Personal Names in Old Syriac (Edessan Aramaic) Inscriptions and Parchments 9781463242503

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Personal Names in Old Syriac (Edessan Aramaic) Inscriptions and Parchments

Gorgias Eastern Christian Studies

60 Series Editors George Anton Kiraz István Perczel Lorenzo Perrone Samuel Rubenson

Gorgias Eastern Christian Studies brings to the scholarly world the underrepresented field of Eastern Christianity. This series consists of monographs, edited collections, texts and translations of the documents of Eastern Christianity, as well as studies of topics relevant to the world of historic Orthodoxy and early Christianity.

Personal Names in Old Syriac (Edessan Aramaic) Inscriptions and Parchments

Adil H. Al-Jadir

gp 2021

Gorgias Press LLC, 954 River Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA www.gorgiaspress.com 2021 Copyright © by Gorgias Press LLC

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise without the prior written permission of Gorgias Press LLC. ‫ܘ‬

1

2021

ISBN 978-1-4632-4249-7

ISSN 1539-1507

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data A Cataloging-in-Publication Record is available at the Library of Congress. Printed in the United States of America

To Prof. John F. Healey with respect as colleague, friend and teacher

TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface..................................................................................... ix Acknowledgments .................................................................. xiii Abbreviations and Symbols ...................................................... xv Bibliographical Abbreviations .......................................... xv General Abbreviations ...................................................... xv Symbols .........................................................................xvii Introduction.............................................................................. 1 Syriac Language ................................................................ 1 Old Syriac Inscriptions ...................................................... 2 The numbering system ...................................................... 3 Chapter One. Personal Names with Analysis ............................ 5 Conclusions Regarding Affinities of the Names .............. 131 Chapter Two. Lexicon of Personal Names............................. 133 Chapter Three. Discussion of Aspects of Religious Implications in Personal Names ..........................................................147 A brief discussion of the main gods: .............................. 150 Sīn: ............................................................................. 150 Atargatis: ...................................................................... 153 Bēl and Nebō:................................................................ 154 Aziz and Munʿim: .......................................................... 155 NḤY: ............................................................................. 155 Šamaš:........................................................................... 156 Allat: ............................................................................. 156

vii

viii

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

Conclusion ............................................................................ 159 Bibliography ......................................................................... 161 Index .................................................................................... 173

PREFACE The present book uses as its starting-point a part of my thesis submitted to the University of Wales in February 1983 for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. The title of the thesis, available on the British Library thesis website (uk.bl.ethos 353705), is A Comparative Study of the Script, Language and Proper Names of the Old Syiac Inscriptions. The present book is concerned with the personal names found in Professor Han Drijvers’s Old Syriac (Edessean) Inscriptions, 1972 (abbreviation: D), with analysis and parallels (including discussion of lexical elements) as well as discussion of aspects of religious implications in personal names. New personal names appeared in the Syriac corpus published in Drijvers and Healey’s The Old Syriac Inscriptions of Edessa and Osrhoene, (1999) (OSI), and three parchments from the 240s as well as some other inscriptions discovered more recently. All of these are also included here to ensure coverage of all known Old Syriac inscriptions from Edessa and Northern Mesopotamia from the first three centuries CE. The importance of Semitic proper names lies in their linguistic, historical and theological contents. There is special interest in the study of these names, in clarifying to which group of people the names belong and discovering something about their religion. J. Leroy (1957) attempted to classify and study the personal names that occur in the mosaic funerary texts of Edessa. However, the rest of the names in the Old Syriac inscriptions, apart from individual treatments, have not received great attention, though other collections of Aramaic personal names of the same type have received the attention of scholars. Thus: Palmyrene (Stark ix

x

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

1971), Nabataean (al-Khraysheh 1986 and Negev 1991), Hatran (Abbadi 1983 and Marcato 2018). Drijvers (1972) gave a list of the proper names, but without commentary. F. Vattioni (1973) prepared a list of proper names within the general index to an article, though some names are given a different reading from Drijvers. In his notes on the inscriptions Vattioni sometimes mentions name parallels in other Semitic languages, mainly Palmyrene and Hatran Aramaic, but again without giving any detailed or systematic exposition, though in another article Vattioni (1971) comments in more detail on a small number of individual names. Drijvers and Healey published their book OSI in 1999. It contains the vast majority of the Old Syriac inscriptions and three legal parchments from 240s CE. The book provides lists of personal names, month names and geographical names and adjectives indicating geographical or tribal origin. Although the personal names form a part of the comments, detailed discussions and parallels in other Semitic languages (apart of some Aramaic dialects such as Palm., Nab. and Hat.) are not mentioned for all the personal names under consideration. Professor John Healey published his Aramaic Inscriptions and Documents of the Roman Period, one chapter of which deals with early Syriac (Edessan Aramaic) inscriptions and legal parchments, along with a selection of material written on stone and on soft materials in Nabataean and Jewish Aramaic, and of the materials on stone in Palmyrene and Hatran. Some of the personal names in the Syriac section were discussed briefly with parallels but not in a systematic and detailed way. It has become necessary, therefore, to undertake a study which collects methodically all the names in such a way as to enable them to be dealt with from a structural and lexical point of view. In treating personal names in the early Syriac inscriptions and parchments from the first to the third centuries CE, the present work is chiefly concerned, on one hand, with their analysis and linguistic character and, on the other, with comparison with parallels names from other languages or dialects, such as Arabic, Palmyrene, Hatran, Nabataean and Hebrew which in one way or

PREFACE

xi

another may be expected to have had a close relationship with the Edessan names. Collections of names in classical Arabic have been consulted, since it is clear that the majority of the names can be explained through Arabic etymologies. However, though Arabic etymologies and parallels are used, each name has been assessed within the context of ancient Semitic. Foreign personal names (Greek, Latin and Persian) are included, but they are not discussed from the lexical point of view. Nonetheless, the Greek and Latin personal names only refer to Greek and Latin origin. With regard to incomplete names, only those appearing in OSI are included. In the alphabetical list below, the following information is collected and presented: 1. The personal name in Latin and Syriac scripts. 2. Its type, since, as in other Semitic languages, Syriac has names built on sentence and genitive-compound patterns as well as hypocoristic and one-word formations. In some cases, it is not easy to find a plausible etymology, since the name may not be connected to any root or already known name: for this reason the name may be classified as “uncertain”. 3. The meaning of the name, as far as it can be identified. 4. Gender (masculine and feminine). 5. The date of the inscription according to the Christian era (if available). The texts in which the name is attested are arranged in two classes, dated and undated. For the latter there is often an approximate date. 6. Reference is given to the place where the name occurs. 7. The full name if the element under discussion is part of a longer name. 8. Discussion and parallels, as appropriate.

This study also includes the Semitic personal names in the document of sale of a female slave found at Dura-Europos, but written in Edessa, as well as two other published Syriac legal texts from the third century CE found in the Middle Euphrates area, probably near Dura-Europos (OSI, Appendix 1), but originating from Marcopolis near Edessa. In the same cache of texts there are

xii

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

others which are in Greek, but have Syriac/Aramaic signatures and subscriptions, these are all fully published in articles (see: Feissel and Gascou 1995, 65-119; Feissel and Gascou 2000, 157208; Feissel, Gascou and Teixidor 1997, 3-57).

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS A special debt of gratitude and appreciations are due to Prof. John F. Healey who has generously helped me in my work on this book, with advice and suggestions or by sending recent offprints, or drawn my attention to important publications and unpublished material. He also read the entire manuscript with a view to improving the English. My cordial thanks are due to colleagues and friends for their help, particularly Mr Bahaa al-Jubouri, University of Baghdad, Dr Rafe Harahshah, Jordan, Dr Abdullah Makyash and Dr Fahmi Hassan, University of Aden, Yemen. I am grateful to Professor Mehmet Önal of Harran University, Şanlıurfa, Turkey, for his permission to use the photograph which appears on the cover of this book. I owe a special debt of gratitude to Gorgias Press for having been willing to publish this book. I wish to express my thanks especially to Dr George A. Kiraz, Editor-in-Chief, Dr Melonie Schmierer, Senior Acquisitions Editor, Dr Brice C. Jones, Acquisitions Editor, and Dr Tuomas Rasimus, Production Editor, for their ever-ready help. I am further indebted to the reviewers for the comments which led to significant improvements. I express my special thanks to the staff of the Library of the American University of Beirut, and that of the Library of Institut franҫais du Liban, Beirut, for all their kind assistance. Most of all, I am greatly indebted to my loving and supportive wife, Samara, and my son Al-Haytham and my daughters Mays and Rand who facilitated my work in different ways.

xiii

ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS BIBLIOGRAPHICAL A BBREVIATIONS BDB

F. Brown, S. R. Driver and C. A. Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1976). BSOAS Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies. Compendious J. Payne Smith, A Compendious Syriac Dictionar (Oxford: Clarendon Press 1979). DNWSI J. Hoftijzer and K. Jongeling, Dictionary of the NorthWest Semitic Inscriptions, 2 vols. (Handbuch der Orientalistik I/XXI.1-2; Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1995). Hatra Published Hatran Inscriptions. Ibn Doreid F. Wüstenfeld, Abu Bekr Muhammed ben el-Hassan Ibn Doreid’s genealogisch-etymologisches Handbuch (Göttingen: Dieterichsche Buchhandlung, 1854). Lane E. W. Lane, An Arabic-English Lexicon, 8 parts (London: Williams and Norgate, 1863-1893). OSI H. J. W. Drijvers and J. F. Healey, The Old Syriac Inscriptions of Edessa and Osrhoene (Handbuch der Orientalistik, I/XLII; Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1999). Thes. Syr. R. Payne Smith, Thesaurus Syriacus, 2 vols. (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1879-1901). ZDMG Zeitschrift der Deutschen Morgenländischen Gesellschaft

GENERAL A BBREVIATIONS abs. act. part.

absolute state active participle xv

xvi adj. Akk. Anc. Aram. Arab. B. Aram. class. Syr. constr. D. DP. Emp. Aram. emph. fem. Hat. Heb. imperf. inf. J. Aram. masc. n. Nab. P. P. Dura P. Euphr. Palm. pass. part. perf. Ph. Pun. sing. suff. Ug.

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC adjective Akkadian Ancient Aramaic Arabic Biblical Aramaic classical Syriac construct state refers to the numbers of the Syriac inscriptions in H. J. W. Drijvers, Old Syriac (Edessean) Inscriptions (Semitic Studies Series 3; Leiden, E. J. Brill, 1972). Duro-Europos Parchment in Drijvers 1972 Emperial Aramaic emphatic state feminine Hatran Hebrew imperfect Infinitive Jewish Aramaic masculine (in footnotes) note Nabataean Parchment Parchment found at Dura-Europos Parchments and Papyri found in the Middle Euphrates area Palmayrene passive participle Perfect Phoenician Punic Singular Suffix Ugaritic

ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS

SYMBOLS [ ] ……. * ? >
ʾ is found in the first element, i.e. ʾBD comes from ʿBD (for discussion and parallels see under ʾBDNḤY). The personal name ʿBDW ‫ܘ‬/+0 is found in the Doctrine of Addai (Phillips 1876, ‫ܗ‬: 14; ‫ܙ‬: 11). ʾBDNḤY, 432/)‫ܐ‬. Genitive compound. “Servant of NḤY”.

Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am4:5 (D47). MQYMW br ʾBDNḤY

This name is formed from the noun ʾBD plus the divine name NḤY. The softening of the letter ʿ to ʾ is attested in the first element, i.e. ʾBD comes from ʿBD (Segal 1954, 30; Leroy 1957, 319; Jenni 1965, 380; al-Jadir 1983, Phonology 2.4, 244). Cf. ʿBDNḤY below). For discussion of the word ʿBD, see the name ʿBDBY below. Less likely is the interpretation of the element ʾBD as “wild animal” or “permanent”, both of which occur in Arab. (Ryckmans 1934, I, 39; Harding 1971, 10) and Palm. (Stark 1971, 1, 63; Ingholt 1955, 160) as a personal name. NḤY is a divine name found in other Syriac inscriptions (cf. bdr dNḤY and ŠDDWNḤʾ OSI Bs2:3 (D2); ʿ]BD[N]ḤY OSI Am1:7 (D44); ʾMTNḤY OSI Am4:12 (D47). (For discussion of The name of the king of Edessa, Abgar Ukama (4 BCE-7 CE), is found frequently in the Doctrine of Addai, the Apostle. See e.g. Phillips 1876, ‫ܐ‬: 1, 9, 11; ‫ܒ‬: 3, 20; ‫ܓ‬:1, 3, 6, 16. 1

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

9

the deity NḤY see: Maricq 1962a, 100-103; Drijvers 1980, 129, n. 17; Healey 2019b, 231-37; see also 155-6 below). The divine name NḤY is also used as a personal name in Palm. (Stark 1971, 39, 99). ʾBDʿTʾ, 760/)‫ܐ‬. Genitive compound. “Servant of ʿTʾ ”.

Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As38:1 (D25). dkyr ʾLKWD/R br ʾBDʿTʾ

For ʾBD see ʾBDNḤY above. For the deity ʿTʾ (Atargatis) see 153-4 below; Healey 2019b, 231-37. The name is attested in Palm. under the form ʿBDʿTʾ (Stark 1971, 42, 103). ʾBSKʾ *98)‫ܐ‬. Genitive compound. “Father of SKʾ ”. Masc., undated, OSI Cs1:2 (D43). ṣlmʾ dʿbdw ʾBSKʾ wBKWSʾ

The name ʾBSK ‫ أب ﺳّﻚ‬occurs in Arab. (Harding 1971, 22,323; Ryckmans 1934, I, 149 interpreted the element SK as “very narrow well”) and is made up of ʾB “father”2 (cf. ʾBʾ above) and ‫ﺳّﻚ‬ “to be deaf” or “to have small ears” (Ibn Maẓūr, vol. 10,439; Lane, 1387) with the Aramaic emphatic ending. SKʾ must remain untranslated, as no suitable meaning can be found when it is joined with ʾB. No other occurrences of this name are attested. ʾGʾ, *:‫ܐ‬. One-word name. “Fugitive”.

Masc., dated 243 CE, P. Dura 28:6 (OSI P1; DP). MʿNW br ʾGʾ

For the use of the element ʾB as a theophoric or divine epithet in Semitic onomastics see Noth 1980, 66-75; Huffmon 1965, 152. See also the personal name ʾBʾ above. 2

10

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC This name is related to Arab. personal name ٌ ‫أَﺟﺄ‬, derived from the root ‫“ أَﺟﺄ‬to flee” (Ibn Manẓūr, vol. I, 24; Harding 1971, 22; Harahshah 2010, no. 288). ‫ أﺟﺄ‬is also a mountain name in Arab. (Ibn Manẓūr, vol. I, 23-4). The name ‫“ אגא‬fugitive” is father of one of David’s warriors in the Old Testament (2 Samuel 23:11).

ʾGY, 4:‫ܐ‬. See under ʾGʾ.

Masc., undated, OSI Bs3:1. ʾGY br BRSMYʾ

The name ʾGY augmented by the ending -Y is probably a varܺ ‫ܐ‬ ܰ iant form of the name ʾGʾ which is mentioned above. ‫ܓܝ‬ occurs in early Syriac literature as the name of Addai’s successor (Phillips 1876, >=: 5; @?: 18 etc. Cf. OSI, 198; Costaz 1963, 402). ʾDWM, ‫ܐܕܘܡ‬. A divine name also used as a personal name.

Masc. Undated, probably 2nd or 3rd century CE, OSI As3:2 (D29). dkyr ʾB ......wʾDWM

The personal name and tribal name ʾDWM occurs in Hebrew ‫( אדום‬Genesis 25:30, etc.) and the personal name ‫עבד אדם‬ “servant of (god) Edom” (BDB, 10, 714) suggests it may also be the name of a god. The name ʾDWM is likewise found in ܰ , is the Talmud (Jastrow 1903, 16). In Syriac the form ‫ܐܽܕܘܡ‬ the land of Edom/Idumaea, a district south of Judaea (Mark 3:8; Jennings 1962, 15). The personal name ʾDWMW is found in Nab3. (Cantineau 1932, II, 56; Negev 1991, 10) and ʾDM in Ph. (Benz 1972, 260).

The reading of this name is disputed. The reading ʾBDMNWTW is found in Répertoire d’Épigraphie Sémitique (RES) 1168. 3

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

11

ʾDWNʾ, *2‫ܐܕܘ‬. One-word name. “Lord” (diminutive).

1. Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As27:4 (D14). TYRDT br ʾDWNʾ

2. Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As30:1, 5 (17). dkyr ʾDWNʾ

ʾLKWD br ʾDWNʾ 3. Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As31:1 (D18). dkyr ʿBSMYʾ br ʾDWNʾ

4. Masc., dated 165 CE, OSI As36:2, 4 (D23). TYRDT br ʾDWNʾ ʿl ḥyy ʾDWNʾ ʾby

5. Masc., dated 165 CE, OSI As37:2 (D24) MNYŠ br ʾDWNʾ

6. Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As38:2 (D25). BLBNʾ br ʾDWNʾ

7. Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As50:2 (D8). dʿbd ʾDWNʾ

8. Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As54:1(D12). ]br ʾ[D]WNʾ [

] TYRDT br ʾDWNʾ

9. Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am5:6, 8, 10 (D48). ḤPSY br ʾDWNʾ

12

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC ʿWYTʾ brt ʾDWNʾ ʾDWNʾ br GBY

This name4 occurs frequently in the early Syriac inscriptions. The proper names ʾDN and ʾDWNʾ are found at Dura-Europos (Segal 1954, 18). ʾDN is also attested as the name of a king in an Aramaic papyrus from Egypt (Dupont-Sommer 1948, 44; Gibson 1975, II, no. 21:1), while ʾDWNʾ is found in Palm. as well as the variant ʾDWNH (Cook 1898, 13 interpreted the name ʾDWNʾ as “little lord”, a diminutive form). The name ʾDN is used as an appellative for a variety of deities in Ph. inscriptions, for example, ʾDNBʿL, ʾDNŠMŠ (Benz 1972, 26061). In Heb. the name ʾDNYHW, is found (e.g. 1 Kings 1:8; Noth 1980, 16, 118, 121, 141 for parallels and discussion) and, of cours, ʾDWNY is a title of god. ʾDY, ‫ ܐܕܝ‬.One-word name. “Small hand”.

1. Masc., undated: probably 3rd century CE, OSI As12:2 (D58). BRʿŠY br ʾDY

2. Masc., undated: probably 3rd century CE, OSI As14:2 (D60). dʿbd DRDW glwpʾ ṣlmʾ lʾDY

3. Masc., undated: probably 3rd century CE, OSI As15:1 (D61). mšy lšhr ʾDY

The best explanation of this name is to be derived from a note of Nӧldeke 1904b, 102 (for discussion). He mentions the names yudayā ‫ ﯾُﺪَﯾْﺔ‬and adayā ‫أَدَﯾْﺔ‬, a diminutive form derived from the noun yd and meaning “little hand”. In

In all cases the name could be read ʾRWNʾ “calf” or “young bullock” see Nӧldeke 1904b, 83; Stark 1971, 7, 73. 4

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

13

Nӧldeke’s example it is used both as a masculine name and as a feminine name, whereas here it is masculine. The personal name ‫ أُدَي‬is attested in Arab. (Ibn Doreid 1854, 275; Ryckmans 1934, I, 41; Littmann 1943a, 296; Winnett 1957, ܰ , the name of an ancestor of St 139; Harding 1971, 33). ‫ܐܺܕܝ‬ Joseph, occurs in the New Testament (Luke 3:28). The personal name ʾDY is found frequently in Hat. (Hatra 46; 56:3; 57:1 etc.; Abbadi 1983, 3, 75; Marcato 2018, 24). In Palm.the name ʾDʾ is considered as a hypocoristicon of the divine name Addu, Haddu (Stark 1971, 2, 65). Harrak suggested that the name ʾDY is another form of the divine name Adad with 1st sing. suff., meaning “My (deity is) Addā” (for discussion and parallels see Harrak 1992, 319). The personal name Addai appears frequently in the Doctrine of Addai, the Apostol. The name Addai is also attested in Greek form Aδδαɩοѕ (OSI 68). ʾWY, ‫ ܐܘܝ‬. One-word name. “One who takes shelter”.

Fem., dated 218 or 228 CE or, less likely, 238, OSI Am8:4 (D51). ʾWY ʾntt ZYDLT

This name is a derivative of the word 7‫ܐܘ‬, Arab. ‫“ أََوى‬to turn towards a place” and is connected with the personal name ‫ أَوي‬which is attested as a masculine name in Arab. (Harding 1971, 87)5 . The name ʾWY is also seen in Punic inscriptions (Benz 1972, 262), but no meaning has been offered. The personal name ʾWY, ‫אוי‬, occurs in Heb. with an uncertain meaning, “desire” (Numbers 31:8; Joshua 13:21; BDB, 16). The related personal name ʾWʾ is attested in an Ammonite stamp seal, probably from the 7th century BCE (Hammond 1960, 38-41).

ܰ , Arab. ‫آوى‬ The name ʾWY may be interpreted as “jackal”, class Syr. ‫ܐܰܘܝ‬ ‫اﺑﻦ‬. (Cf. Nӧldeke 1904b, 79).

5

14

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

ʾWRYLWS/ ʾWRLYWS / ʾWRLS C=‫ ܐܘܪ‬/ ‫ܣ‬,D=‫ ܐܘܪ‬/ ‫ܣ‬,GF‫ܐܘܪ‬, Aurelius. Latin name. 1. Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As49:3 (D7). ʾWRYLWS ḤPSY br BR[KLB]ʾ

2. Masc., dated 243 CE, P. Dura 28:5, 6, 8, 20, 24, 25, 29, v2, v3 (OSI P1; DP). ʾWRLYWS ʾNṬYWKS

(5)

ʾWRLS TYRW

(8)

ʾWRLYWS ʾBGR ʾWRLS ḤPSY

ʾWRLS BRKLBʾ

MRQWS ʾWRLS

MRQWS ʾWRLYWS ʾWRLYWS ʾBGR

(6) (20, v2) (24) (25) (29) (v3)

3. Masc., dated 252-256 CE, P. Euphr. 3:19; P. Euphr. 4:20. ʾWRLS ʿBŠWṬʾ ktbt

4. Masc., dated 242 CE, P. Euphr. 19:5 (2x) (OSI P3). MRQWS ʾWRLYWS 5. Masc., dated 249 CE, P. Euphr. 6:32, 36, 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 44; 7:26, 31, 32, 33, 36, 37, 38, 40 ʾWRLS QWZʾ 7:26)

(P. Euphr. 6:32; P. Euphr.

ʾWRLS LLʾ br BLSYN phr. 7:31)

(P. Euphr. 6:37; P. Eu-

ʾWRLS ŠLMSYN phr. 7:33)

(P. Euphr. 6:36; P. Eu-

ʾWRLS LṬYBSYN phr. 7:32)

(P. Euphr. 6:38; P. Eu-

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS [ʿrbt] ʾWRLS BLY šh[d]

(P. Euphr. 6:40)

[ʿr]bt ʾWRLS BRBʿŠMYN šhd

(P. Euphr. 6:41)

[ʿrbt] ʾWRLS BL]Y šhd

[ʿrbt ʾWRLS BRBʿŠMYN] šhd [ʿrbt ʾW]RL[S] HPY [ʿrbt ʾWRLS] HPY

15

(P. Euphr. 7:36) (P. Euphr. 7:37) (P. Euphr. 6:42) (P. Euphr. 7:38)

[ʿrbt] ʾWRLS GD šh[d] 7:40)

(P. Euphr. 6:44; P. Euphr.

