Journal for Semitics, vol 6/2, 1994
1 Word order variation of the verbal sentences in Amqi Akkadian, pp 117-153
J P van der Westhuizen
Abstract The ongoing internal and external turmoil in Syria-Palestine during the late bronze age was the reason for the correspondence between the vassals of this area and their sovereign, the pharaoh of Egypt. These letters were written by scribes, in the WPA (Western Peripheral Akkadian) dialect, a Peripheral Akkadian (PA) dialect with some West Semitic (WS) trends.
One such trend is the word order, and its variation, in verbal sentences. This variation in word order was to effect some special emphasis of the appropriate element in the specific sentence. The variation in word order was brought about by certain (emphasizing) words and constructions such as anuma, šanita, inuma, and amurmi; subject fronting and object fronting; parallel sentence arrangement and chiastic sentence arrangement.
Yet, even this word order and its variation are not consistent. The investigation of word order and its variation in the verbal sentences of the Amqi Amarna letters shows that these letters - even those with identical content - must have been written by different scribes. This leads to the conclusion that each vassal must have had more than one scribe to cope with all his correspondence.
Prof J P van der Westhuizen
University of South Africa
Department of Semitics
PO Box 392
Pretoria 0001
South Africa
E-mail: vdwesjp @ alpha.unisa.ac.za
2 A comparison between the avenging angel of 1 Ch 21 and analogous "angel-like" figures in the Ugaritic Ba'al cycle, pp 154-169A A da Silva
AbstractThe aim of this article is to prove that the avenging angel of 1 Chronicles 21:15-19 is a survival of an old mythological motif. This goal is achieved, first, by proving, through a comparison of the characteristics and functions of Old Testament angels with those of the angel-like figures in the myths of Israel's neighbours, that the Old Testament concept of angels can generally be regarded as a survival of a mythological concept. Second, it is proved by making a similar comparison between the avenging angel of 1 Chronicles 21 and its counterparts in the Ugaritic Ba`al cycle and the Keret epic.
Prof A A da Silva
Department of Ancient Languages
University of Pretoria
Pretoria 0002
South Africa
3 Old Testament translation and lexicographical practice, pp 170-179J C Lübbe
AbstractFrom the earliest translations of the Old Testament to the most modern, the primary aim of the translators has been clarity and accuracy of translation. The development of Old Testament lexicography does not reflect the same primary concern, however. The concern of Old Testament dictionaries of more recent generations reflects rather a concern with diachronic matters of the vocabulary of Classical Hebrew. How has such a conflict of interests apparently affected modern translations?
Prof J C Lübbe
University of South Africa
Department of Semitics
PO Box 392
Pretoria 0001
South Africa
4 Partisipiale relatiefsinne in Esra, Nehemia en Kronieke, pp 180-191W C van Wyk
AbstractAlthough it is common knowledge that participles are often used to introduce relative clauses in Biblical Hebrew, these participial relative clauses have not yet been syntactically analysed and compared to other relative clauses. The present article sets out to analyse participial relative clauses in Ezra, Nehemiah and Chronicles, and comes to the conclusion that these clauses are subject to only one syntactical restriction not applicable to other relative clauses: the subject of a participial relative clause is always identical with the antecedent thereof. Apart from this restriction no syntactical reasons can be given for the choice of a particular relative construction in a specific context.
Ds W C van Wyk (jr)
Departement Semitiese Tale
Randse Afrikaanse Universiteit
Posbus 524
Aucklandpark
Roodeport 2006
SUID-AFRIKA
5 The origin of the Syriac apocryphal Psalm 153, pp 192-200H F van Rooy
AbstractA survey is given of research on the Syriac apocryphal Psalm 153. As is the case with Psalm 152, a Hebrew Vorlage of this psalm does not form part of the Psalms Scroll from Qumran. That scroll does, however, contain Hebrew versions of Psalms 151, 154 and 155. The variants in the different Syriac manuscripts are discussed, demonstrating that all the variants can be regarded as the result of the inner Syriac transmission. The psalm is retroverted in Hebrew and the problems in this regard are discussed. This psalm is an individual lament. The possibility of the existence of a Hebrew Vorlage is discussed and it is concluded that such a Vorlage is a distinct possibility, with an origin for the psalm in the late Persian, early Hellenistic era.
Prof H F van Rooy
Department of Classics and Semitics
Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education
Potchefstroom 2520
South Africa
6 The use of information technology in studying biblical languages, pp 201-230T J D Bothma
AbstractComputer technology is applied extensively to biblical studies and many programs are available for all different categories of people interested in the Bible. This paper argues that text databases which offer additional features, such as links to morphological analyses or lexica, should influence the teaching of biblical languages. However, linguistic information in these databases is at present very limited and should be expanded to include the full spectrum of linguistic knowledge. Linguistic databases, developed specifically for researchers, should be integrated with concordance software, online grammars, etc., as well as cultural- historical material, to create a comprehensive biblical information system.
Existing information should be included in such a system, but in converting paper documents to electronic publications, value should be added to the products by means of creating sophisticated methods of access and by integrating the material with other sources. Problems of compatibility and standardization are also briefly addressed.
Prof Theo J D Bothma
Dept of Information Science
University of Pretoria
Pretoria
0002
South Africa
E-mail: bothma @ libarts.up.ac.za
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