Language:
English
Year of publication:
2020
Titel der Quelle:
Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research
Angaben zur Quelle:
384 (2020) 133-158
Keywords:
Inscriptions, Sinaitic
;
Semitic languages, Northwest
;
Serabit al-Khadim (Egypt) Antiquities
Abstract:
This paper proposes a revised interpretation of the recurring sequence ḏ t b ṯ n m ṯ found in the early alphabetic inscriptions from Serabit el-Khadem, an Egyptian turquoise mining facility located in the Sinai Peninsula. I argue that this sequence combines with the well-known phrase m(ʾ)hb(b)ʿlt “beloved of the Lady” in Sinai 351, 353, 360, and 361 to form a memorial formula meaning “Beloved of the Lady are those who tell people about Māṯ.” It thus expresses a sentiment similar to contemporaneous Egyptian inscriptions from Serabit el-Khadem: the author of the inscriptions—in this case Māṯ—asks the reader to perform some action on his behalf. In return, he assures the reader that they will be beloved of the Lady (i.e., Hathor, the patron goddess of the mining district).
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