodization and characteristic features of this tradition studied. Yet further surviving treatises must be reconstructed and grammatical concepts investigated in more detail before a complete account of the Karaite linguistic teachings can be given.

This article reconstructs from unpublished manuscripts the Karaite grammatical treatise Kitab al-uqud fi tasarif al-lugha al-ibraniyya traditionally attributed to Abu al-Faraj Harun. The newly reconstructed text shows that Kitab al-uqud was not composed by Abu al-Faraj Harun and must presently be considered anonymous. Additionally, it provides evidence that the word uqud here is a previously unknown technical term meaning ‘derivational relations, rules’ rather than ‘pearl-strings’ as was suggested before.

The Introduction of Sergius of Reshlhringaina to Galen's Commentary on Hippocrates' On Nutriment

Bos, G., Langermann, Y. T. — 2009-03-16

MS New York, Jewish Theological Seminary of America 2761, preserves an Arabic version in Hebrew characters of Galen's commentary to Hippocrates On foods, including an introduction by Sergius of Reshaina, who translated the Greek into Syriac. Neither this translation nor the introduction had been known to exist. The introduction, which follows the canonical eight-fold formula of accessores ad auctores, is an extremely rich document for the history of commentaries to scientific texts. Sergius’ observations on the similarities in elusive writing between Hippocrates and Plato are particularly interesting.

Origin and Classification of the Ancient South Arabian Languages

Avanzini, A. — 2009-03-16

ASA (= Ancient South Arabian) documentation is testimony to a lengthy linguistic history in southern Arabia which predates the earliest written attestations. The hypothesis attributing the origin of ASA culture to immigration from the north is hard to endorse. The QAT (= Qatabanic) verb system and ASA more in general have strong parallels with the verb system of the north west of the second millennium. Just as the hypothesis of a recent wave of immigration to south Arabia is open to debate, so must the general idea of an ASA belonging to central Semitic as opposed to archaic southern Semitic be reexamined.

GARTH FOWDEN, Qusayr lhringAmra: Art and the Umayyad Elite in Late Antique Syria (The transformation of the classical heritage 36).

Marsham, A. — 2009-03-16

The Functions of the Preposition K- in Mehri

Rubin, A. D. — 2009-03-16

The Mehri preposition k- ‘with’ is used in a variety of idiomatic functions, some of which are not fully treated in, or are absent from, the exisiting grammatical sketches of Mehri. These include expressions of possession, of physical or environmental conditions, and of time. Not only is a description of these important for our understanding of Mehri, but some of these idioms, due to their peculiar nature, are also valuable for cross-linguistic study.

From Conventional to Personal, or: What Happened to Metaphor Under the Influence of Ideology - the Case of Gharhringib TulhringMa Farman

Peled-Shapira, H. — 2009-03-16

This article discusses metaphors derived from the animal world, and used to describe relations between intellectuals and the authorities in mid-twentieth-century Iraq, against the backdrop of the conservative and conformist use of metaphor in Classical Arabic literature. The topic in question is examined through the narrative works of the twentieth-century exiled Iraqi Communist writer Ghaib Tuma Farman (1927–90), who used animal metaphors as an artistic device through which he depicted himself as a Leftist intellectual persecuted by the government. The examples from Farman's own works are considered in light of the use which other twentieth-century Arab writers make of animal metaphors, and the artistic needs which the latter serve.

GEORGES BOHAS and MIHAI DAT, Une theorie de l'organisation du lexique des langues semitiques: matrices et etymons (Collection Langages). * PHILIPPE CASSUTO and PIERRE LARCHER (eds), La formation des mots dans les langues semitiques (Langues et langage 15).

Lipinski, E. — 2009-03-16

AARON D. RUBIN, Studies in Semitic Grammaticalization (Harvard Semitic Studies 57).

Stec, D. M — 2009-03-16

JEAN-JACQUES GLASSNER. Translated and edited by ZAINAB BAHRANI and MARC VAN DE MIEROOP, The Invention of Cuneiform: Writing in Sumer.

Taylor, J. — 2009-03-16

J.A. HALLORAN, Sumerian Lexicon: A Dictionary Guide to the Ancient Sumerian Language.

Postgate, J.N. — 2009-03-16

STEFANIE U. GULDE, Der Tod als Herrscher in Ugarit und Israel (Forschungen zum Alten Testament 2 Reihe 22).