6. Masc., dated 250, CE, P. Euphr. 10:20, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30. ʾWRLS br BRBʿŠMYN (20) ʾWRLS BRSMYʾ

(24)

ʾWRLS h

(28)

ʾWRLS ḥrnyʾ ʾWRLS br

ʾWRLS HPY šhd

(27) (29) (30)

7. Masc., dated 244 CE, P. Euphr. 12:30. ʾWRLS m…

The variant personal name ʾWRLYS is attested in Palm. (Stark 1971, 3, 66). ʾWRLYʾ, *D=‫ܐܘܪ‬, Aurelia. Latin name.

Fem., dated 243 CE, P. Dura 28:i (abbreviated), 7, 21, v1, v5 (OSI P1; DP). M[RQYʾ] ʾ[WRLYʾ] MTRʿTʾ brt ŠMNY (i) MRQYʾ ʾWRLYʾ MTRʿTʾ brt ŠMNBRZ

(7)

ʾWRLYʾ MTRʿTʾ brt ŠMNY

(v1, v5)

ʾWRLYʾ MTRʿTʾ ʾntty

(21)

This name appears in Palm. for fem. (Stark 1971, 2, 65-6). ʾWRLYʾ also occurs as an epithet joined to names of cities e.g.: P. Dura 28:4 (OSI P1; DP); P. Euphr. 19:4 (OSI P3).

16

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

ʾZ……Y, ‫ ܐܙ……ܝ‬. Incomplete name.

Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am4:6 ʾZ……Y br MQYMW

ʾṬYWKʾ, *I,DH‫ܐ‬, Antiochos. Greek name.

1. Masc. undated, Desreumaux 2000, 214-5 ʾṬYWKʾ rbytʾ

2. Masc., undated, in an inscription drawn to my attention by John Healey. ʾṬYWKʾ br(?) MʿNW

This name is probably related to ʾṬYKʾ which is found in Palm. See under ʾṬYQWS. ʾṬYQWS, ‫ܣ‬,JDH‫ܐ‬, Atticus. Latin name.

Masc., dated 242 CE, P. Euphr. 19:2 (OSI P3). bhpṭyʾ dWṬYWS ʾṬYQWS

The name ʾṬYKʾ which occurs in Palm. may be connected to ʾṬYQWS (Stark 1971, 4, 67). ʾYW, ,F‫ܐ‬. See ʿYW.

Fem., undated, OSI Cs1:3 (D 43). ʾYW ḥthwn

ʾKYR, .DI‫ܐ‬. One-word name. “Ploughman”.

Masc., undated, probably mid 2nd centur CE, OSI As34:2 ܰ ʾKYR might be connected with the Syriac noun K.ܳIܳ‫ܐ‬ ܰ ܰ “ploughman” and related to the verb .I‫“ ܐ‬to plough, culti-

vate, plant”. The variant name ‫ أﻛّﺎر‬is attested in Arab.

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

17

(Ryckmans 1934, I, 44; Harding 1971, 61; Winnett 1957, 61), but is also found in Palm. with N at the end: ʾKRN (Cook 1898, 17; Stark 1971, 4, 67. In Nab. ʾKWR (Cantineau 1932, II, 61; Negev 1991, 12) is attested. ʾKRW, ‫ܘ‬.I‫ܐ‬. See under ʾKYR.

Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Cm10:2. …]ʾʾ brt ʾKRW

ʾLYWS, ‫ܣ‬,D=‫ܐ‬. Aelius. Latin name.

Masc., dated 240 CE, P. Euphr. 18:3 (OSI P2) ʾLYWS SPṬYMWS ʾBGR

The name ʾLYS occurs in Palm. (Stark 1971, 4, 68). ʾLKWD/R, ‫ ܪ‬/‫ܕ‬,9=‫ܐ‬. Uncertain.

1. Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As30:4 (D17). ʾLKWD/R br ʾDWNʾ

2. Masc., dated 165 CE, OSI As37:2, 3 (D24). ʾLKWD/R wBLBNʾ wʾLKWD/R ʾḥwhy

3. Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As38:1 (D25). dkyr ʾLKWD/R br ʾBDʿTʾ

The personal name ʾLKWD is a compound of the divine name ʾL and the word KBD, which is probably connected with Heb. ‫כבד‬, “to be honoured” (BDB, 457), and Arab. ٌ‫“ َﻛﺒَﺪ‬having a prominent stomach” (Ibn Manẓūr, vol. 3, 376; Lane, 2585), but with the mutation of B > W (Nӧldeke 1904a, § 27.)

18

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC In Hatran inscriptions the name ʾLKWD/R is found frequently: Hatra 79:5, 6, 7, 8; 80:2, 6; 113:1; 327:1. Ḥabib 1973, 162 suggested that the name ʾLKWD is a form of ʾLKBD “the anger of the God” (with the transition of B > W) consisting of ʾL and the Syr. K/ܳ+Iܰ “anger, wrath” (Compendious, 203). However, Abbadi and Beyer offered an Iranian origin (see Abbadi 1983, 78-9; Beyer 1998, 154; Marcato 2018, 27-8 for other views concerning this name). The names ʾKBD, KBDT meaning “paunchy” and KBDM (it may be a place name) appear also in Arab. (Harding 1971, 61, 493). The personal names KBDMLQRT, KBDʿŠTRT, KBDT occur in Ph. (Benz 1972, 330). The reading ʾLKWR is also possible. In this case the name might be related to the Arab. name ʾLKR which is formed from the deity name, ʾL, and KR “ʾL retraced (his) steps” (cf. Ryckmans, I, 233-4; Caquot 1963, 4).

ʾLKSNDRWS, ‫ܪܘܣ‬/L89=‫ܐ‬. Alexandros. Greek name.

Masc., dated 242 CE, P. Euphr. 19:5 (OSI P3). MRQWS ʾWRLYWS ʾLKSNDRWS

The personal name ʾLKSNDRWS is attested in Palm. as well as the variant names ʾLKSNDRS/ʾLKSDRS (Stark 1971, 5, 68). ʾMʾ, *M?‫ܐ‬. Hypocoristicon. “Maidservant of (divine name of a God or Goddess)”. Fem., undated, Desreumaux and Önal 2017, 132. ʾMʾ ʾntt GDYʾ

ܰ “maidservant” (conThe name ʾMʾ from the noun ʾMT 6?ܰ‫ܐ‬ struct) is a hypocoristic of a theophoric with the divine name elided. Personal names with the element ʾMT are common in the Syriac inscriptions and parchments (see e.g. ʾMŠMŠ, ʾMTNḤY, (ʾ)MTRʿTʾ etc.). The personal name ʾMTʾ is attested

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

19

in Palm. (Stark 1971, 5, 70), in Nab. ʾMT (Negev 1991, 13) and ʾMT in Arab. (Harding 1971, 73). ʾMŠMŠ, PON?‫ܐ‬. Genitive compound. “Maidservant of ŠMŠ”.

Fem., undated, perhaps late 2nd/early 3rd century CE, As62:2, 3. ʾMŠMŠ ʾtth dŠDDW ʾMŠMŠ ʾntt ŠDDW

ܰ , class.Syr. This name is formed from the noun ʾM < ʾMT 6?ܰ‫ܐ‬ “maidservant” (construct) and the divine name ŠMŠ6. This form represents the case of elision or assimilation of the dental before a following sibilant (see e.g. under ʿBSMYʾ). The name ʾMŠ[MŠ] is attested in Palm., though the element ʾMT with different divine names is also found in Palm. e.g. ʾMTBL, ʾMTBʿ[L] (Stark 1971, 5, 70) and ʾMTʾLHY in Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 64; al-Khraysheh 1986, 40; Negev, 1991, 13). (ʾ)MTBYN, QD)6? (‫)ܐ‬. Genitive compound “Maidservant of BYN”. Fem. undated 249 CE, P. Euphr. 6:32; 7:26. MTBYN brt ʾBʾ

This theophoric name is made up of the element (ʾ)MT, class. ܰ “maidservant” (construct) with the elision of the Syr. 6?ܰ‫ܐ‬ letter ʾ (see e.g. (ʾ)MTSYN and (ʾ)MTRʿTʾ) and the unrecognized divine name BYN. Feissel, Gascou and Teixidor 1997, 22, suggested that the second element BYN perhaps corresponds to the Akkadian epithet bānū “Creator”, so that the name MTBYN would mean “gift of the Creator”.

For another compound names with the deity ŠMŠ appeared in the Syriac corpus see: BRŠMŠ, LŠMŠ, ʿBDŠMŠ, ŠMŠGRM, ŠMŠYHB, ŠMŠʿQB, BRŠMʾ(?). 6

20

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

ʾMTNḤY, 4326?‫ܐ‬. Genitive compound. “Maidservant of NḤY”.

Fem., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am4:12 (D47). ʾMTNḤY brt MQYMW

ܰ “maidservant” This name is made up of ʾMT, class.Syr. 6?ܰ‫ܐ‬ (construct), and the divine name NḤY (see ʾBDNḤY above). Personal names of this type are found in practically all Semitic languages (for parallels to this type see Ryckmans 1934, I, 255; Cook 1889, 21; Cantineau 1932, II, 64; Stark 1971, 5, 70; Benz 1971, 270. See also the personal names (ʾ)MTʿZT, (ʾ)MTŠRʾ below, and MTSYN in P. Dura 28:ii, 9, OSI P1; DP; P. Euphr. 6:34; 7:28. MTRʿTʾ in P. Dura 28:i, 7, 14, 22, v 1, v 5, OSI P1; DP and ʾMŠMŠ in As62:2, 3). The first element ʾMT serves as fem. counterpart to ʿBD “servant” (see genitive compound names with ʿBD e.g. ʿBDNḤY, ʾBDŠMŠ). (ʾ)MTSYN, QDR6?(‫)ܐ‬. Genitive compound, “Maidservant of SYN”.

1. Fem., dated 243 CE, P. Dura 28:ii, 9 (ambiguously) (OSI P1; DP). ʾMTʾ MTSYN

ʾ ? MTSYN ʾMTʾ 2. Fem., dated 249 CE, P. Euphr. 6:34; 7:28. ʿBŠLMʾ br MTSYN

ܰ , This name is compounded of the noun (ʾ)MT, class.Syr. 6?ܰ‫ܐ‬ “maidservant” (construct) and the divine name SYN. The elision of the initial ʾ of the first element ʾMT may be noted (for discussion see (ʾ)MTʿZT below). (ʾ)MTʿZT, ‫@ܬ‬06? (‫)ܐ‬. Genitive compound. “Maidservant of ʿZT”.

Fem., undated: probably 3rd century CE, OSI As13:2 (D59). lMTʿZT ḥlth

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

21

The elision of the initial ʾ of the first element MT, class.Syr. ܰ “maidservant” (construct), may be noted7 as we are not 6?ܰ‫ܐ‬ sure whether the loss of ʾ is a conditioned change (al-Jadir 1983, 2.7, 245). ʿZT, a feminine form, may be a deity name equivalent to the Arab. goddess al-ʿUzzā ‫( اﻟُﻌّﺰى‬Ibn Doreid 1854, 29; Cantineau 1932, II, 128; Healey 2001, 114-19). (ʾ)MTʿTʾ, 7606?(‫)ܐ‬. See (ʾ)MTRʿTʾ.

Fem., dated 249 CE, P. Euphr. 6:34; 7:28. lMTʿTʾ brt GMYMW

(ʾ)MTRʿTʾ, 760‫ܪ‬6?(‫)ܐ‬. Genitive compound. “Maidservant of TRʿTʾ”.

Fem., dated 243 CE, P. Dura 28:i, 7, 14, 22, v1, v5 (OSI P1; DP). MTRʿTʾ brt ŠMNY

(i, v1, v5)

ʾnʾ MTRʿTʾ

(14)

ʾWRLYʾ MTRʾTʾ brt ŠMNBRZ MTRʿTʾ ʾntt BRŠMʾ

(7)

(22)

ܰ This name is composed of two parts: (ʾ)MT, class.Syr. 6?ܰ‫ܐ‬ “Maidservant” (construct) and the divine name TRʿTʾ “Atargatis”. The elision of the letter ʾ and the assimilation of the final T of the first element (ʾ)MT are found in this name (Goldstein 1966, 3). See the variant form MTʿTʾ above.

Segal 1959, 40; Jenni 1965 377. See also (ʾ)MTŠRʾ below. The first element MT in both (ʾ)MTʿZT and (ʾ)MTŠRʾ could be considered as a shortened form of the word MTN “gift” which is found in other Semitic names, cf. Benz 1972, 356; Stark 1971, 98. 7

22

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

(ʾ)MTŠRʾ, K.T6?(‫)ܐ‬. Hypocoristicon. “Maidservant of (DW)ŠRʾ”. Fem., undated, OSI Cs2:1 (D57). lMTŠRʾ brth

ܰ “MaidserThe structure type of this name (ʾ)MT, class.Syr. 6?ܰ‫ܐ‬ vant” (construct) is probably noun plus the hypocoristic form of the divine name DWŠRʾ known from Nab.8 (Cantineau 1932, II, 80; Segal 1959, 40). In this name, as in (ʾ)MTʿZT above, the elision of the initial ʾ after the preposition l is attested in the first element ʾMT i.e. ʾMTŠRʾ > MTŠRʾ (cf. MTʿZT). ʾNʾ, *2‫ܐ‬. One-word name. “Patience”.

1. Fem., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As30:2 (D17). TYRDT wʾNʾ

2. Fem., undated: probably 2nd / 3rd century CE, OSI As4:2 (D30). ʾNʾ ḥth dBRŠMŠ

3. Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As39:1 (D64). ʾNʾ bnyʾ

The name is used for both males and females in Syriac inscriptions as well as in Palmyrene (Stark 1971, 5, 70). ʾNʾ is to be connected with the Arab. name ʾNH ‫( أﻧﺎة‬Harding 1971, 81) which is to be derived from ‫أﻧَﻰ‬, “to be patient with, act gently” Ibn Manẓūr, vol. 14, 48-9; Lane, 119) . The name ʾNʾ occurs in Palm., Nab. (Stark 1971, 70) and in Aramaic documents from the fifth century BCE (Driver 1965, 85). A Christian martyr of this name is known (Leroy 1957, 320). 8 Drijvers and Healey (OSI, 206-7) suggested the reading MTŠDʾ where the form ŠDʾ is connected with the personal name ŠDY in Palm. (Stark 1971, 50, 113).

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

23

[ʾN]ṬWNYNS, CLD2,H[2‫]ܐ‬. Antonianus. Latin name.

Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As49:6 (D7). [ʾN]ṬWNYNS [qs]r

ʾNṬWNYWS, ‫ܣ‬,D2,U2‫ܐ‬. Antonius. Latin name.

Masc., dated 243 CE, P. Dura 28:1 (OSI P1; DP); 240 CE, P. Euphr. 18:2 (OSI P2); 242 CE, P. Euphr. 19:1 (OSI P3). qsr MRQWS ʾNṬWNYWS

The variant form ʾNṬWNYS appears in Palm. (Stark 1971, 6, 70). ʾNṬYWKS, CI,DU2‫ܐ‬. Antiochos. Greek name.

Masc., dated 243 CE, P. Dura 28:5 (OSI P1; DP). MRQWS ʾWRLYWS ʾNṬYWKS

The variant forms ʾNṬYWKWS/ ʾNṬYKYS/ ʾNṬYKS are found in Palm. (Stark 1971, 6, 70). ʾNY, 42‫ܐ‬. One-word name. “Drawn near”.

1. Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am3:19, 20. ŠLM[T] ʾm[h] dʾNY ʾNY br BLY

2. Masc., undated: probably around 180 CE, M. Önal and A. Desreumaux 2019, 246, L.2. ḤLWPʾ br ʾNY9 bʿlh

See also recent published Syriac inscriptions for another occurrence of ʾNY, discovered in Edessa (Çetin, et al. 2020, 123, 125). 9

24

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC The name ʾNY is to be derived from ‫“ أَﻧَﻰ‬to draw near” (Ibn Manẓūr, vol. 14, 48; Lane 119). The Arab. personal name ‫أَﻧِﻲ‬ is attested for masc. (Ryckmans 1934, I, 45; Harding 1971, 81; Winnett 1957, 143) and fem. (Littmann 1943a, 299). As ܰ could represent Anais, Anaitis, a goddess a fem. form 42ܺ‫ܐ‬ (Thes. Syr. 270; Margoliouth 1927, 25).

ʾNYWS, ‫ܣ‬,D2‫ܐ‬. Annius. Latin name.

Masc., dated 243 CE, P. Dura 28:2 (OIS P1; DP). bhpṭyʾ ʾNYWS ʾRNYWS

The variant form ʾNYNWS is found in Palm. (Stark 1971, 6, 70). ʾSDW, ‫ܘ‬/R‫ܐ‬. See ʾŠDW.

Masc., undated, Rumschied 2013, 109-32, Abb. 5, 6; Voigt 2013,139. BRSMYʾ br ʾSDW

ʾSW, ,R‫ܐ‬. One-word name. “Gift”.

1. Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As33:1 (D20). ʾSW10 br QY[MY

2. Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am2:12 (D45). ʾSW

This name is connected with the Arab. personal name ‫“ َأْوس‬gift”11 (Harding 1971, 40-1) which is derived from ‫س‬ ّ ‫“ َأ‬to give”12 (Ibn Drijvers’s reading ʾSW seems more acceptable than Segal’s reading ʾNʾ (see OSI, 100). 11 The name ‫ أَْوس‬could also mean “wolf” (cf. Nӧldeke 1904b, 79). 12 It is possible that the name ʾSW is to be derived from the root *R‫ܐ‬, “to heal”. The name ‫אסא‬, also related to “healing”, is found in Heb. (cf. 1 10

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

25

Manẓūr, vol. 6, 17; Ibn Doreid 1854, 83; Ryckmans 1934, I, 412; Littmann 1943a, 299; Harahshah 2001, 44, 58, 73 etc.). The hypocoristic form ʾWŠY is found in Palm. (Stark 1971, 3, 66). The name ʾWŠW occurs in Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 57-8; Negev 1991, 11; al-Khraysheh 1986, 29). As a theophoric name, ʾSʾL ‫“ اﺳﺎل‬gift of ʾL” is found in Arab. (Ryckmans 1934, I, 218; Littmann 1943a, 299) and ʾWŠʾLH/ʾWŠLHY in Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 58-9; Negev 1991, 11; al-Khraysheh 1984, 28). The personal names ʾŠʾ and ʾŠW appeared in Hat. (Hatra 30:3; 38:3; 480:1; Beyer 1998, 155; Marcato 2018, 32- 3), but on the other hand Abbadi 1983, 82-3 connected the variant name ʾŠʾ (hypocoristicon) with the Arabic name ʾNS: “friend of (God)”. ʾPRHṬ, ‫ܗܛ‬.V‫ܐ‬. Persian name.

Masc. undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Cm13:1. ʾPRHṬ

The name is well attested in later Syriac tradition, including in the name of theologian Aphrahaṭ. It is also found in Palm. (Stark 1971, 6, 72) and Hat. (Hatra 133; 223:1; 224:1,2; 364:1; 390:1; 437:1; Abbadi 1983, 6, 80-81; Beyer 1998, 155; 2013, 31; Marcato 2018, 31). ʾPRHṬ is also attested in an Aramaic inscription from Assur (Aggoula 1985, 27g:1). ʾPRYMW[S], [‫]ܣ‬,OF.V‫ܐ‬. Aprimos. Greek name (Priamos).

Masc., undated, Balty and Briquel-Chatonnet 2000, 6265, Fig. 9. ʾPRYMW[S].

Kings 15:8, 9, 11; Chabot 1906, 286; Noth 1980,181). The incomplete form ʾSY[ ] which occurs in Palm. might be related to these (cf. Stark 1971, 71).

26

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

ʾPTWḤʾ, *X‫ܘ‬6V‫ܐ‬. One-word name. “Weak-fingered”.

1. Masc., undated: probably first half of 3rd century CE, OSI As1:1 (D27). ʾnʾ ʾPTWḤʾ nw[hdrʾ]

2. Masc., undated: but probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am2:2, 9 (D45) ʾPTWḤʾ br GRMW

3. Masc., dated 228 CE, OSI Am7:3 (D50). ʾPTWḤʾ br BRNY

4. Masc., undated: probably 2nd/3rd century CE, OSI As8:1 (D53). dʿbdw ʾPTWḤʾ wʿBDLT wBKRY

5. Masc., undated, Önal et al. 2013, 15, no. 5. br [....]ʾPTW[Ḥʾ]

6. Masc., undated, Önal et al. 2013, 16, no. 8. SWR[S] br ʾPTWḤʾ

7. Masc., undated, Desreumaux and Önal 2017, 132-4. ʾPTWḤʾ br GDYʾ

MGDL ʾntt ʾPTWḤʾ This name is connected with the Arab. Afʿal form ʾPTḪ, ‫اَﻓْﺘَﺦ‬, from ‫“ ﻓَﺘََﺦ‬to have a weakness in the finger”13 (Ibn Manẓūr, vol. 3, 40-1; Lane, 2329-30). In Arab. the Afʿal forms are sometimes used for bodily defects, e.g. ‫ﻋَﻤﻰ‬ ْ َ‫“ أ‬blind”, ‫أَْﻋَﺮ ج‬ The personal name YPTḤʾL in Arab. “ʾL opens (inspiration)” (Ryckmans 1934, I, 245) and the Hebrew place- name ‫“ יפתח אל‬god opens” (Joshua 19:14, 27) are derived from the root ptḥ, Syr. ‫ܚ‬6ܰV, Arab. ‫“ َﻓﺘََﺢ‬to open”. Chabot 1906, 283 suggested that the name ʾPTWḤʾ seems to come from this root. This does not seem very likely. The form is hard to reconcile with such a root. 13

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

27

“lame” (cf. The personal name ʾBGR above). The name ʾPTḤ is seen in Nab. (Cook 1898, 24; Cantineau 1932, II, 67; alKhraysheh 1986, 42; Negev 1991, 14) and PTḪM ‫ ﻓﺘﺨﻢ‬in Arab. (Harding 1971, 461). It is a tradition among the Arabs that parents who were not able to have children give their first child a name with an “unattractive” meaning to protect him or her from jealousy and evil spirits. Thus parallels to this kind of meaning occur in Arab., for example, ‫“ زﺑﺎﻟﺔ‬rubbish, garbage”, ‫“ ﺟﺮﯾﻮ‬puppy”, diminutive form. ʾRḤMTʾ, 76OX‫ܐܪ‬. Uncertain in type and meaning.

Fem., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am3:9 (D46). ʾRḤMTʾ ʾmh dʿBŠY

It is possible that the name ʾRḤMTʾ is a derivation of the root RḤM [Xܶ‫“ ܪ‬to have mercy, love” (for proper names from this root see Huffmon 1965, 261; Noth 1980, 187, 199). Otherwise no parallels can be found elsewhere (Leroy 1957, 320). ʾRKW, ,I‫ܐܪ‬. One-word name. “Permanent”.

