On some readings & interpretations in the Aramaic incantation bowls & related texts

Matthew Morgenstern, James Nathan Ford

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study takes a new look at a number of obscure passages in the Aramaic incantation bowls and related texts discussed in Christa Müller- Kessler's article "More on puzzling words and spellings in Aramaic incantation bowls and related texts", published in BSOAS 75/1, 2012, 1-31. Among the words discussed are 'wild boar', 'wailing', 'overthrower (type of demon)','burning' and 'protectors', all new to the Jewish Babylonian Aramaic lexicon, 'tusk' and 'broken' sounds of the shofar (as a maleficent force)", which show new meanings for previously attested lexemes, and the new plural form 'maidservants'. Additional evidence for the words or expressions 'attack (a type of demon)', 'help', (a divine epithet), (a type of demon), (a hard metal) and 'shofars (a type of demon)' is also adduced and a preliminary edition of the magic bowl Nippur 12 N 387 is presented.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)191-231
Number of pages41
JournalBulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies
Volume80
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jun 2017

Keywords

  • Aramaic magic bowls
  • Incantation bowls
  • Jewish babylonian aramaic
  • Mandaic
  • Syriac

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