Watson, W. G.E. — 2009-03-16

HALLVARD HAGELIA, The Tel Dan Inscription: A Critical Investigation of Recent Research on its Palaeography and Philology (Studia Semitica Upsalensia 22).

Becking, B. — 2009-03-16

ERNST JENNI, Studien zur Sprachwelt des Alten Testaments II.

Baasten, M. F.J. — 2009-03-16

ROBERT D. MILLER II S.F.O., Chieftains of the Highland Clans: a History of Israel in the 12th and 11th Centuries B.C. (The Bible in its World). * ANN E. KILLEBREW, Biblical Peoples and Ethnicity: an Archaeological Study of Egyptians, Canaanites, Philistines, and Early Israel 1300-1000 B.C.E. (Society of Biblical Literature Archaeology and Biblical Studies 9).

Van Der Steen, E. J. — 2009-03-16

BERNARD S. JACKSON, Wisdom Laws: A Study of the Mishpatim of Exodus 21:1- 22:16.

Stackert, J. — 2009-03-16

HILARY LIPKA, Sexual Transgression in the Hebrew Bible.

Williams, J. — 2009-03-16

KEVIN A. WILSON, The Campaign of Pharaoh Shoshenq I into Palestine. (Forschungen zum Alten Testament, 2. Reihe, 9).

Kitchen, K.A. — 2009-03-16

THOMAS B. DOZEMAN and KONRAD SCHMID (eds), A Farewell to the Yahwist? The Composition of the Pentateuch in Recent European Interpretation (Society of Biblical Literature Symposium Series 34).

Johnstone, W. — 2009-03-16

ALICE HUNT, Missing Priests: The Zadokites in Tradition and History (Library of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Studies 452).

Rooke, D. — 2009-03-16

LENA-SOFIA TIEMEYER, Priestly Rites and Prophetic Rage: Post-Exilic Prophetic Critique of the Priesthood (Forschungen zum Alten Testament 2. Reihe 19).

Rooke, D. — 2009-03-16

NICHOLAS P. LUNN, Word-Order Variation in Biblical Hebrew Poetry: Differentiating Pragmatics and Poetics (Paternoster Biblical Monographs).

Holmstedt, R. D. — 2009-03-16

D. GOODBLATT, Elements of Ancient Jewish Nationalism.

Mendels, D. — 2009-03-16

BEVERLY P. MORTENSEN, The Priesthood in Targum Pseudo-Jonathan: Renewing the Profession (Studies in Aramaic Interpretation of Scripture).

Lasair, S. A. — 2009-03-16

ALEXANDER SAMELY, Forms of Rabbinic Literature and Thought: An Introduction.

Stemberger, G. — 2009-03-16

EMANUELA TREVISAN SEMI, Jacques Faitlovitch and the Jews of Ethiopia.

Kaplan, S. — 2009-03-16

ALESSANDRO BAUSI e ALESSANDRO GORI, Tradizioni orientali del >. La prima recensione Araba e la versione Etiopica. Edizione critica e traduzione.

Knibb, M. A. — 2009-03-16

JOHN C. LAMOREAUX (translator), Theodore Abu Qurrah (Library of the Christian East 1).

Goddard, H. — 2009-03-16

PAUL STARKEY, Modern Arabic Literature.

Elad-Bouskila, A. — 2009-03-16

STEVEN E. FASSBERG and A. HURVITZ, (eds), Biblical Hebrew in its Northwest Semitic Setting: Typological and Historical Perspectives (Publication of the Institute for Advanced Studies 1, The Hebrew University Jerusalem).

Healey, J. F. — 2009-03-16

HELENE LOZACHMEUR, La Collection Clermont-Ganneau: ostraca, epigraphes sur jarre, etiquettes de bois (Memoires de l'Academie des Inscriptions et Belles-lettres 35).

Healey, J. F. — 2009-03-16

KAREL JONGELING, and ROBERT M. KERR, Late Punic Epigraphy: an Introduction to the Study of Neo-Punic and Latino-Punic Inscriptions.

Healey, J. F. — 2009-03-16

JEAN-CLAUDE HAELEWYCK, Grammaire comparee des langues semitiques: elements de phonetique, de morphologies et de syntaxe (Langues et cultures anciennes 7).