Masc., undated: probably 2nd/3rd century CE, OSI As6:3 (D42). QYMY [b]rt ʾRKW

ܰ ܶ “to prolong” and related to the ʾRKW is a derivative of ‫ܐܪܟ‬ Arab. personal name ‫( أَراﻛﺔ‬Ibn Doreid 1854, 183, 302; Caskel 1966, 191; Harding 1971, 38) from the root ʾRK “to remain, stay”. The suggestions of Littmann that the personal name ʾRKW may be either an abbreviated of a Greek name beginning with Αρχι, or possibly of Persian origin are improbable (Littmann 1913, 380).

28

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

ʾRNYWS, ‫ܣ‬,D2‫ܐܪ‬. Arrianus. Latin name.

Masc., dated 243 CE, P. Dura 28:2 (OSI p1; DP). bhpṭyʾ ʾNYWS ʾRNYWS

ʾŠDW, ‫ܘ‬/T‫ܐ‬. One-word name. “Lion”.

Masc., undated: late 2nd or early 3rd century CE, OSI Am10:2, 8, 11, 14. BRSMYʾ br ʾŠDW ʾŠDW br ʿQRB

BRSMYʾ br ʾŠDW GʿL br ʾŠDW

The proper name ʾSD14 ‫ﺳﺪ‬ َ َ‫“ أ‬lion” is one of the most familiar Arab. personal names (Ryckmans 1934, I, 45; Littmann 1943a, 299; Winnett 1957, 139; Harding 1971, 42; Nӧldeke 1904b, 77; Harahsha 2010, nos. 57, 115, 166 etc.), and it is also a very popular Arab. family name (Drijvers 1982, 175). This name is often found with final W in Nab. i.e. ʾŠDW (Cantineau 1932, II, 68; al-Khraysheh 1986, 44; Negev 1991, 15), a form which occurs also in Nab. as a divine name (Littmann 1943b, 26). The names ʾŠD and ʾŠDW are attested in Palm. (Stark 1974, 7, 73). ʾTW, ‫ܐܬܘ‬. Uncertain.

Fem., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Cm7:2. ʾTW brt WʾL

ʾTW may be a hypocoristic form from a name like ʾTʿQB (OSI, 216) which is found in Palm. and Hat. with the meaning “ʿTʾ (Atargatis) has protected”, verbal sentence with softening of ʿ > ʾ in the divine name ʿTʾ (Stark 1971, 7, 73; Hatra 251; In the name ʾŠDW one may note that the Proto-Semitic š corresponds to š in Old Syr.and class. Syr., but s in Arab. (cf. Moscati 1969, § 8.31 and al-Jadir 1983, 2.1, 242). 14

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

29

271; Abbadi, 1983, 8, 85; Marcato 2018, 35; OSI, 216). (For the softening ʿ > ʾ see also under ʾBDʿTʾ). ʾTY, ‫ܐܬܝ‬. Uncertain.

Fem., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As43:5 (D68). wlʾTY

This name is probably a variant form of the name ʾTW mentioned above. BBS, C+). One-word name. “Lad, little boy”.

1. Masc. undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As31:3 (D18). dkyr BBS

2. Masc., undated, OSI Cs1:3 (D43). ʾBSKʾ wBKWSʾ bny BBS15

The most probable suggestion is to connect the name BBS with the Syriac noun masc., *Rܳ,+ܽ)ܳ “lad”, though Segal 1954, 22 suggests the -S is a Greek suff. (cf. OSI, 98). Probably the name expresses an attitude of endearment towards the newborn child. The equivalent Arab. personal name to BBS is BNY ‫“ ﺑُﻨَﻲ‬little son”, a diminutive form (Ryckmans 1934, I, 52; Littmann 1943a, 302; Winnett 1957, 148). BGYʾ, *D-). Uncertain.

Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Cm8:1. BGYʾ

According to Beyer1996, 42, the reading BKS (Bakkos/Bacchus) is also possible (cf. OSI, Cs1:3, 205). 15

30

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC This name is probably related to the Palm. name BGY. The Greek transcription (Baggaios) is known from a bilingual text (Stark 1971, 8, 74). The variant form ‫בגוי‬, is found in the Old Testament as the name of a companion of Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:2; cf. also Nehemiah 10:17).

BKWSʾ, *R,9), Bacchus/os. Greek name used also in Latin (Bakchos) Masc., undated, OSI Cs1:2 (D43). ṣlmʾ dʿbdw ʾBSKʾ wBKWSʾ BKSTʾ, 7689). Uncertain.

Masc., undated: probably 3rd century CE, Teixidor 1998a, 116 L. 8. BRSMYʾ br BKSTʾ

BKR[W, ‫]ܘ‬.9). See under BKRY.

Masc., undated, Desreumaux 2007, 124-5, L. 1. BKR[W

br YK/NK [ BKRY, ‫ܝ‬.9). One-word name. “Young camel, first-born”.

Masc., undated: probably 2nd-3rd century CE, OSI As8:3 (D53). dʿbdw ʾPTWḤʾ wʿBDLT wBKRY

This name is derived from .9ܰ)ܰ paʿel “to be the first”. The name BKR ‫ ﺑَْﻜﺮ‬is well attested in Arab. (Nӧldeke 1904b, 82; Ibn Doreid 1845, 31; Winnett 1957, 147; Harding, 1972, 114; Harahshah 2010, no. 233). The name is extended by the addition of the element -Y, normally hypocoristic, but here perhaps nisbeh. Two kings of Edessa are known by the name BKRW (Thes. Syr. 526). BKRW with the ending -W is found in Palm. (Cook 1898, 30; Stark 1971, 9, 76.) and Nab.

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

31

(Cantineau 1932, II, 71; al-Khraysheh 1986, 48; Negev 1991, 16). The name forms BKR, BKRW and BKRY ‫בכר‬, ‫בכרו‬and ‫ בכרי‬are also found in Heb. (e.g. Numbers 26:35; 1 Chronicles 8:38; 2 Samuel 20:1, 2, 6 etc.; Noth 1980, 230). BLBNʾ, *L+G). Verbal sentence with perfect. “Bēl has built/created”. 1. Masc. dated 165 CE, OSI As37:3 (D24). ʾLKWD/R wBLBNʾ

2. Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As38:2 (D25). BLBNʾ br ʾDWNʾ

3. Masc., undated, OSI Add. 3. ʿ ]BDMLK br BLBNʾ

This name is made up of a divine name BL plus the verb BNʾ *Lܳ), perf. peʿal 3rd masc. sing., “to build, build up (metaphorically)” (Compendious, 48) , common Semitic (for the use of the word BNʾ in North West Semitic names see: Noth 1980, 172-73; Huffmon 1965, 177). However, the verb BNʾ is used here in the sense of giving offspring (cf. Abbadi 1983, 127). The name BLBN is attested in Heb. (Noth 1980, 239). The personal name Be[l]ba-ni appears in the prism of Ashurbanipal found at Nineveh (for further references see: Vattioni 1971, 446). It is worth noting that Akkadian banû often means “create”, and the same meaning is found in Ugaritic. See also Huffmon 1965, 177-8. So maybe BLBNʾ could mean “BēL has created” or “BēL is creator”. Cf. (ʾ)MTBYN above. The forms Bēl-bāni or Bēl-ibni “Bēl has created” are found in the Assyrian personal names (Tallqvist 1914, 55, 57). The parallel form NBWBNʾ meaning “NBW has created” is found in Hatra (Hatra 98; 211; Abbadi 1983, 127; Beyer 1998, 161; Marcato 2018, 83). The variant personal name *L),+= is mentioned in the Doctrine of Addai (Phillips 1876, ]2: 22; Segal 1954, 27).

32

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

BLY, 4G). Uncertain type and meaning.

1. Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am3:1, 4, 15, 21 (D46). BLY br GWSY (2x) BRNBS br BLY ʾNʾ br BLY

2. Masc., dated 249 CE, P. Euphr. 6:40; 7:36. [ʿrbt] ʾWRLS BLY šh[d] [ʿrbt ʾWRLS BL]Y šhd

3. Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, Bertolino 2004, AS.L8.01:1, 55-6. B….ŠMŠ br BLY br BʿŠMYN Several interpretations for this name are possible: a) As a short form of a theophoric name compounded with the divine name BL such as is found in Palmyra (Ingholt 1955, 170; Stark 1971, 76), e.g. BLNWRY “BL is my light”, BLYDʿ “BL has known”. This is the most likely explanation. b) A hypocoristic form of the proper name BʿLY, a divine name BʿL with the hypocoristic ending -Y. c) As a one-word name, BLY may be derived from the ‫ﻲ‬ َ ‫“ ﺑَِﻠ‬to wear out, put to the test” (Ibn Doreid 1854, 322). d) BLY is found in Arab. as the name of a well-known tribe in Arabia. This tribe name could also be used as a personal name (Littmann 1943a, 302; Ryckmans 1934, II, 287). It is likewise attested in Arab. as a Yemeni place-name (Ibn Manẓūr, vol. 14, 88). This name is known in Palm. (Ingholt 1955, 170; Stark 1971, 10, 76) and Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 71; Negev 1991, 16)

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

33

and is also the name of a writer of the 4th-5th century, a disciple of Ephrem (Baumstark 1922, 61-63; Leroy 1957, 321). BLSYN, QD8G). Nominal sentence. “The lord is SYN”.

Masc., dated 249 CE, P. Euphr. 6:37; 7:31. ʾWRLS LLʾ br BLSYN mn pqdnʾ dBLSYN.

This theophoric personal name combined with noun BL (BʿL with the weakening of the guttural ʿ > Ø) (OSI, 24) and the divine name SYN. The name BLSYN is not found elsewhere. BLŠW, ,NG). Hypocoristicon. “BL is (my) stronghold”.

Masc. dated 243 CE, P. Dura 28:5, 29 (OSI P1; DP). ʾNṬYWKS hpws rhmws br BLŠW ʾRLYWS BLŠW

This name is a hypocoristic of the name BLŠWR(Y). It is made up of the divine name BL plus the noun ŠWR “stronghold”, which is attested in Palm. (Stark 1971, 10, 77; Healey 2009, 270)16. The name BLŠR… is found in an Aramaic inscription from Assur (Aggoula 1985, 39). BSMYʾ, *DO8). Hypocoristicon. “Son of SMYʾ”.

Masc., dated 250 CE, P. Euphr. 10:21. BRBʿŠMYN br BSMYʾ

BSMYʾ is a short form of the compound name BRSMYʾ (for discussion and parallels see under BRSMYʾ). The name BSMYʾ appears for the first time in P. Euphr. 10 and does not occur otherwise elsewhere in the old Syriac inscriptions.

BLŠW may alternatively be considered as a theophoric name meaning “The Lord is (Divine name)”, like BLSYN. 16

34

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

BʿYŠW17, ,ND^). Hypocoristicon, “Son of (BʿŠMYN).

Masc., dated 240 CE, P. Euphr. 18:ii, v, vii, 7, 10, 11, 12, 15, 21,24, 26, v1, v5 (OSI P2). BʿYŠW br ʾBGR

(ii, 7, 26)

BʿYŠW

(vii)

BʿYŠW br ŠMŠʿQB ʾntth dBʿYŠW ʾnʾ BʿYŠW BʿYŠW

BʿYŠW br TYMW

(v, 10, 15) (11) (12)

(21, 2x, 24) (v1, v5)

It could be a hypocoristic of the personal name BRBʿŠMYN/ BRBʿŠMN (for discussion and parallels see under BRBʿŠMYN), or probably a hypocoristic of the divine name BʿŠMN (used as personal name) with assimilation of the letter L to the following sibilant Š i.e. BʿLŠMYN > BʿŠMYN (Stark 1971, 11, 78). This name, however, belonged to three different persons and is found only in the document of a Syriac loan transfer of 240 CE. (P. Euphr. 18; OSI P2) and not elsewhere in Aramaic (Healey 2009, 258). BRʾ, K.). See under BRYʾ.

Masc., dated CE 240, Teixidor 1998b, 434 L 3. dʿbd BRʾ bytʾ hnʾ

In his comment on this name Prof. Healey suggested that the name BʿYŠW might be as a hypocoristic of BʿLYŠWʿ > BʿYŠWʿ > BʿYŠW, meaning “Baʿal saves”. Such names occur in Amorite (Huffmon 1965, 215-6) and in Hebrew ‫“ אלישע‬God is salvation” (1 Kings 19:16, etc.; BDB, 46). 17

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

35

BRʾB(?)N(?), (‫ܐܒ)؟(ܢ)؟‬.) Uncertain reading and meaning.

Masc., undated: probably 2nd/3rd century CE, Pirling 1997, Taf.62, 1b; Reichmann 2001, 490-1 and Abb. 9; Luther 2010, T2, 14-5. BRʾB(?)N(?)

This name probably belongs to the type of name which is formed from BR plus a divine or epithet. See e.g. BRNHR, BRŠMŠ, BRKLBʾ. BRBBS18, C+).). Genitive compound. “Son of BBS”.

Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As38:5 (25). BRBBS

This name is compounded from BR, “son” plus the name BBS (for discussion and parallels see BBS above). BRBSʾ, *8).). Hypocoristicon. “Son of BSʾ (BʿLŠMYN).”

Masc., dated 240 CE, P. Euphr. 18:29 (OSI P2). ʾnʾ BRBSʾ sprʾ

This name could be regarded a secondary development from BRBʿŠMYN taking into consideration the name BRBʿŠʾ which occurs in P. Dura. 28:i (OSI P1; DP) as a hypocoristic form of BRBʿŠMYN (Healey 2009, 269). However, the name BRBSʾ, is otherwise unparalleled (Healey 2009, 264).

The reading BRBBS seems more likely than BRKBŠ that was found in al-Jadir 1983, 132, 355. 18

36

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

BRBʿŠʾ, *N^).). Hypocoristicon. “Son of BʿŠMYN / BʿŠMN”. Masc., dated 243 CE, P. Dura 28:i (OSI P1; DP). TYRW br BRBʿŠʾ

The name BRBʿŠʾ is a hypocoristic of BRBʿŠMYN / BRBʾŠMN (for discussion and parallels see under BRBʿŠMYN). BRBʿŠMYN, QDON^).). Genitive compound. “Son of BʿŠMYN”.

1. Masc., dated 218 CE or 228 (or less likely, 238), OSI Am8:11 (D51). ZYDLT br BRBʿ[Š]MYN

2. Masc., dated 240 CE, P. Euphr. 18:29 (OSI P2). BRBSʾ sprʾ br BRBʿŠMYN

3. Masc., dated 249 CE, P. Euphr. 6:41; 7:37; 250 CE, P. Euphr. 10:20. [ʿrbt] ʾWRLS BRBʿŠMYN šhd

(P. Euphr. 6:41)

ʾWRLS BRBʿŠMYN

(P. Euphr. 10:20)

[ʿrbt ʾWRLS BRBʿŠMYN] šhd

(P. Euphr. 7:37)

4. Masc., undated, Rumschied 2013, 109-32; Voigt 2013:133-43. BRBʿŠMYN

5. Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, Bertolino 2004, AS.L8.01:1, 55-6. B..ŠMŠ br BLY br BRBʿŠMYN

This name is compounded from the noun BR, “son” (for the use of the element BR in the other Semitic theophoric names see Caquot 1962, 239-40) and the divine name BʿŠMYN). The elision of the L before sibilant Š is attested in the second element i.e. BRBʿLŠMYN > BRBʿŠMYN (Segal 1959, 39; Jenni 1965, 280; Sachau 1882, 146). The personal name BRBʿLŠMYN without elision is found in Hatra (Hatra 291:1;

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

37

314:1; Marcato 2018, 39). The divine name BʿŠMN is used also as a personal name in Palm. (Stark 1971, 11, 78) and the form BʿLŠMYN as a personal name occurs likewise in Aram. (Dupont-Sommer 1948, 44). The divine name, with forms BʿLŠMYN, BʿLŠMN, BʿŠMYN, BʿŠMN, is found in Hat. (Hatra 16:1; 17; 30:7; 23:1, 3; 25:2; 29:3; 49:3; Abbadi 1983, 59). Different forms of this divine name are found also in other Semitic languages, for example, in Arab. BʿLSMN, BʿLSMY (Ryckmans 1934, I, 8; Littmann 1943a, 303); in Palm. BʿLŠMYN, BʿLŠMN (Ingholt 1955, 182; Stark 1971, 59); in Nab. BʿLŠMN (Cantineau 1932, II, 73). BRBʿ(L)ŠMYN is found as the name of a Christian martyr (middle of the 4th century) and a Christian noble (6th century) (Harrak 1992, 320). BRBʿŠMN, QON^).). Genitive compound. “Son of BʿŠMN”.

1. Masc., dated 218 CE or 228 (or less likely, 238), OSI Am8:2, 20 (D51). ZYDLT br BRBʿŠMN BRBʿŠMN br ZYDLT

2. Masc., dated 243 CE, P. Dura 28:8 (OSI P1; DP). TYRW br BRBʿŠMN

The defective writing of the vowel ī is clear in this name. For discussion and parallels see under BRBʿŠMYN. BRHDD, ‫ܗܕܕ‬.). Genitive compound. “Son of HDD”.

Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am11:2. BRHDD br ʿBDNW

The name is made up of the noun BR “son” and the wellknown Aramaic divine name HDD, a god of heaven and thunder-storm (BDB, 212; Drijvers 1980, 82). At least three kings of Aram-Damascus mentioned in the Old Testament bore the

38

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC name BNHDD = Aram. BRHDD. The name of the king of Aram BRHDD is also attested in two Old Aramaic inscriptions (Gibson 1975, II, no. 1:1-2; 5 A:4, 5).

BRHM, ‫ܗܡ‬.). One-word name. “Fixed look, stare”. Masc., undated, OSI As58:4-5 (D62). qbr[ʾ] dMKYL br BRHM

It seems plausible to connect the form BRHM with the proper name ‫ ﺑَْﺮھَﻢ‬which is seen in Arab. (Caskel 1966, 224; Harding 1971, 103)19. This name is to be derived from ‫ﺑَْﺮھََﻢ‬, “to stare, look fixedly” (Ibn Manẓūr, vol. 12, 48). The proper name BRHM is also attested in Nab. (Cook 1898, 33). No other occurrence has been found20. BRWNʾ, *2‫ܘ‬.). One-word name. “Little son”.

Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As35:1 (D22). dkyr BRWNʾ wŠWTNʾ

This personal name is a diminutive of the word BR .)ܰ “son” with –WN which is used as a diminutive ending in class.Syr. (Nӧldeke 1904a, § 131). In Arab. the name ‫( ﺑُﻨَﻲ‬Ryckmans 1934, I, 52; Littmann 1943a, 302; Winnett 1957, 141) is found as a diminutive of the ‫اﺑٌْﻦ‬. The variant proper name BRʾ occurs in Palm. (Ingholt 1955, 171; Stark 1971, 11, 78).

It is not impossible that the name BRHM is connected with ʾBRHM ‫אברהם‬, the name found in Heb., with the elision of the initial ʾ (cf. Genesis 17:5, 9, 15; Nehemiah 9:7; Noth 1980, 145, n.1). 20 Less likely is the suggestion of Segal that the name BRHM might be related to the Iranian name Bahram with metathesis between R and H, or to the form BHRʾ or BHRM found in Palm. (see Segal 1967, 301). 19

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

39

BRZDQ, ‫ܙܕܩ‬.). Genitive compound. “Son of the just/pious one”.

Masc., undated, Bertolino 2004, AS.X.02:1, 57, pl. IVa. BRZD/WQ

The reading BRZDQ seems more probable than BRZWQ. The name BRZDQ is a compound name from BR “son” and ZDQ ‫ܳܙܶܕܩ‬, act. part. “just, righteous”. This name is not attested elsewhere, but the related form ZDQL occurs in Palm. (Stark 1971 ,19, 86), ZDQ and ZDQʾ in Hat. and Nab. (Beyer 1998, 158; Marcato 2018, 58; Cantineau 1932, II, 92). The name ṢDQ ‫“ ﺻﺪق‬righteous” is well known name in Arab. The name ṢDWQ/ṢDQ ‫צדוק‬, ‫ צדק‬is attested in Heb. (1 Kings 1:26; 2 Samuel 8:17). BRḤW(?)Nʾ, *2(‫)؟‬,X.). Uncertain.

Masc., dated 226 CE, Abadie-Reynal, et al. 1999, 363, 9:6, Fig. 41. BRḤW(?)Nʾ

This name may be compounded of the words BR “son” and ܰ “little brother”, diminutive form of ʾḤʾ ḤWNʾ, Syr. *2ܳ,Xܽ‫ܐ‬ with the elision of the first letter (ʾ). The personal name ḤWNʾ is attested in the Aramaic inscriptions of Assur (Aggoula 1985, 3, II:4; 17 I:3; 19:2; 26:2; 29b:2). The related form ʾῌWNY “my little brother” is attested in Aram. (Cook 1898, 15). BRYʾ, *F.). One-word name. “Pure”.

Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As38:6 (D26). ...KYŠ br BRYʾ

40

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC ܺ The name BRYʾ is a derivative of K.), paʿel ‫ܝ‬.)ܰ, Arab., ‫ ﺑَِﺮئ‬, which means “to be pure, be free from disease”21 . The proper name ‫ ﺑََﺮاء‬is attested in Arab. (Ibn Doreid 1854, 273; Ryckmans 1934, I, 55; Littmann 1943a, 303) and BRʾW in Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 74; Negev 1991, 17). The form BRY occurs in Palm (Ingholt 1955, 171; Stark 1971, 11, 79) and Ph. (Benz 1972, 291).

