An Arslan Tash Incantation: Interpretations and Implications

The Arslan Tash plaques first came to light in Syria in 1933. These two small limestone pieces date from the seventh century B.C.E. Both bear reliefs of demons and contain incantations written in an Aramaic script. The larger of the two plaques was originally published in 1939 while the second did n...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hebrew Union College annual / Jewish Institute of Religion
Main Author: Sperling, S. David 1941- (Author)
Format: Print Article
Language:English
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Published: College 1982
In: Hebrew Union College annual / Jewish Institute of Religion
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Arameans / Inscription
RelBib Classification:TC Pre-Christian history ; Ancient Near East
Further subjects:B Conjuration
Parallel Edition:Electronic
Description
Summary:The Arslan Tash plaques first came to light in Syria in 1933. These two small limestone pieces date from the seventh century B.C.E. Both bear reliefs of demons and contain incantations written in an Aramaic script. The larger of the two plaques was originally published in 1939 while the second did not appear until 1971. The present paper attempts to resolve some of the scholarly controversies over the main inscription of the larger plaque. It is argued that Ginsberg correctly designated the language of composition as "a special variety of Standard Phoenician." Some new readings are suggested, a new translation of the inscription is offered and attention is drawn to parallels in related ancient Semitic literature. Finally, the paper discusses briefly some implications for biblical studies of the covenant terminology employed by the writer of the incantation.
ISSN:0360-9049
Contains:In: Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Hebrew Union College annual / Jewish Institute of Religion