Healey, J. F. — 2009-03-16

SUSANNE SCHOLZ, Introducing the Women's Hebrew Bible (Introductions in Feminist Theory 13).

Rooke, D. — 2009-03-16

Is The Choice of {Pi}AP{Theta}ENO{Sigma} in LXX Isa. 7:14 Theologically Motivated?

De Sousa, R. — 2008-08-27

This paper examines the claim that the translation of by eacgro in LXX Isa. 7:14 bears the marks of a theologically purposeful deviation, transforming the more neutral term ‘young woman’ into the more specific eacgro ‘virgin’. Our main thesis is that definite borders between the meanings ‘young woman’ and ‘virgin’are difficult to ascertain both in Hebrew and in Greek, so that determining whether the LXX translation has a special theological significance is a difficult, if not impossible, task. In the paper, we first survey the occurrences of eacgro in LXX Isaiah. We then move to an evaluation of some contemporary explanations of the use of the term in 7:14. After this evaluation we explore the ranges of meaning and significance of the terms eacgro, , and , including some notes on their representation in the LXX. On the basis of this analysis we offer our own suggestion on how best to approach the choice of eacgro as a translational equivalent for .

Independent Elements in the Verbal System of Maskilic Hebrew Fiction

Kahn, L. O. — 2008-08-27

This paper examines the ways in which the verbal system of Maskilic Hebrew prose fiction written between 1857 and 1878 is independent of its biblical and rabbinic antecedents. It proposes that some Maskilic verbal features are entirely without precedent in the canonical sources, and that many others with biblical or rabbinic counterparts are employed in an original manner. It first surveys independent Maskilic verbal morphology. This consists of the long yiqtol form, apocopated unconverted yiqtol, unapocopated wayyiqtol and infinitive construct of verbs with yod and nun as their initial root letter. It then analyses original Maskilic syntactic phenomena. These include the treatment of the wayyiqtol and weqatal, the use of the particles and in combination with the infinitive construct, real conditional constructions and constituent order. Examples from texts by P.Smolenskin, Y.L. Gordon, A. Mapu, I.M. Dick and D. Frischmann are used to illustrate these points.

'mlhringwwda lhringla Hitlir l-khnzir': An Anonymous story in Moroccan Judaeo-Arabic

Rosenhouse, J., Moonen, H. — 2008-08-27

The paper analyses an anonymous story (appended to the paper, in English translation) from several literary and linguistic aspects. The text mocks at Hitler and his deputy Goebbels by a story of the joke genre, with a poignant ‘punch line’. The story also shows the hostile attitude of Germans to Jews. In addition, it contains implied elements of sexual tension related to the actions and behaviour of Hitler and Goebbels. From the linguistic analysis of the text it is clear that it is a Moroccan Judaeo-Arabic text, written in square Hebrew (print) letters. The manuscript includes three illustrations. We discuss the background of Moroccan Jews and their literature in that period. The text raises the assumption that it was at least aided by someone who knew the language well and might have been influenced by English. These facts lead to a suggestion concerning the source of this story.

lhringAli, Muhammad, and the ansar:the Issue of Succession

Yazigi, M. — 2008-08-27

This article investigates the nature of the support that the ansar showed towards Ali and Muhammad respectively, and whether it could in either case have been based on kinship. In particular, it considers whether the ansar were likely to have supported Ali for the succession at the death of Muhammad, and if so, whether their support for him would have been based on their kinship to him. The article argues that kinship could not have been a factor in the support that the ansar showed towards Muhammad at the time of his move to Yathrib, and could not have motivated the ansar in favour of Ali at the time of the death of Muhammad. It maintains instead that the ansar's later affinity towards Ali stemmed from their worsening circumstances over the period of the early caliphate, and from the feelings of frustration and alienation they came to share with him.

Some Remedies from Hubais AL-Alhringsam

Kahl, O. — 2008-08-27

This article deals with eight remedies from an otherwise lost pharmacological work of the Christian Arab translator-physician Hubais al-Asam ad-Dimasqi (fl. second half of third/ninth century). The remedies, preserved as quotations in ar-Razis (d. 313/925 or 323/935) medical encyclopedia al-Hawi, are re-edited here, translated into English, and supplemented by an index of botanical names.