BRKLBʾ, *+GI.). Genitive compound. “Son of KLBʾ”

1. Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As48:1; As49:5; As50:5 (D6; D7; D8). ḤPSY br BRKLBʾ

2. Masc., undated, Rumschied 2013, 109-32; Voigt 2013, 133-43. BRKLBʾ

3. Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, Brock 2006-7, 715-7, Figs 1-3. BRKLBʾ

KLB, is a common element in Semitic proper names (Nӧldeke 1904b, 79; Huffmon 1965, 152, 221, for discussion and parallels; Benz 1972, 331). Animal names are to be expected in the personal names of the early Syriac inscriptions because of the frequent occurrence of them in other Semitic languages. The name BRKLBʾ is attested in Hat. (Hatra 145:1; 317:1; Abbadi 1983, 9, 89-90; Marcato 2018, 40)22. The form Other suggestions for the name BRYʾ may be noted: (a) It could be related to the root K.ܳ) “to create”. (b) It would be possible that the name BRYʾ represents a hypocoristic form of the theophoric name BRʿTʾ or BRPʾ known in Palm.or BRKBʿL known in Ph. (See Ingholt 1955, 171; Benz 1972, 291). 22 The element KLBʾ in Hat. is used as an epithet for the god Nergal as appears in inscriptions 70; 71:1, see Drijvers 1978, 171, 179; Safar 1955, 11, n.38; Healey 2009, 235; Dirven 2009, 52-7). 21

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

41

KLB, ‫ﺐ‬ ٌ ‫ َﻛْﻠ‬, a one-word name (cf. the personal name KLBʾ in P. Dura 28:24, OSI P1; DP) occurs frequently in Arab. (Ryckmans 1934, I, 114; Littmann 1943a, 320; Winnett 1957, 191; Harding 1971, 502). ‫ ﺑَﻨﻮ ﻛﻠﺐ‬is the name of a famous Arab. tribe (Ibn Doreid 1854, 13). BNKLBN and BNKLBT are well attested in various ancient North-Arabian dialects (Harahshah 2010, no. 205; Marcato 2018, 40). KLBʾ is found in Palm. (Ingholt 1955, 156; Stark 1971, 29, 92), KLBW in Nab. (Cook 1898, 64; Cntineau 1932, II, 10,107; Negev 1991, 35) and KLB ‫ כלב‬in Heb. (e.g. Numbers 32:12; Noth 1980, 230). *+ܳGIܰ.)ܰ was the name of an early Edessan nobleman (Thes. Syr. 1743; Cureton, 1846, aF : 23.) BRKMRʾ, K.OI.). Genitive compound. “Son of KMRʾ”. Masc. undated, OSI As57:1 ]bn BRKMRʾ

This name is compounded from the noun BR, “son”, and KMRʾ, “priest”. KMRʾ occurs in Palm. as a personal name and tribal name (Cook 1898, 64; Stark 1971, 29, 57, 92). The personal names BRKMRʾ and KMRʾ are found in Hat. (Hatra 388:1; 1103:1; Beyer 1998, 160; Marcato 2018, 40, 72-3) and Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 107; Negev, 1991, 36; Macdonald 1999, 279). The name KMR (?) in Arab. (Littmann, 1943a, 321) is connected with Arab. ‫“ َﻛَﻤَﺮ‬to cover” (Harding 1971, 505). The related personal name KMRʾLHʾ “priest of God” is attested in an Aramaic inscription from 8th-7th century BCE (Laflı 2016, 447). BRLHʾ, 7>=.). Genitive compound. “Son of (ʾ)LHʾ”.

1. Masc., undated: probably 1st century CE, Roschinski 1983, 79-86; Luther 2010, T1, 12-3. BRLHʾ

2. Masc., undated, Desreumaux 2007, 125. BRLHʾ

42

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC This name is formed from BR “son” plus the divine name ʾLHʾ “god” with elision of the letter ʾ i.e. BRʾLHʾ > BRLHʾ (see BRTLHʾ below). The name BRʾLHʾ is found in the Aramaic Inscriptions from Assur (Aggula 1985, 15a:4). The nonChristian name BRLHʾ (for BRʾLHʾ) was given to an Edessan author and martyr (Harrak 1992, 320). This form may be compared with the name of the main god at Sumatar who was given the epithet MRLHʾ (Māralāhē) “lord of the gods” (for discussion see Healey 2019a, 59). Related name forms BNʾLH and BNLH are attested in Arab. (Littmann 1943a, 302; Harahshah 2010, nos. 186, 236).

BRLY, 4=.). Hypocoristicon. “Son of my (god)”.

Masc., undated: probably from 3rd century CE, Teixidor 1998a, 116, L. 10. BRLY br SPNY

The name BRLY is a theophoric name with a hypocoristic form of the divine name ʾLHʾ, with elision of the letter ʾ and apocope of the letter H. It would be possible that the letter Y represents a pronoun of the 1st sing. suff. BRMTʾ, 76?.). Hypocoristicon. “Son of MTʾ”. Masc., undated, OSI As25:1 (D41). dBRMTʾ

The element MTʾ is a short form of the theophoric name MTʾL “the relative is ʾL” which is seen in Arab. (Ryckmans 1934, I, 133; Littmann 1943a, 326; Winnett 1957, 193). The form MT Arab. ‫ﻣﺖ‬, “kinship, family ties” is to be derived from the root ‫“ َﻣ ﱠ‬to be related” (Ibn Manẓūr, vol. 11, 88). The name MTʾ ‫ﺖ‬ occurs in Palm.23 The personal name MTY ‫ َﻣﺘِﻲ‬is well-known

For other meanings of the element MTʾ see Lipiński 1975, vol. I, 126129 and 129, n. 1. Lipiński excluded the meaning “gift” for the names 23

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

43

name among the Christians in Iraq, but this name is derived from the Bible (‫ܝ‬6ܰ?ܰ Mattai = Matthew) (Matthew 9:9). BRMTY, ‫ܝ‬6?.). Hypocoristicon. “Son of MTY”.

Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As32:1 (D19). dBRMTY

For discussion and parallels see under BRMTʾ. BRNBW, ,+2.). Genitive compound. “Son of NBW”.

1. Masc., undated, Önal 2013 et al. p. 15, no.7; Rumscheid 2013, 109-32. ŠLWM brt BRNBW

2. Masc., undated, probably 3rd century C, Brock 20067, 715-17, Figs 1-3. BRN(?)BW

For discussion and parallels see under BRNBS. BRNBS, C+2.). Genitive compound. “Son of Nebō”.

Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am3:15 (D46). BRNBS br BLY

The divine name Nebō is found in Aram. (for discussion see Gibson 1975, II, no. 7 i A:8), Hat.24 (Hatra 340:2; 390:2;

MTʾ and MTBWL in Palm. which are already discussed by Stark 1971, 98. 24 For the first time the divine name “NBW ʾlhʾ” has been found in a Hatran inscription (Hatra 403:2), cf. W. al-Salihi, “The Recently Excavated Shrine of Nabu at Hatra”, (unpublished paper read at the

44

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC 403:2; 404:2; Beyer 1998, 149) and Heb. ‫( נבו‬Isaiah 46:1. For proper names with Nebō see BDB, 613). The proper name BRNBS appears in this Syriac inscription with the ending -S which represents the Greek form βαρνάβαϛ of the name BARNABA, although this name is known in the Peshitta of the New Testament as BARNABA *+ܰ2ܰ.)ܰ (Acts 4:36, 37; 13:1, 2; Leroy 1957, 320-21; Vattioni 1971, 445-46). The personal name BRNBW is found in Palm. and Hat. (Ingholt 1955, 171; Cook 1898, 34; Stark 1971, 12, 79; Hatra 212:1; Abbadi 1983, 10, 90; Marcato 2018, 41). It is worth noting that Nebō, Bēl and Atargatis were the main gods to be worshipped in Edessa according to the Teaching of Addai (see Healey 2019a, 51-2; Drijvers 1980, 40).

BRNHR, ‫>ܪ‬2.). Genitive compound. “Son of NHR”.

Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As49:1; As52:3 (D7; D10). BRNHR br DYNY

This name is consisted of the noun BR “son” plus the divine epithet? NHR (“light”), which forms part of early south Arabian religion (Ryckmans 1934, I, 22; the divine name NHR appears in Ug. as the god of the river “‫)”ﻧَْﮭﺮ‬. Theophoric names with the divine name NHR, such as NHRBT ‫ ﻧﮭﺮﺑﺖ‬and NHRWHB ‫ ﻧﮭﺮوھﺐ‬occur in Arab. (Ryckmans 1934, I, 22125). Also, the name NHR, a one-word name, is found in Arab. (Ibn Doreid 1854, 199; Ryckmans 1934, I, 137; Littmann 1943a, 328; Winnett 1957, 202), Palm. NHRʾ (this name may be the hypocoristic of a theophoric name, e.g., NHRWHB, NHRʾL, cf. Stark 1971, 39, 99), and Hat. NYHRʾ (Hatra 139:1; 198:2; Abbadi 1983, 27, 129; Marcato 2018, 85). In Arab. NHR, “to shine”, or in the causative form, “to enlighten”,

Rencontre Assyriologique in London, July 1982). Later on, this paper was published in Iraq, vol. XLV, Spring 1983, 140-45. For the divine name “NBW ʾlhʾ” see also (Hatra 404:2).

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

45

with the divine name ʾL forms the theophoric name NHRʾL ‫(ﻧﮭﺮال‬Ryckmans 1934, I, 236; Littmann 1943a, 328). BRNY, 42.). Hypocoristicon. “Son of Ne(bō)”.

1. Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As32:3 (D19). dkyr BRNY

2. Masc., dated 228 CE, OSI Am7:4 (D50). ʾPTWḤʾ br BRNY

3. Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As60:3; Laflı 2016, 446. The name is formed from BR plus the divine name Nebō (Drijvers 1993, 149-50 suggested the divine name Nanaia rather than Nebō). The -Y at the end of the name is a hypocoristic ending. The hypocoristic name BRNY is likewise attested in Palm. and Hat. (Stark 1971, 12, 79; Hatra 408:2; Beyer 1998, 156; Marcato 2018, 41). The similar personal names BRNYʾ and BRNNY are found in Hat. (Abaddi 1983, 10, 90-1; Beyer 1998, 156; Marcato 2018, 42) and perhaps at Assur (Aggoula 1985, 36b:2). BRNY is a name of a priest, a bishop of Karmē and a bishop of Edessa during the time of emperor Constantine (Harrak 1992, 320). BRSGD25, /-R.). Genitive compound. “Son of SGD”.

Masc., dated 194 CE, Healey 2006, 313-327. BRSGD rṣwpʾ rṣp

The name is made up of the noun BR “son” and the element SGD “worshipper” as an act. part. of the verb /-ܶR, Arab. َ‫ﺳَﺠﺪ‬ َ “to bow down, worship, prostrate oneself in prayer”. The reading BRSGR is possible as the name Barsagar (Βαρσαλαρ) is found in Dura-Europos (Grassi 2012, 41). 25

46

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC Parallels are not otherwise attested in Palm., Nab., and Hat. (Healey 2009, 247). The variant name BRSʾ as an Edessan personal name seems to be a hypocoristic of a name similar to BRSGD (Healey 2006, p.323). ‫ ﺳّﺠﺎد‬and ‫ ﺳﺎﺟﺪ‬are wellknown personal names in Arab. nowadays.

BRSMYʾ, *DOR.). Genitive compound. “Son of SMYʾ”.

1. Masc., undated, late 2nd or early 3rd century CE, OSI Am10:1, 7, 16. BRSMYʾ br ʾŠDW

ʿZL ʾmh dBRSMYʾ 2. Masc., undated, OSI Bs3:2. ʾGY br BRSMYʾ

3. Masc., dated 243 CE, P. Dura 28:v4 (OSI P1; DP); 250 CE, P. Euphr. 10:24. ʾBGR br BRSMYʾ ʾWRLS BRSMYʾ

(P. Dura 28:v4)

(P. Euphr. 10:24)

4. Masc., undated, OSI Add 6, Ӧnal et al. 2013, 15, no.4:3. BRSM[Yʾ]

5. Masc., undated, Rumschied 2013, 109-32; Voigt 2013, 133-43. BRSMYʾ

6. Masc., undated, Gioia and Moriggi, 2020, Mosaic no. 1, 387-88, 393-94. BRSMYʾ

7. Masc., dated 226 CE, Abadie-Reynal et al. 1999, 363, 9:5, Fig. 41. ZBDʿTʾ br BRSMYʾ

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

47

8. Masc., undated, 3rd century CE, Teixidor 1998a, 116, L. 8. BRSMYʾ br BKSTʾ

9. Masc., undated, 1st century CE, Roschinski 1983, 7986; Luther 2010, T1, 12-3. BRSMYʾ

10. Masc., undated, 2nd/3rd century CE, Pirling 1997, Taf. 62, 1b; Reichmann 2001, 490-1 and Abb. 9; Luther 2010, T2, 14-5. BRSMYʾ

11. Masc., undated, 2nd/3rd century CE, Luther 2010, T3, 15-7. BR(S)M[Yʾ]

12. Masc., undated, Desreumaux and Ӧnal 2017, 132-3 dGDYʾ br BRSMYʾ

This name is made up of BR and the divine name SMYʾ. There are several explainations of the theophoric element SMYʾ26, but the most probable suggestion is that the Semitic SMYʾ (from a root ‫ܡ‬,R, [Rܳ “to put, set up”) is related to the Greek σημεῖον and means “standard, emblem”. The standard is often found as a divine symbol and was used particularly in Hatra (Drijvers 1980, 95, n.56; Drijvers 1981, 18, n. 12; Drijvers 1982, 173-75). SMYʾ is a very common element in the proper names in Hat. cf. BRSMYʾ, ʿBDSMYʾ, ʿBSMYʾ (Hatra e.g. 20:1; 15; 20:1, 26:1; 28:2; The following alternative interpretations of SMYʾ are possible: (a) SMYʾ *DܳORܰ “blind”. This was an epithet of Mars among the pagan people of Harran (Flügel 1871, vol. I, 325; Segal 1954, 21; Ḥabib 1973, 166-69 also for other views). (b) Ingholt discussed the form SMYʾ as a divine name, “Heaven” (Ingholt 1954, 27, 43). This view is adopted by al-Salihi 1970, 189, n.20. (c) Ingholt 1955, 67-8, refers to some of the names with SMYʾ/ŠMYʾ as abbreviated names based on ŠMŠ with the ending -Y and ʾ. 26

48

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC 35:2; 201:1; 213:1; 333; 341:1). The form BRSMYʾ is likewise attested in Palm. (Stark 1971, 12, 74) and in Hat. (Hatra 200:1; Abbadi 1983, 11, 91-2). The name also occurs in the earliest Syriac literature (Cureton 1864, /R: 10, 14, 17, 24, 25) and in the Doctrine of Addai (Phillips 1876, >=: 6; Harrak 1992, 320, 322).

BRʿMTʾ, 76O0.). Genitive compound. “Son of ʿMTʾ”. Masc., dated 224 CE, OSI Am9:4.

It seems plausible to connect the element ʿMTʾ with the Arab. proper name ʿMT ‫ﻋﻤﺖ‬, “brave, intelligent”27, the letter ʾ at the end of name BRʿMTʾ representing the Aramaic emphatic state. The personal name ʿMT is found in Nab. (Negev 1991, 53). BRʿŠY, 4N0.). Genitive compound. “Son of ʿŠY”.

Masc., undated: probably 3rd century CE, OSI As12:1 (D58). BRʿŠY br ʾDY

The second element ʿŠY may be connected with the Arab. noun ʿŠY ‫ﻋِﺸﻲ‬ َ “evening” (Ibn Manẓūr, vol. 15, 60)28. The proper names ʿŠY and ʿŠYʾ are attested in Hat. (Hatra 85, 209:2; 212:3; Abbadi 1983, 46, 156-7; Marcato 2018, 112) and Palm. (Stark 1971, 45, 107).

Ibn Manẓūr, vol. 2, 60; Littmann 1943a, 336; Drijvers 1973, 13-14. Two other interpretations for ʿMTʾ are possible: (a) it could be derived from the root ‫“ ﻋََﻤﺖ‬to wind wool”, and the meaning might be “fleece” (Harding 1971, 435. (b) The form ʿMTʾ 76ܳO0ܰ might mean “paternal aunt” (Drijvers 1973, 13). 28 The word ʿŠY means also “night-blind” in Arab. This is derived from ʿŠʾ ‫ﺸﺎ‬ َ َ‫“ ﻋ‬to be night-blind, be dim-sighted” (Ibn Manẓūr, vol. 15, 56-7; Lane, 2055). ʿŠY may also be connected with the Heb. ‫“ עשה‬to do, make”. 27

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS BRʿTʾ, 760.). Genitive compound. “Son of ʿTʾ”. 1.

Masc., undated: probably 201/202 As19:1(D34).

CE,

49

OSI

GʿL brt BRʿTʾ

2. Masc., dated 259 CE, OSI Am1:9, 13 (D44). ʿ]BD[N]ḤY br BRʿT[ʾ ZNDWRʾ ʾnnt BRʿTʾ

3. Masc., dated 209 CE, OSI As9:1 (D54). ʿBŠʾ br BRʿTʾ

4. Masc., dated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Cm14:2. MLKDN br BRʿTʾ

5. Masc., dated 240 CE, P. Euphr. 18:v3 (OSI P2). ŠLM br BRʿTʾ

6. Masc., dated 242 CE, P. Euphr. 19:6 (OSI P3). BRʿTʾ br ŠLMSYN

The name is formed from BR and the divine name ʿTʾ. BRʿTʾ and BRʿTH are attested in Palm. (Ingholt 1955, 171; Stark 1971, 12, 79). The name BRʿY, which occurs in Hat., is probably a hypocoristic form of the name BRʿTʾ (Hatra 27:5; 203:1; 208; 240:1; Abbadi 1983, 11; 92; Beyer 1998, 156; Marcato 2018, 42-43). BRQʾ, *b.). One-word name. “Lightning, flash of lightning”. Masc., dated 235/6 CE, OSI Am6:5 (D49). BRŠMŠ br BRQʾ

The root BRQ “to lighten, shine”, is common in the Semitic languages (Huffmon 1965, 178, for discussion and parallels). ٌ ‫ﺑَْﺮ‬, a one-word name, is attested in Arab. (Ryckmans BRQ ‫ق‬

50

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC 1932, I, 56, 288; Winnett 1957, 145), while the form BʾRQ ‫ ﺑَﺎِرق‬is the name of an Arab tribe (Ibn Doreid 1854, 365). The personal name BRQ occurs also in the early Syriac literature (Cureton 1967, a0: 4). The names BRQ and BRWQʾ are attested in Palm. (Ingholt 1955, 171; Stark 1971, 12, 80), and BRQN with the suffix N is found in Ph. (Benz 1972, 292, 293). The name BRQ ‫ ברק‬occurs in Heb. (Judges 4:6, 8 etc.; Noth 1980, 226) while in an Assyrian text the name Bar-ruqu is mentioned (Tallqvist 1914, 52; Saggs 1965, 22).

BRŠ[…., ….]‫ܫ‬.). Incomplete name.

Masc., undated, probably first half of the 3rd century CE, OSI As1:3 (D27). BRŠ[….ʿ]bdt ʾsṭwnʾ

The letters BRŠ may represent the beginning of one of the following personal names found in the Syriac corpus: BRŠMŠ, BRŠLMʾ or BRŠWMʾ. BRŠWMʾ, *M?,T.). Genitive compound. “Son of ŠWMʾ”.

Masc., undated: probably 2nd half of 2nd century CE, OSI As20:1, 7 (D35). ʿYW brt BRŠWMʾ

dkyr BRŠWMʾ br WʾL The element ŠWMʾ seems to be related to the Arab. ‫ﺳﺎَم‬ َ “to pasture”, as the personal name ‫ﺳْﻮٌم‬ “pasture” is found in َ Arab. (Ibn Doreid, 1854, 221; Harding 1971, 335; Caskel 1966, 51). The name *?ܳ,Tܽ .)ܰ is known from Peshitta New Testament (Acts 13:6), being used as a euphemism for .) ‫ܥ‬,NF (Bar-Jesus), a magician, in order to avoid using the Holy Name (Jennings 1962, 40, 218). The name BRŠWMʾ has no parallels elsewhere.

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

51

BRŠLMʾ, *MOGT.). Hypocoristicon. “Son of ŠLM(N)”.

Masc., dated 218 or 228 CE (or less likely 238), OIS Am8:12 (D51). BRŠLMʾ br ZYDLT

The second element, ŠLMʾ29, is a hypocoristic of the divine name ŠLMN attested in Palm. (Stark 1971, 114) and Ph. (Cooke 1903, 42-3). See also ʿBŠLMʾ below. The name BRŠLMʾ is found in early Syriac literature (Cureton 1967, /F: 24). The forms ŠLMʾ and ŠLM are found in Palm. (Ingholt 1955, 178; Stark 1971, 51-2, 114), ŠLMʾ in Hat. (Hatra 18:2; Abbadi 1983, 51, 168; Beyer 1998, 166; Marcato 2018, 124), while the personal name ŠLMW is seen in Nab. with the final W and it is also the name of a tribe (Cook 1898, 114; Cantineau 1932, II, 151; Negev 1991, 64). BRŠMʾ, *MOT.). Hypocoristicon. “Son of ŠMŠ”.

Masc., undated: probably early 3rd CE, OSI Am11:6. RWMʾ br BRŠMʾ dkyr

The name BRŠMʾ is to be considered a hypocoristic of BRŠMŠ known in OSI As4:2 (see BRŠMŠ below). It may be suggested that BRŠMʾ is a defective form of the name BRŠWM (OSI, 190) mentioned above. BRŠMŠ, POT.). Genitive compound. “Son of ŠMŠ”.

1. Masc., undated: probably 2nd/3rd century CE, OSI As:4 (D30). ….N ḥth dBRŠMŠ

Other suggestions have been offered for ŠLMʾ: (a) it could be a short form of the theophoric name ŠLMʿTʾ (see ŠLMʿTʾ below), (b) ŠLMʾ might be connected with the Arab. personal name ŠLM ‫“ ﺷّﻠﻢ‬spark” (Ryckmans 1934, I, 209; Harding 1971, 355). (c) it is possible that the element ŠLMʾ is a hypocoristic from the non-divine personal name ŠLMN (cf. ŠLMN below). 29

52

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC 2. Masc., dated 235/6 CE, OSI Am6:4 (D49). BRŠMŠ br BRQʾ

3. Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As33:2 (D20). dkyr BRŠMŠ [Š

4. Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, Bertolino 2004, AS.L8.01:1, 55-6. B[R]ŠMŠ br BLY

This name is a compound of BR plus the divine name ŠMŠ, the sun-god who was worshipped throughout the Semitic world30. At Edessa, the personal name BRŠMŠ appears also in the earliest literary works (Cureton 1967, eF: 20). As a divine and personal name ŠMS ‫ﺲ‬ َ is attested in Arab. ٌ ‫ﺷْﻤ‬ (Ryckmans 1934, I, 33, 210). Theophoric names compounded with ŠMS also occur in Arab., e.g. BRYŠMS ‫ﺑﺮﯾﺸﻤﺲ‬ “ŠMS is pure”, ʿBŠMS (with elision of D before Š) ‫ﻋﺒﺸﻤﺲ‬ “servant of ŠMS” (Ryckmans, 1934, I, 222, 241). The name BRŠMŠ is likewise found in Palm. (Cook 1898, 34; Stark 1971, 12, 80) and Hat. (Hatra 246:1; 393c:1; 432:1 etc.; Beyer 1998, 156; Marcato 2018, 44). BRTLHʾ, 7>=‫ܬ‬.). Genitive compound. “Daughter of (ʾ)LHʾ”.

Fem., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am2:15 (D45) BRTLHʾ

This name consists of BRT “daughter” (for the use of a kinship term as a personal name see under ḤTʾ) plus the divine name ʾLHʾ. For the use of a kinship term as a personal name For discussion of this deity see 156 below. The solar deity gave birth to a very great number of Semitic theophoric names of which the best known in Syriac are BRŠMŠ (Leroy 1957, 322) and ʿBDŠMŠ (see ʿBDŠMŠ below). 30

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

53

see under ῌTʾ. The elision of ʾ in the second element in this name is to be noted, i.e. BRTʾLHʾ > BRTLHʾ (for discussion see BRLHʾ above). The divine name ʾLHʾ is used as a personal name in Arab. ٌ‫( إﻟﮫ‬Littmann 1943a, 298; Winnett 1957, 142) and in Nab. ʾLH, meaning “god” (Cantineau 1932, II, 63; Negev 1991, 12). The masculine personal names ‫ﻋﺒﺪ اﻹﻟﮫ‬, ‫ﻋﺒﺪ‬ sّ are very frequent in Arab. The name BRTLHʾ has no parallels elsewhere. BTʾ, 76). Hypocoristicon. “House of ʾL”.

Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As40:4 (D65). hnʾ ṣlmʾ dʿbd ʿLBL br ḤMṬWṬʾ lBTʾ brh

It seems plausible that the masculine personal name BTʾ31 is a hypocoristic form of the theophoric name ‫“ ביתאל‬house of ʾL”32 (place name), which is found in Heb. (Joshua 7:2; Noth 1980,127-8). The female personal name BTʾ is found in Palm. but the name BTY was born by both males and females33 (Stark 1971, 12-13, 80). A Bishop of Tella was known by the name BTʾ (Drijvers 1973, 4). BTNNY, 4L26). Genitive compound. “Daughter of NNY”.

Fem. Dated 240 CE, P. Euphr. 18:vi, 11 (OSI P2). BTNNY ʾtth

BTNNY ʾtth dBʿYŠW

It seems less likely to interpret the name BTʾ as “daughter”, as in Palm., since the early Syriac inscriptions do not offer the form BT, but only BRT, for “daughter” (cf. Segal 1973, 621; Stark 1971, 80). 32 Drijvers and Healey’s point of view is that this interpretation “seems unlikely outside the biblical/Palestinian context” (OSI, 119). 33 The fact that it is used of males and females also tells against “daughter” (cf. n. 31 above). 31

54

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC The name is formed from BT “daughter” and the name of goddess NNY. In classical Syriac ‫ܬ‬.̱) brt is written with letter r, but its non-pronunciation is indicated by the linea occultans. However, BT suggests deletion of R as a matter of orthography. The form BT as a first element of a compound name is attested in Palm. e.g. BTWHBY (Stark 1971, 12, 80) and in Hat. BTSMYʾ (Hatra 28:1; 36:4; Abbadi 1983, 11, 93; Beyer 1998, 157; Marcato 2018, 45).

BTSMYʾ, *DOR6). Genitive compound. “Daughter of SMYʾ”.

Fem., undated, Rumschied 2013, 109-32; Voigt 2013, 133-43. BTSMYʾ

The name is formed from the element BT and the divine name SMYʾ. The Hatran personal name BTSMYʾ provides an exact parallel (Hatra 28:1; 36:4; Abbadi 1983, 11, 93; Marcato 2018, 45). The variant name BTŠMYʾ “daughter of ŠMŠ” is attested in Palm. (Stark 1971, 13, 81). BTŠLMʾ,*MOGT6) . Genitive compound. “Daughter of ŠLMʾ”.

Fem., undated, Rumschied 2013, 109-32; Voigt 2013, 133-43. BTŠLMʾ

The theophoric element ŠLMʾ is a hypocoristic form of the divine name ŠLMN (for possible several interpretations of the name ŠLMʾ see BRŠLMʾ and ʿBŠLMʾ). GBY, 4+:. One-word name. “Collector, tax-gatherer”.

Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am5:4, 8, 11 (D48). GBY

ʾDWNʾ br GBY (2x)

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

55

ܰ , “collector”, which GBY has a connection with Syriac *Dܳ+ܳ: ܳ is a derivative of the verb *+:“to collect, choose”. The personal name GBY ‫“ َﺟﺎﺑِﻲ‬collector, tax-gatherer”, from ‫َﺟﺒَﻰ‬, is attested in Arab. (Ryckmans 1934, I, 57, 378; Harding 1971, 152)34. The name GBY ‫ גבי‬occurs also in Heb. (Nehemiah 11:8; Noth 1980, 39). GD,/:. A divine name used as a personal name.

Masc., dated, 249 CE, P.Euphr. 6:44; 7:40. ʾWRLS GD šh[d]

The name GD is to be connected with the Arab. ّ‫ َﺟﺪ‬and the ܰ ) meaning “fortune, luck” (Ibn Aram. noun GDD (Syr. /: Manẓūr, vol. 3, 107-8; DNWSI, 212-3). GD ّ‫َﺟﺪ‬, as a personal name is attesed in Arab. (Littmann 1943a, 304). The names GDʾ and GDYʾ are found in Palm. (Stark 1971, 13, 81). GDʾ, GDW and GDY occur in Hat. (Hatra 240:1; 246:1; 414a:1; 107:1, 2; Abbadi 1983, 12,94; Beyer 1998, 157; Marcato 2018, 46). The divine forms GDʾ (with the assimilation of N to the following letter D), GNDʾ and GNDH are found in Hat. as well (Hatra 288a:8; 297:2; 58:2; 235:1; 288:c3; 296; 79:1; 125:2; Abbadi 1983, 59-60; Beyer 1998, 147). al-Salihi suggested that Hercules in Hatran inscriptions is to be identified with GNDʾ, god of fortune among Arabs (al-Salihi 1973, 99100). The names GD, GDY, GDYʾL are attested in Heb. ‫גד‬,‫גדי‬,‫(גדיאל‬Genesis 35:26; 2 Kings 15:14, 17; Numbers 13:10, 11). GDʾ, K/:. Hypocoristicon.

Masc. dated CE 242, P. Euph. 19:26, 27 (OSI P3). GDʾ sprʾ br GDʾ sprʾ

Littmann 1943a, 304 considered the name GBY as a hypocoristicon of the name GBR. This suggestion does not seem very likely. 34

56

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC This is a shortened form of theophoric name compounded with the divine name GD such as GDYHB “GD gave”, a name which was born by a Christian bishop and martyr in Mesopotamia (Harrak 1992, 221). For discussion and parallels see under GD.

GDYʾ, *F/:. Uncertain.

1. Masc., undated, Rumschied 2013, 109-32; Voigt 2013, 133-43. GDYʾ br MʾNʾ GDYʾ

2. Masc., undated, Desreumaux and Önal 2017, 132-4, Pl.149. GDYʾ br BRSMYʾ

ʾmʾ ʾntt GDYʾ sprʾ ʾPTWḤʾ br GDYʾ

ܰ , meaning “kid, This name is either a one-word name *Fܳ/: goat” (Compendious, 60) with emphatic ending ʾ or a hypocoristic form from the noun GD “fortune” plus divine name (for discussion and parallels see GD and GDʾ). GDYʾ is found in Palm. (Cook 1898, 36; Stark 1971, 13, 81) and Nab. (Cantineau, II, 76; Negeve 1991, 18). The names GDʾ, GDW and GDY occur in Hat. (Hatra 107:1, 2; 240:1; 246:1; 414a:1; Abbadi, 1983, 12, 94; Beyer 1998, 157; Marcato 2018, 46). GHD/RW, ‫ܪܘ‬/‫>ܕ‬:. Uncertain.

Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Cm1:1; Desreumaux 2000, 212-13. GHD/RW br GRMW

The reading GHDW is possible and in this case it could be related to the Arab. personal name ‫ ِﺟﮭﺎد‬from the verb ‫“ َﺟﺎَھَﺪ‬to fight, to strife”. As for the name GHRW, it can be derived from the Syriac GHR ‫ܰ>ܪ‬: “to be dazzled, dimmed” (Compendious,

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

57

62; Desreumaux 2000, 212-3) and thus its meaning will be “dim-sighted”. This name, however, is unparalleled. GWSY, 4R,:. One-word name. “One who belongs to GWS”.

Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am3:1, 3, 4 (D46). BLY br GWSY (2x) ŠLMʾ brt GWSY

The name GWSY is connected with the form BRGŠ which is seen in the Aramaic inscription of Zakir as a dynastic title of the king of Arpad. In the Sefire inscriptions, BNY GŠ refer to inhabitants and their territory is called BYT GŠ (see Vattioni 1966, 39-40 for discussion and parallels; Gibson 1975, II, no. 7 i A:16 and p.14; Fitzmyer 1967, 40-1). The proper name GWSY is augmented by Y of the nisbeh form35. GWRDYNWS/GRDYNWS, ‫ܣ‬,LF‫ܪܕ‬,:/‫ܣ‬,LF‫ܕ‬.:, Gordianous. Latin name. 1. Masc., dated 243 CE, P. Dura 28:1 (OSI P1; DP). qsr MRQWS ʾNṬWNYWS GRDYNWS

2. Masc., dated 240 CE, P. Euphr. 18:2 (OSI P2); P. Euphr. 19:1 (OSI P3). qsr MRQWS ʾNṬWNYWS GWRDYNWS GZBR(ʾ), (‫)ܐ‬.)@:. Persian name.

Masc., undated, Desreumaux 2007, 124-5, L. 3. GZBR(ʾ)

The ending Y could be regarded as a hypocoristicon of a theophoric ܰ “refuge, asylum” (Compendious, 65). name formed with the word ‫ܣ‬,: The meaning would be “(Divine name) is a refuge”. 35

58

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC This name is related to the Old Persian word GNZBRʾ with assimilation of the letter N to the following letter Z, i.e. NZ > Z. The variant personal name GZBRY is found in Hat. (Hatra 116:1) (Abbadi 1983, 13,95; Beyer1998, 157; Marcato 2018, 47).

GMYMW, ,ODO:. One-word name. “Abundant” (diminutive). Masc. dated (249 CE), P. Euphr. 6:34; 7:28 lMTʿTʾ brt GMYMW

This name36 is related to the Arab. personal name GM ‫ﺟﻢ‬ (Harding 1972, 168) “copious, great number” from the root GMM “it became much” (Ibn Manẓūr, vol. 12, 104; Lane, 449) and it suggests “the wish that the child shall become the father of a big family”. The name GMM ‫ ﺟﻤﻢ‬is found in Arab. as a diminutive form (Littmann 1943a, 305; Harding 1972, 168; al-Theeb 2003a, 72-3). GNW, ,L:. Hypocoristicon. “(Divine name) has protected”.

Fem., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am4:1 (D47). GNW ʾntt MQYMW

The name GNW37 seems to have been a shortened form of a theophoric name beginning with the word Q: “to lie down ܰ “to cover, protect”, perf. Aphʿel 3rd masc. ܶ ‫ܐ‬ or upon”, or Q: sing. (Compendious, 73), Arab. ‫“ َﺟﱠﻦ‬to cover, hide, protect” (Ibn Manẓūr, Vol. 13, 92; Lane, 462). GNW might be related to the personal name GNʾL, “ʾL has protected” which is attested in Arab. (Littmann 1943a, 305).

ܰ , ‫ܡ‬,: GMYMW may be explained as a Syriac pass. part. of the root [: “to cut off, separate” (Feissel, Gascou and Teixidor 1997, 24). 37 Drijvers and Healey suggested the reading GʿW which seems also possible (cf. OSI, 170-71). 36

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

59

GNYʾ, *DL:. One-word name. “Fresh fruit”.

Masc., undated: probably 2nd/3rd century CE, OSI As7:5 (D52). GNYʾ bry

This name might be connected with the Arab. noun ‫ﻲ‬ ٌ ْ‫َﺟﻨ‬, which is to be derived from ‫“ َﺟﻨَﻰ‬to pluck, gather fruit” (Ibn Manẓūr, vol. 14, 155-6; Lane, 472). GNYʾ occurs also in Palm. as a divine name38. GʿL, g^:. One-word name. “Black beetle”.

1. Fem., undated: probably 201/202 CE, OSI As19:2 (D34). GʿL brt BRʿTʾ

2. Masc., undated: probably late 2nd or early 3rd century CE, OSI Am10:13. GʿL39 br ʾŠDW

This is related to the Arab. name GʿL ‫“ ُﺟَﻌٌﻞ‬black beetle”, or GʿYL ‫( ُﺟَﻌﯿٌْﻞ‬diminutive form) (Ibn Doreid 1854, 238; Nӧldeke 1904b, 88; Ryckmans, 1934, I, 62; Littmann 1943a, 305; Winnett 1957, 152). The personal name GʿL is also found in Palm. (Stark 1971, 14, 82) and in Heb. ‫( געל‬Noth 1980, 230). The name GʿLʾ occurs in a clay tablet from Sefire (Gibson 1975, II, no. 22 obv. 6). GʿL in the Syriac inscriptions is borne by both female and male. GRMW, ,?.:. Hypocoristicon. “(Divine name) had decided”.

1. Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am2:3, 9, 11 (D45).

The name GNYʾ in Syriac could be considered a divine name as in Palm., and used also as a personal name (Ingholt 1955, 182; Stark, 1971, 59). 39 The reading ḤNN is likewise possible (cf. OSI, 185, 188)). 38

60

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC ʾPTWḤʾ br GRMW GRMW

(3,9) (11)

2. Masc., undated, Gioia and Moriggi 2020, Mosaic no. 1, 387-88, 393-94. GRMW

3. Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Cm1:2; Desreumaux 2000, 211-15. GHD/RW br GRMW

4. Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Cm7:1. GRMW

The structural type of this name is that formed from a verb plus ܰ a divine name. The form GRM is to be derived from ‫ܡ‬.:, “to cut off”, but the usual metaphorical use gives the meaning “to decide” (Compendious, 78). The W at the end is a hypocoristic ending. The verb GRM appears in several theophoric names in Arab., Palm., Nab., and Hat. (for discussion see Caquot 1962, 246 and ŠMŠGRM below). The names GRM ‫ َﺟْﺮٌم‬and GRMN ‫( َﺟْﺮَﻣﺎن‬one-word name) and GRMʾL ‫ ﺟﺮﻣﺎل‬are found in Arab. (Ibn Doreid 1854, 314, 318; Ryckmans 1934, I, 63, 222; Littmann 1943a, 305-6; Harding 1971, 159; Winnett 1957, 151), GRMY, GRYMY, GRM in Palm. (Ingholt 1955, 171; Stark 1971, 14, 82; Hutton 2018, 34), GRMW in Nab., (Cantineau 1932, II, 19; alKhraysheh 1986, 56-7; Negev 1991, 19-20), GRMʾLT in Hat. (Hatra 193:3; 288:6; Abbadi 1983, 13, 96-7; Beyer 1998, 157; Marcato 2018, 48-9). The tribe name GRMY ‫ גרמי‬is found in Heb. (1 Chronicles 4:19; Noth 1980, 240). DYNWN, ‫ܢ‬,LF‫ܕ‬. One-word name. “Little judge”.

Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As61:2. hnʾ ṣlmʾ dʾqym DYNWN

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

61

This personal name is a diminutive of the word DYN QFܳ‫ܰܕ‬ “judge” with -WN used as a diminutive ending in class.Syr. (cf. BRWNʾ above). The name DYNWN is related to the personal name DYNY that occurs in the corpus (for discussion and similar forms see under DYNY below). DYNY, 4LF‫ܕ‬. Hypocoristicon. “(Divine name)40 is judge”.

Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI, As49:2 (D7); As52:4 (D10). BRNHR br DYNY šlyṭʾ dʿrb

This name consists of the noun *LܳFܳ‫ܰܕ‬, “judge”, plus the hypocoristic ending Y41. (Cf.the variant form DYNWN above). ‫ دَﯾّﺎن‬appears in Arab. as a personal name and a tribe name (Ibn Doreid 1854, 238; Ryckmans 1934, I, 63, 290). The names DYWN, DYNʾ and DYNY are also attested in Palm.42, DYN, DYNY in Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 82; Negev 1991, 20-1) and DN ‫ דן‬in Heb. (Genesis 30:6 etc.; Noth 1980, 187). DMʾS, ‫ܣ‬hM?‫ܕ‬. Damas. Greek name (Dmōis).

Masc., undated, Balty and Briquel-Chatonnet 2000, 625, Fig. 9. DMʾS

Maybe the divine name is Sīn, since there is an inscription which says “Sīn will be his judge” (see OSI As60:4) 41 DYNY could be regarded as a noun with the 1st sing. suff. i.e. “my judge”. 42 Ingholt offered two possible suggestions for the name DYNY in Palm.: (a) Aramaic pass. Part. of the root ‫ ܳܕܢ‬, “judge by (Divine name). (b) One who belongs to Arab. tribe ‫ دَّﯾﺎن‬with Y of the nisbeh (Ingholt 1955, 171; Stark 1971, 14, 83). 40

62

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

DMWS, ‫ܣ‬,?‫ܕ‬. Damos. Greek name.

Masc., undated: probably early 3rd CE, OSI Cm4:1, 2; Balty and Briquel-Chatonnet 2000, 51-9, Fig. 6, 7. DMWS

This name is a variant form of DMʾS. For discussion of the personal name DMWS see OSI, 212-13. DRDW, ‫ܕܪܕܘ‬. One-word name. “Toothless”.

Masc., undateḍ: probably 3rd century CE, OSI As13:1 (D59). DRDW glpʾ

Masc., undated: probably 3rd century CE, OSI As14:1 (D60). DRDW glwpʾ

DRDW is connected with the Arab. personal name Durayd ‫( دَُرﯾْﺪ‬diminutive form), derived from the root َ‫“ دَِرد‬to become toothless” (Ibn Doreid 1854, 177-8, 268; Ibn Manẓūr, vol. 3, 166; Lane, 870). The personal name (ʾL)DRDW is attested in Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 84; Negev 1991, 21). HYBʾ, *+F‫ܗ‬. Hypocoristicon. “Given by (Divine name)”.

Masc., undated: probably 3rd century CE, Teixidor 1998a, 116, L 5. (l)HYBʾ

This name43 is a shortened form of the name YHYBʾ *+ܳF>ܺFܰ , ̄ Fܰ “to give”, Syriac pass. part. peʿal from the root YHB ‫ܰ>ܒ‬Fܺ, ‫>ܒ‬

Another possibility is that the name HYBʾ is a hypocoristic of a theophoric name. It is either from an Arab. adjective hayyib ‫َھِّﯿﺐ‬, or act. part. hāʾb ‫ َھﺎِﺋﺐ‬from hāb ‫“ )ھﯿﺐ ( ھﺎب‬to revere, venerate, respect” (Ibn Manẓūr vol. 1, 789; Lane, 2908-9). The divine name in this theophoric name is probably ŠMŠ as was suggested for the name HYBŠW meaning “Reverer 43

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

63

with the divine name elided. Both personal names HYBʾ*+ܳF‫ܺܗ‬ and YHYBʾ *+ܳF>ܺFܺ are found in Syriac (The. Syr. 1002, 1567). The name YHYBʾ occurs in Palm. (Stark 1971, 25, 9). The forms YHYBʾ and YHYBY are found in Hatra (Hatra 62:2; 65:4; 242:2; 243:1; 244:1; 278:1). In Arab. the name WHBʾL ‫“ وھﺒﺎل‬God has given” or “gift of God” is attested (Littmann 1943a, 311; al-Theeb 2003b, 43-4; Harahshah 2010, no. 226) and also the name WHBLT ‫( وھﺒﻠﺖ‬al-Theeb 2003a, 41). HPY, 4V‫ܗ‬. Uncertain meaning.

Masc., dated 249 CE, P. Euphr. 6:42; 7:38; 250 CE, P. Euphr.10:30. ʾW]RL[S] HPY ʾr[k]wn š[hd] (P. Euphr. 6:42) ʾWRLS] HPY ʾrkwn šhd ʾWRLS HPY šhd

(P. Euphr. 7:38)

(P. Euphr. 10:30)

HQBʾ, *+b‫ܗ‬. Hekabē, Greek name, or Hécube, Latin name.

Fem., undated, Balty and Briquel-Chatonnet 2000, 625, Fig. 9. HQBʾ

WʾL, ‫ ܘܐܠ‬. One-word name. “One who takes refuge, seeks shelter (i.e. protection of a god)”.

1. Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As45:1 (D3); As46:1 (D4). WʾL br WʾL

2. Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As47:2, 3, 4 (D5). hlyn ṣlmʾ dʿbd WʾL br MWTRW [nwhd]rʾ

(2)

of ŠMŠ” or “the one who reveres ŠMŠ” in Hat.( Hatra 165:1; Marcato 2018, 52; Beyer 1998, 158).

64

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC dʿbd lWʾL šlyṭʾ dʿrb br WʾL wlWʾL brh

(3) (4)

3. Masc., undated: probably 2nd half of 2nd century CE, OSI As20:8 (D35). BRŠWMʾ br WʾL

4. Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am11:4. WʾL

5. Masc., undated, OSI Add 5:3. lWʾL brh

6. Masc., dated during the reign of Waʾel bar Sahru (162/3-65 CE), OSI Co1:1; Co2:1. WʾL mlkʾ

The Arab. personal name WʾL ‫( وأل‬Ibn Doreid 1854, 79; Ryckmans 1934, II, 75, 224; Littmann 1943a, 310; Caskel 1966, 585; Harding 1971, 632; Winnett 1957, 204), is an act. part. derived from the root ‫َوأل‬, “to take refuge”. Well-known in Arab., it seems to have been a common name among the Edessan people before the Roman reconquest in 165 CE (Segal 1953, 104). One of the kings of Edessa was known by this name (Segal, 1970, 23, 30 n. 4, 57-59). The personal name WʾL is also attested in Nab. (Cantineau 1934, II, 88; Negev 1991, 23; al-Khraysheh 1986, 64-5). The variant name WʾLT is found in Arab. (Harahshah 2010, no. 225) and Nab. (Negev 1991, 23; al-Khraysheh 1986, 65). The form WYLT occurs in Hat. (Hatra 52:2; Abbadi 1983, 15, 101-2; Beyer 1998, 158; Marcato 2018, 53-4). WṬYWS, ‫ܣ‬,DH‫ܘ‬. Vettius. Latin name.

Masc. dated 242 CE, P. Euphr. 19:2 (OSI P3). bhpṭyʾ dWṬYWS ʾṬYQWS

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

65

WLGŠ, P-=‫ܘ‬. Persian or Parthian name.

Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE. OSI Bs1:1 (D63:I) WLGŠ br SNQ

This name has been explained as Vologases. A king and a nobleman are known by this name in Hat. (Hatra 33:2; 140:3; 193:1; 285:1 etc.; Beyer 1998, 158; Abbadi 15, 102; Marcato 2018, 54). WRDW, ‫ܘܪܕܘ‬. One-word name. “Rose”.

Masc., not clearly dated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As42:3 (D67). ..]ṢL br WRDW

The personal name WRD ٌ‫ َوْرد‬in Arab. has two meanings, “rose” (plur. of fem. ٌ‫ َوْردَة‬, class. Syr. K‫ ) ܰܘܪܳܕ‬and “tawny” (Ibn Manẓūr, vol. 3, 456; Ryckmans 1934, I, 81; littmann 1943a 312; Caskel 1966, 587; Cook 1898, 46). The name is known among the pre-Islamic Arabs (e.g. ‫)ِﻋْﺮَوة ﺑﻦ اﻟَﻮْرد‬. The personal name WRDW is also found in Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 90; al-Khraysheh 1986, 70; Negev 1991, 25). The form WRD with meaning “tawny” is applied to horses and lions (Ibn Manẓūr, vol. 3, 456; Ibn Doreid 1854, 170). Drijvers 1973, 9 and Stark 1971, 85 (see under WRDN and WRWD) state that the Palm. personal name WRDN is from Persia. However, Arab. lexicographers did not regard this word as of Persian origin (Ibn Manẓūr, vol. 3, 456; Ibn Doreid 1854, 170) and there is no reason to connect it with Persian. On the hand, the name WRWD which appears in Palm. also and Hat. (Hatra e.g. 60:1; 102; 123; 144:2; Abbadi 1983, 16-7, 103; Beyer 1998, 158; Marcato 2018, 55) is not paralleled in Arab. and unlike WRD/W it is probably of Persian origin. In Hat., it is the name of Parthian rulers (Safar 1955, 5, n. 9).

