• The Value of Egyptian Aramaic for Biblical Studies

    Author(s):
    Collin Cornell (see profile)
    Date:
    2022
    Group(s):
    Ancient Jew Review, Biblical Studies, Hebrew Bible / Old Testament
    Subject(s):
    Egypt--Elephantine, Aramaic language, Bible. Psalms, Bible. Old Testament, Bible. Haggai, Achaemenid dynasty, 559-330 B.C., Egypt
    Item Type:
    Online publication
    Permanent URL:
    https://doi.org/10.17613/zzpw-t963
    Abstract:
    Biblical Aramaic accounts for a small fraction within the two-testament Christian Bible. Studying it would seem therefore to present a modest value for biblical studies, and Egyptian Aramaic, a nonbiblical counterpart from the same historical era, even more so. The present article argues, however, that comparing Egyptian Aramaic with biblical texts sharpens understanding of the Bible’s distinctive theological profile. It demonstrates the value of Egyptian Aramaic through two comparative case studies: the first is lexically-focused and traces the contrast between “former” (as in, “former times”; Hebrew ראשון//Aramaic √קדם (and “latter” in Haggai and in several Aramaic letters from the Egyptian island of Elephantine. The second is more genrefocused and engages with the transmission of royal traditions, especially promissory oracles to the king, in post-monarchic texts: namely, biblical royal psalms and the Egyptian Aramaic Papyrus Amherst 63.
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    Published as:
    Online publication     Show details
    Pub. URL:
    https://jbtsonline.org/the-value-of-egyptian-aramaic-for-biblical-studies-by-collin-cornell/
    Publisher:
    Journal of Biblical and Theological Studies
    Pub. Date:
    2022
    Website:
    https://jbtsonline.org/the-value-of-egyptian-aramaic-for-biblical-studies-by-collin-cornell/
    Status:
    Published
    Last Updated:
    1 year ago
    License:
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