Zarqa' al-Yamama in the Modern Arabic Poetry, A Comparative Reading

Khoury, J. — 2008-08-27

Since the beginning of the 1950s Arabic poets have demonstrated a clear, sometimes even excessive, predilection for legendary characters and events in their writings, occasionally resulting in obscurity. This tendency helped to raise the level of dramatic expression in poetry, at the expense of musicality and rhythm. With time the narrative nature of poetic writing became ever more clearly a salient feature in the evolution of Arabic poetry, accompanied by important stylistic, artistic and formal changes as well. Simultaneously with these changes interest grew in folk literature, various aspects of which, especially folktales, imposed themselves as one of the most vital and significant sources of Arabic poetry. A number of poets took inspiration from these tales, or from some of their characters, and turned them into instruments of artistic expression. Among the most prominent of these poets we may count Amal Dunqul and Izz al-Din al-Manasra.The present study presents a comparative reading of poems written by these two writers, with a focus on uncovering the folk elements in them, providing an analysis of the artistic features of each poem, and inquiring into the extent to which folktale and folktale techniques entered into their overall artistic structure. A thorough investigation has revealed that al-Manasra pioneered the literary use of the character of Zarqa' al-Yamama as a pivotal element in the text, something which no modern Arab poet did before him. He was followed in this by Amal Dunqul with his poem ‘Crying before Zarqa' al-Yamama’ (al-Buka bayna yaday Zarqa al-Yamam), which became better-known than the poem of his predecessor.

LUTZ EDZARD and JAN RETSO (eds), Current Issues in the Analysis of Semitic Grammar and Lexicon I: Oslo-Goteborg Cooperation 3rd-5th June 2004

Lipinski, E. — 2008-08-27

MARTHA ROTH (ed.), The Assyrian Dictionary: Volume 12 P

Taylor, J. — 2008-08-27

JEAN-JACQUES GLASSNER (edited by Benjamin R. Foster), Mesopotamian Chronicles

Millard, A. — 2008-08-27

REBECCA WATSON, Chaos Uncreated: a Reassessment of "Chaos" in the Hebrew Bible

Wyatt, N. — 2008-08-27

EHUD BEN ZVI, Hosea: The Forms of the Old Testament Literature

Macintosh, A.A. — 2008-08-27

BRAD E. KELLE, Hosea 2: Metaphor and Rhetoric in Historical Perspective

Macintosh, A.A. — 2008-08-27

JILL MIDDLEMAS, The Troubles of Templeless Judah

Barstad, H. M. — 2008-08-27

BENJAMIN G. WRIGHT III AND LAWRENCE M. WILLS (eds), Conflicted Boundaries in Wisdom and Apocalypticism

Corley, J. — 2008-08-27

DAVID R. JACKSON, Enochic Judaism: Three Defining Paradigm Exemplars

Peters, D. M. — 2008-08-27

DARLENE BIRD and YVONNE SHERWOOD (eds), Bodies in Question: Gender, Religion, Text.

Williams, J. — 2008-08-27

GEORGES BOHAS, Les bgdkpt en Syriaque: selon Bar Zolhringbi

Volkmer, J. A. — 2008-08-27

JOHN W. WATT, with the assistance of DANIEL ISAAC, JULIAN FAULTLESS and AYMAN SHIHADEH, Aristotelian Rhetoric in Syriac. Barhebraeus, Butyrum Sapientiae, Book of Rhetoric

Brock, S. — 2008-08-27

BOGDAN BURTEA, Das mandaische Fest der Schalttage. Edition, Ubersetzung und Kommentierung der Handschrift DC 24 Sarh d-paruanaiia. Mit einer CD-ROM der Handschrift

Buckley, J. J. — 2008-08-27

NEHEMIAH ALLONY, The Jewish Library in the Middle Ages -- Book Lists from the Cairo Genizah, Edited by Miriam Frenkel and Haggai Ben-Shammai, with the participation of Moshe Sokolow.

Campbell, S. — 2008-08-27

AARON D. RUBIN (trans. and ed.), Samuel David Luzzatto: Prolegomena to a Grammar of the Hebrew Language.

Reif, S. C. — 2008-08-27

ELISABETH OZDALGA (ed.), The Last Dragoman: The Swedish Orientalist Johannes Kolmodin as Scholar, Activist and Diplomat

Larsson, G. — 2008-08-27

BRANNON WHEELER, Mecca and Eden: Ritual, Relics, and Territory in Islam.