66

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

WRWD, ‫ܘܪܘܕ‬. Persian name.

1. Masc., dated 240 CE, P. Euphr. 18:iv, 9, 20, 22, 24, 27 (OSI P2). lWRWD br NŠRYHB

(iv, 9, 27)

qblt mnh dWRWD

(22)

mwdnʾ lh lWRWD bgdh dWRWD

(20) (24)

2. Masc., dated 242 CE, P. Euphr. 19:i, 6, 22, v1, v6 (OSI P3). WRWD br NŠRYHB

The name WRWD which appears in Palm. (Stark 1971, 16, 85) and Hat. (Hatra e.g. 60:1; 102:1; 123:1; 144:2 etc.; Abbadi 1983, 16-17, 103; Marcato 2018, 55) is not paralleled in Arab. (see WRDW above). ZBDʿTʾ, 760/)‫ܙ‬. Genitive compound. “Gift of ʿTʾ”.

Masc., dated 226 CE, Abadie-Reynal et al. 1999, 363, 9:5, Fig. 41. ZBDʿTʾ br BRSMYʾ

This name is composed of the Arab. noun ZBD ٌ‫“ َزﺑْﺪ‬gift” (Ibn Manẓūr, Vol. 3, 193; Lane, 1209), with the theophric name ʿTʾ. The names ZBDʿTʾ and ZBDʿTH occur in Palm. (Stark 1971, 18, 86). A hypocoristic of the theophoric name ZBDY is found in Palm., Hat., Nab., and Arab. For parallels and discussion see: Stark 1971, 18, 85-86; Abbadi 1983, 17, 1034; Beyer 1998, 158; Marcato 2018, 56; Negev 1991, 25; Littmann 1943a, 312). The name ‫ܝ‬/ܰ)‫ܰܙ‬, Zebedee is attested in the New Testament (Matthew 4:21; Mark 1:19). The personal names ZBD ‫ובד‬, ZBDYʾL ‫ זבדיאל‬and ZBDY ‫ זבדי‬appear in the Old Testament (1 Chronicles 2:36, 37; 27:2; Joshua 7:1).

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

67

ZYDLT, 6=/F‫ܙ‬. Genitive compound. “Increase of ʾLT”.

Masc., dated 218 CE or 228 (or, less likely, 238), OSI Am8:2, 6, 9, 10, 13, 15, 17,19, 21 (D51). ZYDLT br BRBʿŠMN

(2)

Qmy brt ZYDLT

(9)

ʾWY ʾntt ZYDLT

ZYDLT br BRBʿ[Š]MYN BRŠLMʾ br ZYDLT MʿMY br ZYDLT

[....] brt [Z]YDLT

MʿYNW br ZYDLT

BRBʿŠMN br ZYDLT

(6) (10) (13) (15) (17) (19) (21)

This personal name is made up of the noun ZYD plus the divine name ʾLT. The elision of the letter ʾ is to be noted, i.e. ZYDʾLT > ZYDLT (Jenni 1965, 377; al-Jadir 1983, 245). The first element ZYD is to be related to Arab. ٌ‫َزﯾْﺪ‬, derived from َ‫َزاد‬ “to increase” (Ibn Manẓür, vol. 3, 198-200). ٌ‫ َزﯾْﺪ‬is a common name among the Arabs. The personal names ZYDLT and ZDLT, ‫زﯾﺪﻟﺖ‬، ‫ زدﻟﺖ‬are also attested in Arab. (Ibn Doreid 1854, 13; Ryckmans 1934, I, 84, 227; Littmann 1943a, 312; Harding 1971, 304; Winnett 1957, 165) while the name ZYDʾLT occurs also in Hat. (Hatra 195:3; Abbadi 1983, 18, 105; Marcato 2018, 59) and ZYDW and ZYDʾLHY in Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 91-2; Negev 1991, 26; al-Khraysheh 1986, 73-4). ZKY44, 4I‫ܙ‬. One-word name. “Pure/victorious”.

Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As26:2 (D13). dkyr ZKY

Segal’s reading ZBY is also possible (for discussion and parallels of the personal name ZBY see al-Jadir 1983, 372). 44

68

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC The name ZKY is derived from the root *Iܳ‫“ ܙ‬to be pure, conquer” (Compendious, 115). This name is connected with the Arab. name ZKY ‫( زﻛﻲ‬Ryckmans 1932, I, 69; Harding 1971, 300) from the root ‫ َزَﻛﺎ‬/ ‫“ ذََﻛﺎ‬to be pure” (Ibn Manẓūr, vol.14, 288, 358). ZKY is a well-known name among Arabs nowadays. The personal name ZKYʾ is found in Palm. and Hat., ZKYW in Nab. and ZKKY, ‫ זכי‬in Heb. (Stark 1971,19, 86; Marcato 2018, 59-60; Negev 1991, 26; Cantineau 1931, II, 92; Ezra 2:9). The adjective ZKYʾ “victorious” appeared in Hat. as a royal epithet of Hatran king Sanatruq (DNWSI, 321; Beyer 1998, 174). The name 4Iܰ‫ ܰܙ‬Zacchaeus, a rich publican at Jericho, is found in the New Testament (Luke 19:2). This name remained popular in Syriac tradition.

ZKYʾ45, *DI‫ܙ‬. See under ZKY.

Masc., undated: probably from 3rd century CE, Teixidor 1998a, 116, L. 9. ŠQY br ZKYʾ

ZNDWRʾ, K‫ܘܪ‬/2‫ܙ‬. Zenodora, Greek name (Zēnodōra). Fem., dated, 259 CE, OSI Am1:11 (D44). ZNDWRʾ ʾntt BRʿTʾ

The name ZNDWRʾ46 is found as a masculine name in Greek, ξԑνοδωροϛ. A bishop of Gaza named ZNDWRWS, ‫ܘܪܘܣ‬/2‫ܙ‬, is known (Margoliouth 1927, 113), while Drijvers and Healey prefer the reading ZʿRWRʾ from the root ZʿR “be(come) small” (for other readings and discussion see OSI, 160-62).

The reading ZKYʾ seems more acceptable than ZKNʾ as against Teixidor 1998a, 116, L. 9. 46 Yon’s reading is ZʿWRʾ (see Yon 2018, 199). 45

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

69

ZʿWRTʾ, 7‫ܪܬ‬,0‫ܙ‬. One-word name. “Small”.

Fem., dated 243 CE, Gülar 2014, 71. wlZʿWRTʾ ʾntty

This name is a feminine adjective (7‫ܪܳܬ‬,0ܽ‫)ܙ‬47 with the emphatic suffix ʾ from the root ZʿR .0ܰ‫“ ܙ‬to become small or few” (Compendious, 118-9). The name ZʿWRTʾ has no parallels, though the suggested reading ZʿRWRʾ Am1:11 (probably a qatlūl adjective form from the root ZʿR. Cf. ḤMṬWṬʾ below) could be related (OSI 160-62). ZRBYN, QD)‫ܙܪ‬. Persian name.

Masc., dated 6 E, OSI As55:2 (D1) ZRBYN br ʾB[GR]

ZRBYN is known as a Persian name (Kugener 1907, 589; Maricq 1962b, 97). ḤD/RY..., … ‫ ܪܝ‬/ /X. Incomplete name.

Fem., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am5:1 (D48). ḤD/RY.... ʾm[h] ʾnt[t] GBY

The name is incomplete and the reading is uncertain. It may, however, be explained through the Arab. personal name ḤDDT ‫“ ﺣﺪدت‬sharp(-sighted)”, which is derived from ّ‫( َﺣﺪ‬Ryckmans 1934, I, 88). Segal suggested the restoration ḤRY [Tʾ] which would, perhaps, be related to the Arab. personal name ٌ ‫“ َﺣﺎِر‬ploughman” (Segal 1959, 27; Ryckmans 1934, I, Ḥariṯ ‫ث‬ 99). ḤRY may also be connected with the divine name ḤRTʾ used also as a personal name (Stark 1971, 90). Two other inscriptions have the personal name ZʿWRʾ, a masculine equivalent of ZʿWRTʾ. One is published recently (Çetin, et al. 2020, 123, 125). The other was published by Desreumaux and Ӧnal 2017, 138-9 (dated 7th century). 47

70

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

ḤWYʾ, *F,X. Hypocoristicon. “(Divine name) showed”.

Masc., undated, Gioia and Moriggi 2020, Mosaic no. 2, 388-89, 396-97. ḤWYʾ

This name does not occur elsewhere in the Syriac inscriptions corpus, but it is recorded as the name of the father of the first king of Edessa ʾrhy br ḥwyʾ (139/8-134/3 BCE) (Luther 1999, 446-47). See Syriac *F,X .) ‫ ܐܪܗܝ‬in the Chronicle of Zuqnīn (Harrak 2017, 98-9). The most likely explanation of the name ḤWYʾ is a hypocoristic of a theophoric, with the divine name elided, derived from ‫ܝ‬,ܺXܰ (paʿel conjugation of 7,X “to show, declare”) (Compendious, 129). Thus the meaning would be “(Divine name) showed”. The possibly related name ḤWYŠʾ “ŠMŠ showed” is found in Hat. (Hatra 168:1; 174:1; Abbadi 1983, 19, 108; Marcato 2018, 62). ḤWND/R, ‫ ܪ‬//2,X. Uncertain type and meaning.

Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As34:3 (D21). ʾKYR br ḤWND/R

ḤLWYʾ, *F,GX. One-word name. “Sweetness”. Fem., dated 6 CE, OSI As55:4 (D1). ḤLWYʾ mrt byty

ܺ ḤLWYʾ is a derivative of the root 4GX, Arab. ‫ َﺣِﻠﻲ‬,‫“ َﺣَﻼ‬to be 48 sweet”, with the ending ʾ . ḤLWYʾ would probably be Arab., as the same form is found as a woman’s name in central Arabia (Degen 1974, 105-6). Other forms ḤLW ‫ُﺣﻠﻮ‬, ḤLWN ‫ﺣﻠﻮن‬, ḤLWT ‫ ُﺣْﻠَﻮة‬are also attested in Arab. (Ryckmans 1934, I, 92; Maricq 1962b, 99; Harding 1971, 199; Winnett 1957, 155). The sign ʾ indicating the ending of the feminine singular in Arab. is often found in personal names transcribed into Syriac (cf. Degen 1974, 106, n.6). 48

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

71

The names ḤLYʾ and ḤLYW occur in Palm. (Stark 1971, 22, 88). The form ḤLW is attested in Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 96; Negev 1991, 29). ḤLWPʾ, *V,GX. One-word name. “Successors”.

Masc., undated: probably around 180 CE, M. Önal and A. Desremaux 2019, 246, L.2. wḤLWPʾ br ʾNY

The name ḤLWPʾ is connected with the Arab. name ‫ُﺧﻠﻮف‬ “successors” plural form of ‫ﻒ‬ ٌ ‫َﺧَﻠ‬. The personal name ‫َﺧَﻠﻒ‬ (Littmann 1943a, 317; Harahshah, 2010, nos. 169, 364) is derived from the root ‫“ َﺧَﻠﻒ‬to succeed”. The variant names ḤLYPʾ, ḤLYPY, ḤLPʾ, ḤLPW, ḤLPWNʾ and ḤLPTʾ are attested in Palm., ḤLYPW, ḤLP, ḤLPW, ḤLPY in Nab. (Stark 1971, 22-3,88-9; Cook 1898, 53; al-Khraysheh 1986, 84-3; Negev 1991, 29-30). ḤLḤʾ, *3GX. Hypocoristicon. “ḤL has seen”.

Masc., dated before 188 CE, OSI As41:3 (D66). ḤLḤʾ br [.....

The personal name ḤLḤʾ is formed from ḤL, the name of the Kassite deity Ḫa-lu49 appearing in names from Mari and Nuzi (Huffmon 1965, 194; Drijvers 1973, 9) plus shortened form of the verb ḤZʾ 7@ܳX “to see”50. A similar formation is found In Akkadian ḫālu(m) “maternal uncle” is sometimes connected with protective deity in personal names (Black et al. 1999, 103). 50 Another interpretation of the name ḤLḤʾ is also possible: ḤLḤʾ may be constituted from ḫāL ‫“ ﺧﺎل‬maternal uncle” or ḫalīl ‫“ ﺧﻠﯿﻞ‬friend” in Arab. and the element ʾḤʾ “brother” with the elision of the letter ʾ, i.e. ḤLʾḤʾ > ḤLḤʾ “uncle is brother” or “friend is brother”. The meaning would refer to likeness of the brother to the uncle or to the friend. ḤL could be a divine epithet. As a one-word name ḫāL ‫ َﺧﺎل‬or ḫalīl ‫ ﺧﻠﯿﻞ‬is found in Arab. (Ryckmans, 1934, I, 102; Littmann 1943a, 317; Winnett 1957, 153), ḤLʾ in Palm. (Cook 49

72

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC in Palmyrene names (see Stark 1971, 76 under BLḤʾ). The name ḤLḤʾ is not otherwise attested in Syriac.

ḤMṬWṬʾ, *‫ـ‬H,UOX. One-word name. “Quick-tempered”

Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As40:3 (D65). ʿLBL br ḤMṬWṬʾ

This name is derived from the Assyrian root ḫamāṭu “to be quick, hasten” (CAD Ḫ, 62-65; Black et al. 1999, 103-4). ḤMṬWṬʾ is a qatlūl form, a diminutive or pejorative adjective form (Moscati 1969, § 12.12. See also under ZʿRWRTʾ above). In Aramaic the personal name ḤMṬWṬʾ (Cook 1898, 54)51 is found as an equivalent to the Assyrian name Ḫa-maṭu-ṭu (Tallqvist 1914, 84). ḤPSY, 48lX. One-word name. “My small house, tent”.

1. Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As48:1 (D6); As49:4 (D7); As50:4 (D8); As53:1 (D11). ḤPSY br BRKLBʾ

2. Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As33:3 (D20). dkyr BRŠM[Š] w ḤPSY brh

3. Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am5:5 (D48). ḤPSY br ʾDWNʾ

1898, 53; Stark 1971, 22, 8). In Negev 1991, 29 the name in Nab. is ḤLW and his treatment of it is described as a “mess” by Macdonald 1999, 277. However, the female noun ḥlt ‫“ ﺧﺎﻟﺔ‬maternal aunt” is found in Nab. and it is regarded as borrowed from Arab. (Healey 1993, 145). 51 For further discussion and references see Drijvers 1973, 4.

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

73

4. Masc., dated 243 CE, P. Dura 28:6, 20, v2, (OSI P1; DP). ʾBGR br ḤPSY

ʾWRLS ḤPSY br ŠMŠYHB

(6)

(20, v2)

The name ḤPSY is related to the Arab. personal name ḤPŠ ‫ﺶ‬ ٌ ْ‫“ ِﺣﻔ‬small house, tent” (Ibn Manẓūr, vol. 6, 287; Harding 1971, 195) with 1st sing. suff.52 In Hat. the variant names ḤPʾZW, ḤPʾZY and ḤPYZY meaning “ʿUzzā rejoice” might be connected with the name ḤPSY53 (Marcato 2018, 67; Abbadi 1983, 21, 112). The name 48lX was in wide use at Edessa (Thes. Syr. 1347; Cureton 1967, >?: 16, /R: 5) and the first Roman governor of Edessa in 248 CE was known by this name (Pognon 1907, 30; Segal 1954, 23). ḤŠʾ, *NX. See under ḤŠY.

Masc., dated CE 240, P. Euphr. 18:25, v2 (OSI P2). ḤŠʾ br MTY

ḤŠY, 4NX. One-word name. “Digging for water”.

Masc., dated (6 CE), OSI As55:8 (D1). ḤŠY glpʾ

This name is connected with the personal name ḤSY ‫ﺣﺴﻲ‬ which is seen in Arab.54 (Harding 1971, 189. Ryckmans The Y may indicate a hypocoristic ending of a theophoric name beginning with ḤPŠ, i.e. “(Divine name) is (my) little house”. 53 It may be suggested that the name ḤPSY is compound of the Arab. verb ‫“ ﺣﻔﺎ‬the one who manifested joy or pleasure” (Ibn Manẓūr vol. 14, 188; Lane, 604) plus a shortened form of the divine name Sīn, thus the meaning will be “Sīn rejoiced” similar to the Hatran name ḤPʾZY (cf. Marcato 2018, 66-7). 54 There are other possible interpretations for the name ḤŠY: (a) It could be related to the Arab. name ḤŠ ‫“ ﺣﺶ‬collection of palm trees” with the ending Y (cf. Littmann 1943a, 316; Ryckmans 1934, II, 99-100). (b) ḤŠY 52

74

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC 1934, II, 96 gave the meaning “know, recognize”) and derives from the word ‫ﺴﺎ‬ َ ‫“ َﺣ‬to dig for water” (Ibn Manẓūr vol. 14, 176-7; Lane 572). The name ḤŠY is also attested in Palm. though Stark gives a different meaning for the root from the Arab. “breathe short, be asthmatic” which is also possible (Stark 1971, 23, 90).

ḤTʾ, 76X. One-word name. “Sister”.

Fem., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am11:7. ḤTʾ brt RWMʾ

This name indicates the use of a kinship term as a personal name. ḤTʾ has no parallels in Palm. Nab. and Hat., but on the other hand, it is usual to find kinship terms used as personal names in Semitic languages, such as ʾBʾ “father”, ʾḤʾ (the status absolutus of ʾḤTʾ), ʾMʾ “mother” in Palm. (Stark 1971, 63, 66, 68) ʾBʾ “father” in Hat. (Hatra e.g. 5:3, 4; 109:1; 140:4; Abbadi 1983, 1-2, 72-73; Beyer 1998, 153; Marcato 2018, 21) and ḤWNʾ “little brother”, diminutive form of ʾḤʾ in the Aramaic inscriptions of Assur (Aggoula 1985, 3, II:4; 17 I:3; 19:2; 26:2; 29b:2). This name may be also a hypocoristic form of a genitive compound with the element ḤTʾ (OSI, 190). ṬRWʾLWS, ‫ܣ‬,=‫ܘܐ‬.H. Troǐlos. Greek name.

Masc., undated, Balty and Briquel-Chatonnet 2000, 659, Fig. 10. ṬRWʾLWS

may be a hypocoristic form of the Hebrew name ḤŠBYHW ‫חשביהו‬ “Yah(u) has taken account” (1 Chronicles 25:3; Noth, 1980, 189).

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

75

ṬRYBWNYWS, ‫ܣ‬,D2,+F.H. Cervonius. Latin Name.

Masc., dated 243 CE, P. Dura 28:2 (OSI P1; DP). ṬRYBWNYWS PPWS

YWḤNN, QLX,F. Nominal sentence. “YW is gracious”.

Masc., undated: probably 3rd century CE, OSI As10:2, 5 (D55 I-II). YWḤNN ʾyg br TʾPWLQṬʾ YWḤNN ryš gwdʾ

This name is constituted of the divine name YW, which may be related to the Heb. name of the deity, YHWH, ‫( יהוה‬e.g. Exodus 3:15; Deuteronomy 5:6; see also BDB, 217-9), plus the adjective ḤNN, a derivative of the root ḤNN, “to be gracious” (common Semitic). The name QLܳXܰ,F݀ܽ “Johanan, John” appears in the New Testament (Luke 3:27) and also in the Doctrine of Addai (Phillips 1876, ,?: 11), and the name ‫יו חנן‬, ‫יהוחנן‬, in the Old Testament (Nehemiah 12:13; Ezra 10:6; Noth 1980, 62, 187). The personal name ‫ יו חנן‬occurs in the Talmud (Jastrow 1950, 568). The personal name ‫ ﯾﻮﺣﻨّﺎ‬is well known among Arab Christians in Iraq. The element ḤNN is likewise found compounded with the divine name ʾL in Arab.: ḤNNʾL “ʾL is gracious” (Ryckmans 1934, 229; Littmann 1943a, 315). In Palm. the personal name ḤNBL is known (Stark 1971, 23, 89). ḤNN as a one-word name occurs in the Doctrine of Addai (Phillips 1876, ‫ܐ‬: 12; ‫ܒ‬: 8) as well as in Arab. (Ryckmans 1934, I, 95; Littmann 1943a, 315) and Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 98; Negev 1991, 30-1). The names ḤNYNʾ, ḤNNʾand ḤNNY are attested in Hatra (Abaddi 1983, 20, 110-11; Beyer 1998, 159; Marcato 2018, 65-6). The form ḤNʾ occurs in the Aramaic inscriptions from Assur (Aggoula 1985, 17 (I); 25h; 26:2; 28a:2; 28b:4; 29k:2).

76

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

KWZʾ, 7‫ܙ‬,I. One-word name. “A narrow-necked vessel”.

1. Masc., undated: Probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As26:1 (D13). br KWZʾ

2. Masc., undated: probably 2nd/3rd century CE, OSI As6:4 (D42). ʿBDLT br KWZʾ

The name KWZʾ is to be explained from 7‫ܰܙ‬,Iܽ, “a narrownecked vessel” (Compendious, 207), and is connected with the Arab. personal name ‫“ ُﻛﻮز‬vessel” (Ibn Doreid 1854,120). The name KWZʾ occurs in Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 106; alKhraysheh 1986, 99; Negev 1991, 35) and also in the New Testament: Xουζᾶς 7‫ܰܙ‬,Iܽ (Luke 8:3; Bauer 1957, 892; Jennings 1962, 100). The suggestion of Littmann 1913, 381 that the name originates from Persian is unlikely (Ibn Manẓūr vol. 5, 402-3; Lane, 2638). KWKB, ]I,I. One-word name. “Star”.

Masc., undated: probably 3rd century CE, OSI As5:4 (D39) ŠLMN b[r] KWKB

The name KWKB ‫ ﻛﻮﻛﺐ‬is found in Arab. (Ryckmans 1934, I,133; Harding 1971, 507). The variant form KWKBY ‫ ًﻛﻮَﻛﺒﻲ‬might originally have denoted a man of the tribe of KWKB in Arab. (Littmann 1943a, 320). A personal name Ka-ab-ka-ba is also found in Mari texts (Huffmon 1965, 220). In early Syriac literature the title Kawkab refers to the planet of Venus (cf. OSI, 55). KWMY, 4?,I. Uncertain.

Fem., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, Brock 2006-7, 715-17, Figs 1-3. KWMY

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

77

This is probably connected with the masc. Arab. name ‫ﻲ‬ ّ ‫“ َﻛﻤ‬a courageous armed man” derived from ‫“ ﻛﻤﻰ‬to cover” (Ibn Manẓūr vol. 15, 231-32; Harding 1971, 505). The name KWMY is found also in Palm. but its meaning is uncertain (Stark 1971, 28, 92), though Negev 1991, 35 suggests a connection with the meaning “warrior” in relation to Nab. KLBʾ, *+GI. “Dog”. See under BRKLBʾ.

Masc., dated 243 CE, P. Dura 28:24 (OSI P1; DP). MRQWS ʾWRLS br KLBʾ šhd

LWQS55, Cb,=. Lucius (or Lucas). Latin name.