Melchert, C. — 2008-08-27

SAMI BOUDELAA (ed.). Perspectives on Arabic Linguistics XVI

Watson, J. C.E. — 2008-08-27

KRISTIN ZAHRA SAND, Sufi Commentaries on the Qur'an in Classical Islam

Saleh, W. — 2008-08-27

RUDI PAUL LINDNER, Explorations in Ottoman Pre-History.

Imber, C. — 2008-08-27

ABDULLAH SAEED, Interpreting the Qur'an: Towards a Contemporary Approach.

Zirker, H. — 2008-08-27

DAVID TSUMURA, Creation and Destruction: A Reappraisal of the Chaoskampf Theory in the Old Testament.

Angel, A. — 2008-08-27

MARIA GOREA, Job: ses precurseurs et ses epigones ou comment faire du nouveau avec de l'ancien

Haralambakis, M. — 2008-08-27

RICHARD A. HORSLEY, Scribes, Visionaries, and the Politics of Second Temple Judea.

Brooke, G. J. — 2008-08-27

CAROL A. DRAY, Translation and Interpretation in the Targum to the Books of Kings

Stec, D. M. — 2008-08-27

HANS-GEORG VON MUTIUS, Die Hebraischen Bibelzitate beim englischen Scholastiker Odo: Versuch einer Revaluation

Brooke, G. J. — 2008-08-27

OLIVER LEAMAN, Jewish Thought: An Introduction

Junkermann, P. — 2008-08-27

RAINER VOIGT (ed.), Die athiopischen Studien im 20. Jahrhundert / Ethiopian Studies in the 20th Century: Akten der internationalen athiopischen Tagung Berlin 22. bis 24. Juli 2000

Knibb, M. — 2008-08-27

Books Received

2008-08-27

Index

2008-08-27

On Some Alleged Developments of the Proto-Semitic Phoneme /t/ in Iron Age Canaanite Dialects

Bloch, Y. — 2008-04-11

This article takes issue with two proposals made in recent scholarship concerning the development of the Proto-Semitic phoneme /t/ in Iron Age Canaanite dialects: 1) retention of this phoneme in the dialects of Transjordan, and 2) its merger with the phoneme /t/ in the Hebrew of northern Cisjordan. The article argues that both proposals are untenable. Proposal (1) is based on a problematic interpretation of Judg. 12:5–6 and of the spellings of an Ammonite royal name in an Ammonite seal impression (b‘lys‘) and in Jer. 40:14 (Ba‘alîs). Moreover, this proposal is contradicted by the evidence of Neo-Assyrian spellings of Transjordanian proper names, which testify to the merger of /t/ with /s/: uruAs-tar-tu (the city of Ashtaroth) and likely also mBa-a'-sa (a royal name which is argued to derive from the original root b‘t). Proposal (2) is contradicted by the evidence of Hebrew inscriptions from northern Cisjordan, which consistently render the Proto-Semitic /t/ with the letter s. It is possible that the phoneme /t/ was initially retained in the Hebrew of northern Cisjordan, but there is no positive evidence to support such a possibility. Hence, it is more reasonable to uphold the view that the merger of /t/ with /s/ was characteristic of all Iron Age Canaanite dialects.

The Paradigm Root in Hebrew

Rubin, A. D. — 2008-04-11

In grammars of Hebrew, a variety of different roots have been used in order to illustrate the verbal paradigms. The reasons for choosing one root over another are worthy of examination, and ultimately such an exercise leads to the question of which root is ideal for this purpose. In fact, no one root is ideal, and the choice of paradigm root is ultimately connected with the goals of the individual authors.

The Copular Clause in Jewish Zakho Neo-Aramaic

Cohen, E. — 2008-04-11

This is a description of the complex behaviour and interrelationships of the copular system in Zakho. Substantival and adverbial rhemes, compound tenses (perfect and progressive), as well as presentatives, are all part of this system. In addition the compound tenses are opposed to other verbal forms. The component order is highly relevant in differentiating between the different patterns and allo-patterns of the copular system. Included in the description is a treatment of the copular presentative which poses various problems in this language. The description is texteme-sensitive: there are marked differences in both distribution and function of the different copular expressions (even between different persons of the same copula) depending on supra-clausal conditions, that is, narrative or dialogue. In addition, a particular sub-genre, the personal experience narrative (PEN), has all sorts of peculiarities which are accounted for separately.

A Comparison of the References to Muqatil b. Sulayman (150/767) in the Exegesis of al-Tha 'labi (427/1036) with Muqatil's Own Exegesis

Koc, M. A. — 2008-04-11

Muqatil b. Sulayman's work is the oldest surviving exegesis which comments on the entire Qur'an from the beginning to the end. Analytical comparisons between different manuscripts of this exegesis and the quotations made by the exegetes, who greatly benefited from Muqatil, give us important information about the history of Quranic exegesis. al-Tha ‘labi's references to Muqatil offer valuable data illuminating the role of ‘the changing contents’ of the manuscripts in understanding the history of the exegesis. Changing evaluations and criticism about Muqatil's personality and his opinions show that the history of Quranic exegesis needs to be further critically studied.

A Hospital Handbook for the Community: Evidence for the Extensive Use of Ibn Abi 'l-Bayan's al-Dustur al-bimaristani by the Jewish Practitioners of Medieval Cairo

Lev, E., Chipman, L., Niessen, F. — 2008-04-11

Al-Dustur al-bimaristani by Ibn Abi 'l-Bayan forms an important part of the Arabic tradition of hospital dispensatories and has remained well-known to the traditional practitioners of the Middle East. So far, eleven fragments of the Dustur have been identified in the Taylor-Schechter Genizah Collections at the Cambridge University Library, of which eight are in Arabic script and three are in Judaeo-Arabic. This article discusses the significance of these fragments, particularly those in Judaeo-Arabic. We also provide editions and translations of two of the fragments.

On the Use of the Aspects, Independent Personal Pronouns, Fillers, and Attention Grabbers in Algerian Arabic Oral Narratives

Kaye, A. S. — 2008-04-11

This paper examines, via microlinguistic or micropragmatic textual analysis, the use of the perfect and imperfect aspects, independent personal pronouns, so-called fillers, and attention grabbers, among other interrelated topics related to information flow, in two Algerian Arabic (AA) oral narratives: the first of a mother, and second a father (both from the city of Tbessa, located south of Constantine and close to the Tunisian border) talking to their daughter describing events that occurred in the past. One conclusion offered from an investigation of these stories is that the imperfect contributes to the ‘immediacy’ of the narratives in that they are ‘made’ to take place in the here and now, although the monologue refers to events which have already taken place. This traditional analysis affirms that it is as if the past in the narrative is brought into the present in which it is being told.¹ This is similar to English: ‘So he says to me — he says ...’, in which ‘says’ really means ‘said’.² Another conclusion is that AA can use the perfect that must be translated, according to the context, with the English present tense: fhmti ‘(Do) you understand?’ = ‘(You) see what I'm saying?’ (and not ‘You saw what I'm saying?’). Repetition is another major ingredient of this discourse³ (see Johnstone [1991], although none of the examples in this book are from colloquial Arabic dialects), and many examples of this phenomenon can be adduced in the AA texts that follow.

YUVAL GOREN, ISRAEL FINKELSTEIN and NADAV NA'AMAN, Inscribed in Clay: Provenance Study of the Amarna Tablets and other Ancient Near Eastern Texts

Campbell, S. — 2008-04-11

JEAN-MARC MICHAUD, La Bible et l'heritage d'Ougarit

Watson, W. G.E. — 2008-04-11

SIGURThUR HAFthORSSON, A Passing Power: An Examination of the Sources for the History of Aram-Damascus in the Second Half of the Ninth Century B.C.

Lipinski, E. — 2008-04-11

RICCARDO CONTINI and CRISTIANO GROTTANELLI (eds), Il saggio Ahiqar: Fortuna e trasformazioni di uno scritto sapienziale. Il testo piu antico e le sue versioni

Watson, W. G.E. — 2008-04-11

ROLF P. KNIERIM and GEORGE W. COATS, Numbers

Watson, W. G.E. — 2008-04-11

STEPHEN L. COOK and CORRINE L. PATTON, Ezekiel's Hierarchical World: Wrestling with a Tiered Reality

Clements, R.E. — 2008-04-11

ALICE M. SINNOTT, The Personification of Wisdom

Crenshaw, J. L. — 2008-04-11

GERHARD TAUBERSCHMIDT, Secondary Parallelism: A Study of Translation Technique in LXX Proverbs

Dines, J. — 2008-04-11

GABRIELE BOCCACCINI (ed.) Enoch and Qumran Origins: New Light on a Forgotten Connection.