Masc., dated 243 CE, P. Dura 28:8 (OSI P1; DP). LWQS ʾWRLS TYRW

LṬYBSYN, QD8+DU=. Uncertain.

Masc., dated 249 CE, P. Euphr. 6:38; 7:32. ʾWRLS LṬYBSYN br MRʾBYLHʾ

This name probably consists of the emphatic L (‫)ﻻم اﻻﺑﺘﺪاء‬ with the word ṬYB “good,” (common Semitic) plus the theophoric name SYN. The suggested meaning is “indeed good is SYN”. It is possible also that the name LṬYBSYN is a verbal sentence relating to the personal name LWṬB in Hat. (Hatra 175:1; Abbadi 1983, 119; Beyer 1998, 160; Marcato 2018, 74), which is regarded as imperf. 3rd masc. sing of the Aram. verb ṬYB “to be content, to be satisfied” (DNWSI, 421) and the divine name SYN. Thus the meaning would then be “may SYN be content”. In Heb., the personal name ‫ טוביהו‬and ‫טוב‬ ‫ אדוניה‬are attested (2 Chronicles 17:8). In this context, personal names are found in Assyrian sources, e.g. Tāb-Bēl “(the breath of) Bēl is good” (Harrak 1992, 321). 55

See Yon 2018, 204.

78

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

LLʾ, *MG=. Uncertain.

Masc., dated 249 CE, P. Euphr. 6:37; 7:31. ʾWRLS LLʾ br BLSYN

ܶ ܶ This name may be connected to LLL gG=ܰ paʿel from *Gܳ= “to make or pronounce stupid or foolish” (Compendious, 242). The form LLʾ may be a Greek origin λᾶλος “babillard, babbling” (Feissel, Gascou and Teixidor 1997, 25). LSQʾ, *J8=. Uncertain.

Fem., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, Brock 2006-2007, 715-17, Figs 1-3. LSQʾ [ʾn]tth

Brock 2006-2007, 715 regarded the word LSQʾ is either a one-word name or the first letter of the word is the preposition L “for” followed by the personal name SQʾ (for discussion see under ŠQY). However, neither of the two names are attested elsewhere. LPYDWS, ‫ܘܣ‬/Dl=. Lapidus. Latin name.

Masc., dated 242 CE, P. Euphr. 19:2 (OSI P3). LPYDWS PRṬKSṬṬWS

LŠMŠ, PON=. Prepositional phrase. “Belonging to ŠMŠ”.

Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As60:1. ṣlmʾ dLŠMŠ br ŠMŠYHB

This name is not known yet in other Syriac inscriptions. It is made up of the preposition L and the divine name ŠMŠ. This kind of grammatical structure is found in Palm. with the name LŠMŠ, which is very common in Palmyrene onomastics, LMLKʾ and LRMN (Cook 1898, 68-9; Stark 1971 29-30,

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

79

93). In Hat. the same structure type appears with the names LHDD, LWṬB and LŠGLʾ (Abbadi 1983, 24-5, 119-20; Beyer 1998, 160; Marcato 2018, 74-5). The name LŠMS occurs in Arab. (Littmann 1943a, 322; Harahshah 2010, no. 244). In South Arabic, personal names with preposition L are also attested (Ryckmans 1934, I, 264). MG[…]ʾ, ‫ ]…[ܐ‬a?. Incomplete name.

Fem., undated: probably 3rd century CE, OSI Am3:13 (D46). MG […]ʾ

The letters MG ….. may be a compound name beginning with the element MGD (cf. MGDL below). MGDL, ‫ܠ‬/-?. Hypocoristicon. “Glory of ʾL(T)”.

1. Fem., undated: probably 2nd/3rd century CE, OSI As21:1 (D36). MGDL brt ʿBDLT

2. Masc., undated: probably 3rd century CE, Teixidor 1998a, p. 116:L 2. lMGDL mn ḥwzʾ

3. Fem., undated, Desreumaux and Ӧnal 2017, 132-4. MGDL ʾntt ʾPTWḤʾ

The name is formed from the noun MGD plus the short form of the deity name ʾLT. The first element MGD ٌ‫ َﻣْﺠﺪ‬or ٌ‫“َﻣﺎِﺟﺪ‬glory” is derived from the root َ‫“ َﻣَﺠﺪ‬be glorious, excel in glory” and found in Arab. as a one-word name (Ibn Doreid 1854, 293, 296; Ryckmans 1934, I, 123; Littmann 1943a, 323; Winnett 1957, 193; Harding 1971, 528-9; Harahshah 2010, nos. 54, 217, 286), while the theophoric name ‫ﻣﺠﺪﻟﺖ‬occurs also in Arab. (Ryckmans 1934, I, 234). The name MGDL appears in Greek as a man’s name Mαγδαλοϛ (Nöldeke 1908, 155, n. 1.).

80

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC The personal names MGDʾ and MGDW are attested in Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 111; al-Khraysheh 1986, 104; Negev 1991, 37). MGDT in Palm. is a tribal name (Cooke 1903, 299; Cook 1898,70; Stark 1971, 57). In Heb. The name MGDYʾL56 ‫ מגדיאל‬appears as a chief of Edom (Genesis 36:43).

MWHB, ‫ܗܒ‬,?. Hypocoristicon. “A gift of (Divine name)”.

Masc., undated: probably 3rd century CE, Teixidor 1998a, 116 L. 7. lMWHB ngrʾ

The name is a hypocoristic with the divine name elided, related to the Arab. noun MWHB ‫“ َﻣﻮِھﺐ‬a gift or act of giving” derived from WHB ‫ﺐ‬ َ َ‫“ َوھ‬to give” (Lane, 2969). In Syriac the feminine form MWHBTʾ76ܳ)‫ܰܗ‬,?ܰ “a gift, present, favour” from ‫>ܒ‬ ̱ Fܰ “to give” is found (Compendious, 256). The variant personal names WHBʾ, WHBY, WHBLT are attested in Palm. (Stark 1971, 15, 85), WHBY, WHYBʾ in Hat. (Marcato 2018, 53), WHB, WHBW, WHBʾL, WHBLT in Nab. (Negev 1991, 24), WHB, WHBʾL in Arab. (Littmann 1943a, 311; Harahshah 2010, nos. 225, 226, 229, 352). MWTRW, ‫ܬܪܘ‬,?. Hypocoristicon. “The one who causes to remain”.

Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As47:2 (D5). WʾL br MWTRW

This name is an act. part. Aphʿel, from the verb ‫ܪ‬6ܰFܺ “to be left over”, with the hypocoristic ending W. A personal name from the same root YTR,‫ יתר‬, “abundance” is found in Heb. (Judges 8:20; Exodus 4:18; Noth 1980, 193). The Arab.

The name MGDʾL may be connected with the noun ‫ܠ‬/ܰ-?ܰ “tower” as a one-word name, or possibly a short form of the theophoric name MGDLʾL ‫אל‬-‫“ מגדל‬tower of God” (Joshua 19:38). 56

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

81

personal name MWTRM ‫( ﻣﻮﺗﺮم‬Nöldeke 1908, 154; Harding 1971, 563, 633) could be related to MWTRW. .....MYʾ, *D?….. Incomplete name.

Fem., undated: probably 2nd/3rd century CE, OSI As4:1 (D30). .....MYʾ brt ..... ʾNʾ ḥth dBRŠMŠ

As some letters are missing no certain interpretation can be offered, though Sachau suggested that ..... MYʾ may perhaps be the end of the Greek name Eυφηµία (Euphemia) (Sachau 1882, 163). MKYL, gD9?. Hypocoristicon. “prostrate to YLL”.

Masc., undated: probably 2nd half of 3rd century CE, OSI As58:3 (D62). qbr[ʾ] dMKYL br BRHM

The preferable explanation for the name MKYL is that it is formed from the verb MK n?ܰ “to be prostrate”, plus the divine name YLL which is found in Arab. as a personal name (Littmann 1943a, 319; Ryckmans 1934, I, 111). Other explanations are conceivable: (a) MKYL may perhaps be a hypocoristic form of an interrogative sentence mn-k-YLL “who is like YLL?” with assimilation of n to k (see Caquot 1962, 2512, and Stark 1971, 94 under MKBL). (b) It is also possible (but difficult) to relate MKYL to the name Michael ‫ מיכאל‬in ܶ 9ܳD?ܺ in Syr. “who is like God?” (Numbers Heb.57 and gFh 13:13; Noth 1980, 32, 144). For discussion of the name and origin of Michael see Michalak 2012, 99 and following. The same formula, i.e. MK plus divine name, is attested in Hat. with the personal name MKMRTN “one who prostrates The female name ‫ מיכל‬MYKL – Michal, a name of biblical origins (BDB, 568) is known in Jewish tradition (Ilan, vol. I, 242). 57

82

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC to MRTN” (Hatra 157:1, 173:1. See also Safar 1962, 47, n. 43), or it may also be interpreted as an interrogative nominal sentence “who is like MRTN?” (Abbadi 1983, 122; Marcato 2018, 77). A further parallel, MKBL, occurs in Palm. (Ingholt 1955, 175; Stark 1971, 31, 94).

MLʾ, *MG?. One-word name. “full, satisfied”.

Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As52:2 (D10). MLʾ [b]r ŠYLʾ

This form is derived from the common Semitic MLʾ, “to fill, satisfy” and is connected with the Arab. personal name MLʾ ‫“ ِﻣْﻞء‬full” (Harding 1971,562). The personal name MLʾ is also found in Palm.58 The variant name YMLʾ ‫ ימלה‬,‫ימלא‬, occurs in Heb. (1 Kings 22:8, 9; 2 Chronicles 18:7, 8; Noth 1980, 28). MLY59, 4G?. One-word name. “Long”.

Masc. undated: probably 2nd half of 2nd century CE, As56:2 (D26). ʿBDBY br MLY

This is related to the Arab. personal name ‫ﻲ‬ ّ ‫ َﻣﻠ‬meaning “long”, from the root ‫( َﻣﻼ‬Ibn Manẓūr, vol. 15, 290-92; Beyer 1996, 43; Harding 1971, 566). This name occurs in Palm. where it is regarded as a shortened form of MLKW (Stark 1971, 32, 95. Cf. MLʾ, n. 58). The name MLY is also attested In Palm. (and therefore also Edessa), the name MLʾ could be interpreted as a hypocoristic form of the personal name MLKW (for discussion and parallels see Ingholt 1955, 175; Stark 1971, 95). 59 This name is not listed in al-Jadir 1983, 133, as the reading of Drijvers 1972, 19, (D26:2) was followed: dʿbd ʿBDY bYRM ly. Beyer’s reading dʿbd ʿBDBY br MLY seems more convincing (Beyer 1996, 43; see also OSI As56:2, 145-7). 58

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

83

in Nab. (Cantineau, II, 1932, 114; Negev 1991, 39; Healey 1993, 215; al-Khraysheh 1986, 107). MLKDN, ‫ܢ‬/9G?. Verbal sentence with perfect. “The divine (king) has judged”. Masc. undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Cm 14:1. MLKDN br BRʿTʾ

The name MLKDN is compound of the theophoric name MLK (see also under [ʿ]BDMLK for discussion and parallels) and the verb DN ‫ ܳܕܢ‬, perf. peʿal 3rd masc. sing. from the root DWN ‫“ ܕܘܢ‬to judge”, which is common Semitic. This name is not found elsewhere in Syriac. Personal names composed with the noun MLK (king) are often used in Palm.e.g. MLKʾ and MLKBL. Hypocoristic forms MLʾ, MLY, MLKʾ, MLKW, MLKY are also attested (Stark 1971,31-4, 95). MLW/Y, MLYKW, MLKʾ hypocoristic forms of a theophoric name MLK occur in Hat. (Abbadi 1983, 25, 122-3; al-Jubouri 2010b, 44; Marcato 2018, 77-8). MLKW, MLKYW in Nab. (Negev 1991, 39). MLK, ‫“ َﻣِﻠﻚ‬king” as a one-word name is well known in Arab. (Harahshah 2010, nos. 146, 170, 177 etc.). The divine name ‫ מלך‬is attested in Heb. (2 Kings 23:10; Jeremiah 32:35). MNYŠ, PDL?. Persian name.

Masc., dated 165 CE, OSI As37:2 (D24). MNYŠ br ʾDWNʾ

This name is only found otherwise in Hat. and regarded as a Persian name (Hatra 139:3, 4; Abbadi, 1983,123; Beyer, 1998, 161; Marcato 2018, 78-9).

84

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

MSʾ, *8?. “Evening”.

Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am11:1. MSʾ

The name MSʾ is not found in other early Syriac inscriptions. It is related to the names MSW and MSY, which are found in Arab. with the meaning “evening” (Ryckmans 1934, I, 12930). The variant name MŠY in Palm. could be connected with MSʾ and Stark gave the same meaning, “evening” (Stark 1971, 37, 97). In the Old Testament the name MSʾ ‫ משא‬is found as a tribe name and also as the name of the realm of king Lemuel (Genesis 25:14; Proverbs 31:1; Drijvers 1993, 159). M[ʿY]NW60, ,2 [40]?. One-word name. “Helper, assistant”.

Masc., dated 218 CE or 228 (or, less likely, 238), OSI Am8:18 (D51). M[ʿY]NW br ZYDLT

If we accept the reading MʿYNW then the meaning will be “helper, assistant” which is related to the Arab. name MʿYN ‫ ُﻣِﻌﯿﻦ‬61 (Harding 1971, 558) root ‫“ ﻋﻮن‬to help”, act. part. Afʿal form of the verb ‫ﻋﺎَن‬ َ ‫أ‬. The name MʿYNʾ occurs in Palm. (Stark 1971, 34, 95), MʿYNW in Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 117; Negev 1991, 40). Stark 1971, 95 interpreted the name MʿYNʾ in Palm. as “belly, womb”. This interpretation seems to make less sense. On the other hand, Ingholt’s suggestion for Palmyrene MʿYNʾ related it to the Arab. root ‫“ ﻣﻌﻦ‬to be keen, intent” (Ingholt 1938, 132).

The reading of this name is uncertain. It could be MʿNW or MYʿW (cf. OSI, 182). 61 The personal name MʿYNW could also be related to the noun ʿYN “spring, fount, source” (common Semitic). 60

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

85

MʿMY, 4O^?. One-word name. “Blind”.

Masc., dated 218 CE or 228 (or, less likely, 238), OSI Am8:14 (D51). MʿMY br ZYDLT

This name is derived from 4Oܺ0ܰ “to be blind”, paʿel pass. part. The variant names from the same root, ʿMY ‫ﻋِﻤﻲ‬ َ , ʿMʾ ‫ﻋَﻤﻰ‬ َ , are found in Arab. (Ryckmans 1934, I, 160; Harding 1971, 442, 443; Cook 1898, 93). In Nab. the names ʿMʾ, ʿMYW and ʿMT are attested in Nab. (Negev 1991, 52, 53). MʿNʾ, *L^?. One-word name. “Little, small”.

1. Masc., dated 165 CE, OSI As29:2 (D16). hnʾ ṣlmʾ pqd ʾLHʾ lMʿNʾ

2. Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As34:4 (D21). ḤWNR/D br MʿNʾ

3. Masc., dated 165 CE, OSI As37:2 (D24). MNYŠ br ʾDWNʾ wMʿNʾ

4. Masc., undated, 2013, 109-32; Voigt 2013, 133-43. MʿNʾ br BRŠMŠ GDYʾ br MʿNʾ

RMY ʾntt MʿNʾ

BRBʿŠMYN br MʿNʾ 5. Masc., undated: probably 3rd century CE, Teixidor 1998a, 116, L6. lMʿNʾ mn ʿtd ḥ(pn)

For discussion and parallels see under MʿNW below. The name MʿNʾ occurs in Palm. (Stark 1971, 34, 96), Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 117; Negev 1991, 40; al-Khraysheh 1986,

86

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC 111) and Hat. (Hatra 12; 43:2; 79:13; 201:2; Abbadi 1983, 26, 124; Marcato 2018, 79). MʿNʾ is also the name of two Syrian Christian theologians of the fifth century (Baumstark 1922, 105; Harrak 1992, 319).

MʿNW, ,L^?. One-word name. “Little, small”.

1. Masc., dated 6 CE, OSI As55:3 (D1). mrbynʾ dʿWYDLT br MʿNW br MʿNW

2. Masc., dated 73 CE, OSI Bs2:2,3 (D2). MʿNW qšyšʾ bdr dNḤY br MʿNW

3. Masc., undated: probably from c. 170 CE, OSI As51:2, 6 (D9). MʿNW br MQMY [Mʿ]NW gl[p]

4. Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As30:3 (D17). dkyr ʾDWNʾ wTYRDT wʾNʾ wMʿNW

5. Masc., undated: probably first half of 3rd century, OSI As1:7 (D27). ŠLMT mlktʾ brt MʿNW pṣgrybʾ

6. Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am4:4, 10 (D47). ŠLMT brt MʿNW

MʿNW br MQYMW 7. Masc., undated, before 115 CE, Howgego 1985, 109, no.26; Luther 2010, T4, 22-3. M (a possible abbreviation of MʿNW).

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

87

8. Masc., undated, before c. 115/16 CE, Howgego 1985, 244, no. 695; Luther 2010, T5, 23. Mʿ/NW

9. Masc., dated 243 CE, P. Dura 28:6 (OSI P1; DP). ʾWRLYWS ʾBGR hpws rhmws br MʿNW

10. Masc., undated, in an unpublished inscription drawn to my attention by John Healey. ʾṬYWKʾ br(?) MʿNW

11. Masc., dated 240 CE, P. Euphr. 18:4 (OSI P2). MʿNW pṣgrybʾ

12. Masc., dated during the reign of Maʿnu VIII (164/576), OSI Co3:1. MʿNW mlkʾ

The name MʿNW62 is connected with the well-known Arab. name ‫ َﻣْﻌٌﻦ‬63 (Ibn Doreid 1854, 165; Ryckmans 1934, I, 130-1 (for paralles); Littmann 1943a, 325; Harding 1971, 556-7; Harahshah 2010, nos. 3, 67, 352) which is derived from ‫َﻣَﻌَﻦ‬ “to be little” (Ibn Manẓür vol. 13, 410). The theophpric name, MʿNʾL also occurs in Arab. (Ryckmans 1934, 235). The forms MʿNW, MʿN, MʿNʾ, MʿNY are attested in Palm. (Ingholt 1955, 175; Stark 1971, 34,96). MʿNW, MʿNʾ, MʿNʾLHY, MʿNLHY, MʿNLH in Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 117; Negev 1991, 40, 41; al-Khraysheh 1986, 111) and MʿNW in Hat. (Hatra 189:1; 230:2; 288:4; Abbadi 1983, 26, 124-25; Marcato 2018, 79-80). Several kings of Edessa were known by the name MʿNW (Thes. Syr. 2186). It was also borne by a king of neighbouring Arabia during Trajan’s time (Segal The final W in MʿNW and ʾ in MʿNʾ are produced by analogy with hypocoristic forms (cf. Stark 1971, 96 under MʿNW). 63 The name MʿNʾ/W could be the Arab. divine name used also as personal name. (Cf. Ingholt 1955, 175; Leroy 1957, 235; Stark 1971, 96; Abbadi 1983, 124-5; Harrak 1992, 319; Marcato 2018, 79-80). 62

88

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC 1954, 19-20; Leroy 1957, 320-1) and is likewise found in the early Syriac literature sources (Doctrina Addai) (Phillips 1876, ]=: 8).

MʿTʾ, 76^?. One-word name. “Helper”.

Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As30:3 (D17). wMʿTʾ wʾLKWD br ʾDWNʾ

MʿTʾ, with the Aramaic emphatic state ending, is related to the Arab. name MĠṮ ‫ﻣﻐﺚ‬64 (Ryckmans 1934, I, 173-4 (for parallels); Littmann, 1943a, 326; Winnett 1957, 197; Harding 1971, 558; Caskel 1966, 420) which is derived from ‫“ ﻏﻮث‬to help”, act. part. Afʿal form of the verb ‫“ أﻏﺎث‬to cause to help”. The personal names MʿYTW and MʿYTY are attested in Palm. (Stark 1971, 34, 96), MʿYTW, ʿWTW and ʿWTʾL in Nab. (Cantineaue 1932, II, 117,128; Negev 1991, 40, 49), YʿWŠ ‫ יעוש‬in Heb. (Genesis 36:5, 14; Noth 1980, 196). MQYMW, ,ODJ?. Hypocoristicon. “(Divine name) makes to stand” or “(Divine name) causes to rise”. 1. Masc., dated 201/2 CE, OSI As16:3 (D31). SLWK br MQYMW

2. Masc., undated: probably the same as As16:201/2 CE, OSI As17:1 (D32). MQYMW br SLWK

3. Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am4:2, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 (D47).

As suggested by Drijvers 1980, 84, the name MʿTʾ could be a hypocoristic form of a theophoric name ʾMʿTʾ “ʿTʾ is mother”, but this would be used for a fem. rather than a masc. 64

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS GNW ʾntt MQYMW

89

(2)

MQYMW br ʿBDNḤY (5) Z.........Y br MQYMW (7) ʿBDŠMŠ br MQYMW MʿNW br MQMY

(9)

(11)

ʾMTNḤY brt MQYMW (13) 4. Masc., dated 243 CE, P. Dura 28:30, (OSI P1; DP). BLŠW br MQYMW

This name is derived from the root [bܳ ،‫ܡ‬,b “to arise” (common Semitic except Akkadian), act. part. Aphʿel. The W at the end of the name represents the hypocoristic ending. The name MQYMW occurs frequently in Palm. (Ingholt 1955, 153, 175; Stark, 35-7, 96 (for parallels) and Nab. (Cook 1898, 77; Cantineau 1932, II, 142; al-Khraysheh 1986, 113-14; Negev 1991, 41). The personal names MQM ‫ﻣﻘﻢ‬, MQMʾL ‫ﻣﻘﻤﺎل‬,”ʾL makes to stand”, are attested in Arab. (for parallels see Ryckmans 1934, I, 188-9, 247; Littmann 1943a, 326; Winnett 1956, 197; Harding 1971, 491, 560). As a theophoric name, MQYMŠMŠ is found in Hat. (Hatra 60:1; 61:1; 467:1; 468:1; Abbadi 1983, 26, 125; Marcato 2018, 80). The variant name YQYM ‫ יקים‬appears in Heb. (1 Chronicles 8:19; Noth 1980, 28, 200). MQMY, 4OJ?. Hypocoristicon.

1. Masc., undated: probably c. 170 CE, OSI As51:3 (D9). MʿNW br MQMY

2. Masc., dated 242 CE, P. Euphr. 19:9 (OSI P3). ŠMʾ ʾbwhy br MQMY

MQMY is a defective writing for the name MQYMY. The final Y represents the hypocoristic ending. For discussion and parallels see under MQYMW.

90

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

MRʾBYLHʾ, 7>GD)‫ܐ‬.?. Uncertain.