Peters, D. M. — 2008-04-11

CATHERINE HEZSER, Jewish Slavery in Antiquity

Harrill, J. A. — 2008-04-11

LAWRENCE H. SCHIFFMAN (ed.), Semitic Papyrology in Context. A Climate of Creativity.

Jackson, B.S. — 2008-04-11

SHMUEL SHEPKARU, Jewish Martyrs in the Pagan and Christian Worlds.

Van Henten, J. W. — 2008-04-11

RA'ANAN S. BOUSTAN, From Martyr to Mystic: Rabbinic Martyrology and the Making of Merkavah Mysticism

Davila, J. R. — 2008-04-11

JOHN F. HEALEY, Leshono Suryoyo: First Studies in Syriac

Greenberg, G. — 2008-04-11

DAVID STEC, The Targum of Psalms

Gillingham, S. — 2008-04-11

JEROLD C. FRAKES (ed.), Early Yiddish Texts 1100-1750: With Introduction and Commentary. * JEAN BAUMGARTEN, Introduction to Old Yiddish Literature. Edited and translated by Jerold C. Frakes.

Dreessen, W.-O. — 2008-04-11

DELIA CORTESE and SIMONETTA CALDERINI, Women and the Fatimids in the World of Islam.

Naguib, S. — 2008-04-11

YASIN DUTTON, Original Islam: Malik and the madhhab of Madina

Melchert, C. — 2008-04-11

PATRICIA CRONE, From Kavad to al-Ghazali: Religion, Law and Political Thought in the Near East, c. 600-c. 1100

Newman, A. J. — 2008-04-11

AGUSTINUS GIANTO (ed.), Biblical and Oriental Essays in Memory of William L. Moran

Lambert, W.G. — 2008-04-11

PIETRO MANDER, Canti sumerici d'amore e morte. La vicenda della dea Inanna/Ishtar e del dio Dumuzi/Tammuz

Watson, W.G.E. — 2008-04-11

WILLIAM L. MORAN (Edited by JOHN HUEHNERGARD and SHLOMO IZRE'EL), Amarna Studies: Collected Writings

Lambert, W.G. — 2008-04-11

AGNES TICHIT, Le verbe en hebreu biblique * AGNES TICHIT, Hebreu Biblique: Grammaire de base et introduction aux fetes juives. Textes expliques

Lipinski, E. — 2008-04-11

DOUGLAS A. KNIGHT, Rediscovering the Traditions of Israel3

Brooke, G. J. — 2008-04-11

ROBERT B. CHISHOLM JR., Interpreting the Historical Books: An Exegetical Handbook

Brooke, G. J. — 2008-04-11

CARL S. EHRLICH and MARSHA C. WHITE (eds), Saul in Story and Tradition

Firth, D. — 2008-04-11

WILLIAM G. DEVER, Did God Have a Wife: Archaeology and Folk Religion in Ancient Israel.

Lizius, T. — 2008-04-11

MELVIN K.H. PETERS (ed.), XII Congress of the International Organization for Septuagint and Cognate Studies, Leiden, 2004

Brooke, G. J. — 2008-04-11

DAVID T. RUNIA and GREGORY E. STERLING (eds), The Studia Philonica Annual: Studies in Hellenistic Judaism

Brooke, G. J. — 2008-04-11

LARRY W. HURTADO (ed.), The Freer Biblical Manuscripts: Fresh Studies of an American Treasure Trove

Brooke, G. J. — 2008-04-11

CHRISTINE HELMER with the assistance of CHARLENE T. HIGBE (eds), The Multivalence of Biblical Texts and Theological Meanings

Brooke, G. J. — 2008-04-11

HAROLD W. ATTRIDGE and JAMES C. VANDERKAM (eds), Presidential Voices: The Society of Biblical Literature in the Twentieth Century

Brooke, G. J. — 2008-04-11

MICHAEL WALZER (ed.) Law, Politics, and Morality In Judaism.

Jackson, B.S. — 2008-04-11

JEROME ALAN LUND, The Book of the Laws of Countries: A Dialogue on Free Will Versus Fate. A Key-Word-in-Context Concordance.

Healey, J. F. — 2008-04-11