Masc., dated 249 CE, P. Euphr. 6:38; 7:32. ʾWRLS LṬYBSYN br MRʾBYLHʾ

This unusual name is composed of three elements: MRʾ “lord” plus (ʾ)BY “my father” and a hypocoristic of the theophoric name ʾLHʾ, accordingly, the meaning would be as follows: “the Lord is my father’s god”. The other possible interpretation is to consider that this name as combined with the noun MRʾ and the divine name BYL plus a hypocoristic form of ʾLHʾ. Therefore, the meaning would be “the Lord is BYL the god” or “The Lord my father is god” (Feissel, Gascou and Teixidor 1997, 25). MRWNʾ, *2‫ܘ‬.?. One-word name. “Little lord”. Masc., undated, OSI Cs3:2 (D56). ŠLMT brt MRWNʾ

ܶ This is a diminutive form of the word K.?ܳ “lord” with -WN suff. (Nöldeke 1904a, § 131). The same name occurs in Palm. (Cook 1898, 77; Stark 1971, 37, 97). The personal name MRʾ ‫“ َﻣْﺮٌء‬lord, man” is attested in Arab.65 (Ryckmans 1934, II, 132; Littmann, 1943a, 326; Winnett 1957, 195) and MRY, MRYʾ in Hat. (Hatra 278:2; 363:5; Beyer 1998, 161; Abbadi 1983, 26, 126; Marcato 2018, 81-2). MRQWS, ‫ܣ‬,b.?. Marcus. Latin name.

1. Masc., dated 243 CE, P. Dura 28:1, 5 (2x), 24, 25, 29 (OSI 1; DP) ʾwṭqrṭwr qsr MRQWS

(1)

The personal name MRWNʾ could alternatively be related to the Arab. name MRWN ‫َﻣْﺮوان‬, from the word ‫“ َﻣْﺮوة‬white pebbles like flint-stone” with -an ending. (See Ibn Doreid 1854, 47; Harding 1971, 542) 65

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

91

MRQWS ʾWRLYWS ʾNṬYWKS; wbʾsṭrṭgwtʾ dMRQW[S] (5, 2x) MRQWS ʾWRLS

MRQWS ʾWRLYWS

(24, 25) (29)

2. Masc., dated 240 CE, P. Euphr. 18:2 (OSI P2). ʾwṭqrṭwr qsr MRQWS

3. Masc., dated 242 CE, P. Euphr 19:1, 5 (2x) (OSI P3). ʾwṭqrṭwr qsr MRQWS

(1)

ʾWRLYWS

(5, 2x)

bkmrwtʾ dMRQWS ʾWRLYWS; wbʾrkwnwtʾ dMRQWS The personal names MRQWS and MRQS occur in Palm. (Stark 1971,37, 97). MRQYʾ, *Db.?. Marcia. Latin name.

Fem., dated 243 CE, P. Dura 28:i (abbreviated), 7 (OSI 1; DP) M(RQYʾ) ʾ(WRLYʾ) MTRʿTʾ brt ŠMNY (i) MRQYʾ ʾWRLYʾ MTRʿTʾ brt ŠMNBRZ

(7)

MŠW, ,N?. See under MSY.

Masc., undated, in an unpublished inscription drawn to my attention by John Healey. [hn]ʾ ṣlmʾ lMŠW.

MTY, ‫ܝ‬6?. See BRMTʾ and BRMTY above.

Masc., dated CE 240, P. Euphr. 18:25, v2 (OSI P2). ḤŠʾ br MTY

92

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

NŠRYHB, ‫>ܒ‬F.N2. Verbal sentence with perfect “NŠR has given”.

1. Masc., dated (CE 240), P. Euphr.18:iv, 9, 27 (OSI P2) lWRWD br NŠRYHB

2. Masc., dated (CE 242), P. Euphr. 19:i, 6, 22, v2, v6 (OSI P3) WRWD br NŠRYHB

The name NŠRYHB is made up of the Arab. divine name ܳ NSR,‫ﺴﺮ‬ ْ ِ‫ ﻧ‬/‫ ﻧَْﺴﺮ‬, Syr. NŠRʾ, K.N2ܶ “eagle, vulture”, plus the verb ̄ YHB ‫>ܒ‬Fܰ “to give”( future ‫ܠ‬6ܶ2ܶ), perf. peʿal 3rd masc. sing. (see also under ŠMŠYHB). The personal name NŠRYHB occurs often in Hatr. (Hatra e.g. 4:6; 25:1; 83:4; 100:1). It is also found in a new inscription from Hatra (al-Jadir 2006, 305-11; Beyer 2013, 44-5). Indeed, names with the divine name NŠR are well attested in Hat. as well as the hypocoristic forms NŠRʾ and NŠRY (Abbadi 1983, 28-30, 130-31; Beyer 1998, 162; Marcato 2018, 87-8). NŠRY is also attested in Palm. (Stark 1971, 40, 100). As a personal name NSR is likewise attested in Arab. (Littmann 1943a, 329). NŠRYHB is the name of a Syriac monk and author (Harrak 1992, 321)66. SWRS, ‫ܪܣ‬,R. Severus. Latin name.

1. Masc., dated 242 CE, P. Euphr. 19:6 (OSI P3). ʾLKSNDRWS br SWRS wBRʿTʾ

2. Masc., undated, Önal et al. 2013, p. 16, no. 8. SWR[S] br ʾPTWῌʾ

In class.Syr. the name ‫ܪܘܣ‬,R is quite well known as the Syriac version of the name Severus (Thes. Syr. 2584). It is appropriate here to mention that there was an attempt by Syriac Christians to avoid personal names referring to pagan features as they were replaced by the name Jesus or Christ e.g. ʿBDNḤY changed to ʿBDYŠWʿ and GDYHB to YŠWʿYHB (Harrak 1992, 323.) 66

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

93

SLWK, ‫ܟ‬,GR. Seluk. Greek name (Seleukos).

1. Masc., dated 6 CE, OSI As55:8 (D1). ḤŠY glpʾ wSLW[K.....

2. Masc., dated 201/2 CE, OSI As16:2 (D31). SLWK br MQYMW

3. Masc., undated: probably 201/2 CE, OSI As17:2 (D32). MQYMW br SLWK

4. Masc., undated: probably 201/2 CE, OSI As18:2 (D33). RḤBW brt SLWK

5. Masc., undated: probably 201/2 CE, OSI As19:2 (D34). GʿL brt BRʿTʾ ʾntt SLWK

The name SLWK is a Syriac form of the Greek name Σέλευκος, Arab. form ‫ﺳﻠﻮﻗﺲ‬. It appears with both K and Q in class, Syr. (Thes. Syr. 2642, etc.). It is worth noting that the name of Seleukia in Syriac: ‫ܟ‬,ܽGR 6D)ܶ‫* ܕ‬Iܳ.Iܰ. The name SLWK, with K at the end, is attested in Hat. (Hatra 5:2; 94; 111; 166; 169; 170; Abbadi 1983, 31, 132-3; Marcato 2018, 89) and Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 123), but it is found with Q in Palm. (Stark 1971, 41, 101). SMY, 4OR. One-word name. “High, elevated”.

1. Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am3:16 (D46). SMY

2. Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Cm5:2. br SMY

94

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC 67 This is related to the Arab. personal name ‫ﺳِﻤﻲ‬ َ or ‫ﺳﺎﻣﻲ‬ (Ryckmans 1934, I, 151; Harding 1971, 331; Caskel 1966, 518) derived from ‫ﺳَﻤﺎ‬ َ “to rise high” (Ibn Manẓūr, Vol. 14, 397-8; Lane, 1433). The theophoric name ʾLSMW‫“ اﻟﺴﻤﻮ‬ʾL is high, great” (Ryckmans 1934, I, 239) is also found in Arab. The female personal name SMY occurs in Hat. (Hatra 5:1; 37:1; Abbadi 1983, 31, 133; Marcato 2018, 90). SMYʾ is likewise attested in Palm. (Stark 1971, 41, 101).

SMNK, nLOR. Uncertain.

Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, Brock 2006-7, 715-17, Figs 1-3. SMNK

This name has no known parallel. SMNK is not a Semitic name, but might be Iranian (Brock 2006-7, 716). SNQ, oLR. Persian name.

Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Bs1:2 (D63). WLGŠ br SNQ QRḤNYʾ

The Persian name SNQ is found in the Doctrine of Addai (Phillips 1876, ‫ܡ‬: 23; Bertolino 2004, AS.H2.01:2, 54-5) and in other early syriac literature (Cureton 1967, aI: 19).

There are other interpretations of the name SMY: (a) It may be connected with the divine name SMYʾ (see BRSMYʾ above for the suggestions concerning this name). (b) SMY could be a gentilic associated with: I. The place name Sameh, south east of Boṣrā (Littmann 1943a, 40), II. The place name SMY‫ﺳﻤﻲ‬, a wadi in the Ḥijāz (Ryckmans 1934, I, 355), III. Šām ‫“ ﺷﺎم‬Syria” (Ryckmans 1934, I, 306). (c) It is also possible that the name SMY ‫ﻲ‬ ُ plural of ‫ﺳﻤﺎء‬, means “new rain” (Ibn Manẓūr, vol. 14, ٌ ‫ﺳِﻤ‬ 399). 67

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

95

SPṬMYWS, ‫ܣ‬,DOUlR. Septimius. Latin name.

Masc., dated 240 CE, P. Euphr. 18:3 (OSI P2). ʾLYWS SPṬMYWS

The personal name SPṬMYWS and the variant forms SPṬMYWS, SPṬMYS are attested in Palm. (Stark 1971, 41, 102). SPNY, 4LlR. Uncertain.

Masc., undated: probably 3rd century CE, Teixidor 1998a, 116, L. 10. BRLY br SPNY

The name could be non-Semitic. SRKN, QI.R. Nominal sentence. “The king is true”.

Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am3:6 (D46). SRKN

This name is related to the Assyrian personal name Šarrukīn(u) (Tallqvist 1914, 217-8) (compounded of šrrum “king” and kīnum “true, firm, faithful”) which was borne by the founder of the dynasty of Agade (2371-2230 BCE) (Saggs 1962, 48-9). The name Š/SRKN is also attested in an ancient Aramaic inscription (Gibson 1975, II, no. 20:15). The form SRGWN ‫ﺳْﺮُﺟﻮن‬ َ is used as a personal name among the Syriacspeaking Christians in Iraq. The Hebrew form ‫ סרגון‬occurs in the Bible (Isaiah 20:1). STRQ, ‫ܪܩ‬6R. Persian name.

Masc., undated, OSI As59:1. ʾnʾ STRQ

96

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC Drijvers and Healey suggested that the name STRQ could be a Parthian name which is not found otherwise in Semitic languages (OSI, 152). STRQ may be related to the Persian name SNṬRWQ with assimilation of N to the following letter Ṭ. However, SNṬRWQ is frequently found in Hat. (Hatra e.g. 28:3,4; 36:3; 37:3; Abbadi 1983, 31-2, 133; Beyer 1998, 162; Marcato 2018, 90).

ʿBDBY, 4)/+0. Hypocoristicon. “Servant of BL or BʿŠMYN”.

Masc. undated: probably 2nd half of 2nd century CE, OSI As56:2 (D26). hnʾ bt qbwrʾ dʿbd ʿBDBY br MLY68

The word ʿBD, “to do, make, work”, is common in Semitic languages except Akkadian. The term ʿBD “servant” is very often used in Semitic onomastic. A theophoric name compounded of ʿBD and a divine name “echoes the ancient Mesopotamia belief – expressed in the first stories of the creation of the world – that man was created for the benefit of the gods: man was to serve the gods” (Teixidor 1977, 160. Cf. Caquot 1962, 238-9). The final Y is the hypocoristic ending of either ʿBDBL that occurs in Palm. (Stark 1971, 41, 102) or ʿBDBʿŠMYN in Hat. (Hatra 275:1; Abbadi 1983, 34, 138; Marcato 2018, 93). The hypocoristic forms ʿBDʾ in Nab. (Negev 1991, 46) and ‫“ עבדי‬servant of Yah” in Heb. (2 Chronicles 29:12; Ezra 10:26) are also found. ʿBD,‫ﻋْﺒﺪ‬ َ and ‫ َﻋْﺒﺪي‬ʿBDY are well-known names in Arab. (Harding 1972, 396-7, 401; Harahshah 2010, nos. 17, 18, 95 etc.). ʿBDWK, ‫ܘܟ‬/+0. Uncertain.

Masc., dated 240 CE, P. Euphr. 18:v4 (OSI P2). ʿrbt ʿBDWK šhd

This new reading suggested by Beyer 1996, 43 seems better than Segal’s reading 1957, 514-18: hnʾ bt qbwrʾ dʿbd ʿBDY bYRM (cf. al-Jadir 1983, 391). 68

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

97

This name is probably hypocoristic form of a theophoric ʿBD (see ʿBDBY) with ŠWK which is the name or epithet of a deity (OSI, 169). For discussion see under ʿBDŠWK. ʿBDLT, 6=/+0. Hypocoristicon. “Servant of ʾLT”.

1. Masc., undated: probably 2nd/3rd century CE, OSI As21:1 (D36). MGDL brt ʿBDLT

2. Masc., undated: probably 2nd/3rd century CE, OSI As6:4 (D42). ʿBDLT br KWZʾ

3. Masc., undated: probably 2nd/3rd century CE, OSI As8:2 (D53). dʿbdw ʾPTWḤʾ wʿBDLT wBKRY

This name is formed as a genitive phrase of a noun plus a divine name. For the word ʿBD see the personal name ʿBDBY above. The elision of initial ʾ occurs here and elsewhere in the divine name ʾLT i.e. ʿBDʾLT > ʿBDLT (Jenni 1965, 377). The deity ʾLT is regarded as the chief goddess of the ancient Arabs (for discussion of the deity ʾLT see Ryckmans 1934, I, 3; Cooke, 1903, 222. See also al-Jadir 1983, 437). The personal name ʿBDLT, ‫ ﻋﺒﺪﻟﺖ‬also with elision of ʾ, is attested in Arab. (Ryckmans 1934, I, 241; Harding 1971, 400), Palm. (Stark 1971, 42, 102) and Nab. (Cantineau, 1932, II, 126). The name ʿBDLY, probably a hypocoristic form of ʿBDLT, is found in Hat. (Hatra 122; 124; 160:1; Beyer 1998, 163; Marcato 2018, 94). ʿBDLT is also the name of a legendary nobleman of Edessa (Segal 1959, 31). [ʿ ]BDMLK, nG?/)[‫]ܥ‬. Genitive compound. “Servant of MLK”. Masc., undated, OSI Add 3:2. [ʿ ]BDMLK br BLBNʾ

98

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC The best explanation of this name is to compare it with the personal names ʿBDMLK and ʿBDMLKN which are found in Arab. (Harding 1971, 400), Hat. ʿBDMLK and ʿBDMLYK (Hatra 62:2; 63:1; 89:1; 103:1; Abbadi 1983, 35, 140; Beyer 1998, 163; Marcato 2018, 95) and ʿBDMLKW in Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 114; Negev 1991, 47; al-Khraysheh 1986, 130). It may be compared with the Palm. MLKBL (Stark 1971, 95). However, the name ʿBDMLK is made up of ʿBD “servant” (for discussion see ʿBDBY) plus the probable divine name MLK “king”69. Names derived from MLK “(god) MLK” are used in large numbers in Syriac (Harrak 1992, 319). The personal name ‫ עבד מלך‬is found in Heb. (Jeremiah 38:7, 8, 10, 11, 13; 39:16) .The name ‫ ﻋﺒﺪ اﻟﻤﻠﻚ‬is well-known in modern Arab.

ʿBDNW, ,2/+0. Hypocoristicon. “Servant of NBW”.

Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE. OSI Am11:3. BRHDD br ʿBDNW

The name ʿBDNW appears for the first time in the old Syriac inscriptions. It seems to be a hypocoristic form of ʿBD “servant” (see ʿBDBY) and the divine name NBW. The personal name ʿBDNW is attested in Nab. (Negev 1991, 47). The variant form ʿBDN occurs in Arab. (Harding 1971, 401). The exact form of this name is not found neither in Palm. nor in Hat. ʿBDNBW is a pagan priest from Edessa converted to Christianity who appeares in the Doctrine of Addai (Phillips 1876, /= : 3; Drijvers 1993, 157; Harrak 192, 320). Another possible hypocoristic form of ʿBDNBW, ʿBDNY, was the name of the disciple of the catholicos Isaac who lived in the 8th century (Harrak 1992, 320).

It is noted that the name MLKʾ is used for feminine in Hat. However, the feminine name Malkah is common among Arabs nowadays (al-Jubouri 2010b, 44, Hatra 470:1). 69

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

99

ʿ ]BD[N]ḤY, 4X [2]/) [‫ܥ‬. Genitive compound. “Servant of NḤY”. Masc., dated 259 CE, OSI Am1:8 (D44). ʿ ]BD[N]ḤY br BRʿTʾ

The name ʿBDNḤY is found in the Doctrine of Addai (Phillips 1876, e2: 4). For discussion and parallels see under ʾBDNḤY and ʿBDBY above. ʿBDŠWK, ‫ܟ‬,T/+0. Genitive compound “Servant of ŠWK”.

Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am3:14 (D46). ʿBDŠWK

For the element ʿBD see ʿBDBY above. According to the formation ŠWK could be the name or epithet of a divinity (Leroy 1957, 322). ŠWK ‫ﺷْﻮك‬ َ “thorns”, is found as a personal name in Arab. (Harding 1971, 363), and a bishop of Baghdad is known by this name, though is not known whether there is a connection between the two names ّ ‫ اﻟ‬is well-known (Leroy 1957, 322). However, al-Šawk ‫ﺸْﻮك‬ family name in Iraq. ʿBDŠMŠ, POT/+0. Genitive compound. “Servant of ŠMŠ”.

Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am4:8 (D47). ʿBDŠMŠ br MQYMW

This name is made up of the noun ʿBD (see ʿBDBY above) and the divine name ŠMŠ. The personal name ʿBŠMS ‫( ﻋﺒﺸﻤﺲ‬Ibn Doreid 1854, 143; Ryckmans 1934, I, 241; Harding 1971, 399) with elision (found elsewhere in the inscriptions) of the letter D before a following sibilant is attested in Arab. (see also the names ʿBSMYʾ and ʿBŠLMʾ). The names ʿBDŠMYʾ, ʿBŠMYʾ appeared in Palm. (Stark 1971, 42, 103-4), ʿBDŠMŠ in Hat. (Hatra 145:2; Abbadi 1983, 39, 143; Beyer 1998, 163;

100

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC Marcato 2018, 98). In the Doctrine of Addai ʿBDŠMŠ is the name of a prince of Edessa (Thes. Syr. 2781; Leory, 1957, 322; Phillips 1876, @F: 10; Harrak 1992, 320). The personal name ŠMŠY ‫ שמשי‬appears in Old Testament (Ezra 4:8, 9, 17, 23).

ʿBYDʿL, g0/D+0. Verbal sentence. “Little servant (of the deity) has exalted”.

Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As61:3. lʿBYDʿL brh

ʿBYD, ‫ﻋﺒَﯿْﺪ‬ ُ is an Arab. diminutive form (‫ )ﻓَُﻌﯿﻞ‬of the name ʿBD ‫ﻋﺒْﺪ‬ “servant” (see ʿBDBY) with 3rd masc. sing. perf. ʿL “to َ raise, elevate, exalt” (Compendious, 413; Drijvers 1993, 153). ʿBYD ‫ﻋﺒَﯿﺪ‬ ُ occurs in Arab. (Ryckmans 1934, I, 156), in Palm. ʿBYDW (Stark 1971, 42, 103), ʿBYDʾ and ʿBYDW in Hat. (Hatra 248:1; 179:1; Abbadi 1983, 39, 143-4; Marcato 2018, 99). The forms ʿBYDW and ʿBDʿLY occur in Nab. (Negev 1991, 47-8). ʿBSMYʾ, *DO8+0 Genitive compound. “Servant of SMYʾ”.

Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As31:1, 4 (D18). dkyr ʿBSMYʾ br ʾDWNʾ nwhdrʾ

dkyr BBS wTYRDT bny [ʿ]BSMYʾ The elision of the dental letter D before sibilant letter S occurs in this name i.e. ʿBDSMYʾ > ʿBSMYʾ (Segal 1954, 21; Jenni 1965, 380. See also the personal names ʿBŠLMʾ, BRBʿŠMYN). For discussion and parallels see under BRSMYʾ and SMY above. The personal name ʿB[DS]MYʾ occurs in an Aramaic inscription from Assur (Aggoula 1985, 32d:1).

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

101

ʿBŠʾ, *N+0. One-word name. “Severe, stern”.

Masc., dated 209 CE, OSI As9:1 (D54). ʿBŠʾ br BRʿTʾ

This name is connected with the Arab.personal name ʿBS70 ‫ﻋﺒْﺲ‬ ُ (Ibn Doreid 1854, 27, 168; Ibn Manẓūr, َ , ‫ﻋﺎﺑﺲ‬, ‫ﻋﺒّﺎس‬, ‫ﻋﺒَﯿْﺲ‬ vol. 6, 129; Ryckmans 1934, I, 156; Littmann 1943a, 333; Harding 1971, 402; Winnett 1957, 179) which is derived from ʿBS ‫ﺲ‬ َ “to look sternly, frown” (Ibn Manẓūr, vol. 6, َ َ‫ﻋﺒ‬ 128-29; Lane, 1939). The related name ʿBŠY is also found in the Syriac inscriptions. The name ʿBSʾ occurs frequently in Hat. (Hatra 13:2; 35:6; 47:2; 58:1 etc.; Abbadi, 1938, 40, 145; Beyer 1998, 163; Marcato 2018, 100) as well as the forms ʿBŠʾ (Hatra 202:5, 409a:1) and ʿBŠY71 (Hatra 92; 1; Abbadi 1983, 41, 146; Marcato 2018, 100). The name ʿBYŠ/ʿBWŠ is also attested in Hat. (al-Jubouri 2010a, 141, in Hatra 457:2-5) The variant names ʿBSʾ, ʿBSY, and ʿBŠY are attested in Palm. (Ingholt 1955, 175, 176; Cook 1898, 88; Stark 1971, 42, 103) and ʿBYŠW (a diminutive form) in Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 127; Negev 1991, 48). In an Aramaic inscription from Assur the name ʿBSʾ is likewise found (Aggoula 1985, 11(I):4). ʿBŠY is known also in later Syriac tradition (Leroy 1957, 322). ʿBŠWṬʾ, 7‫ܬ‬,N+0. Uncertain.

Masc., dated 252-256 CE, P. Euphr. 3:19; P. Euphr. 4:20. ʿBŠWṬʾ ktbt

The possible interpretation for the name ʿBŠWṬʾ is as a hypocoristic form of the name ʿBD (with assimilation of the letter D before the sibilant Š) plus the theophoric name ŠWṬʾ, though this divine name is not otherwise attested. On the In Arab. the name ‫ ﻋَْﺒﺲ‬is likewise used as an epithet for lion (Nӧldeke 1904b, 77). 71 The names ʿBŠʾ and ʿBŠY may be considered hypocoristic forms of ʿBDŠMŠ with the elided D of the first element ʿBD (Abbadi 1983, 146). 70

102

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC other hand, the hypocoristic names ʿBŠʾ and ʿBŠY which are discussed earlier could also be related to ʿBŠWṬʾ.

ʿBŠY, 4N+0. See under ʿBŠʾ.

1. Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am3:8, 11, 12 (D46). QṢT ʾntt ʿBŠY

ʾRḤMTʾ ʾmh dʿBŠY ʿBŠY

ʿBŠLM, [GN+0. Hypocoristicon. “Servant of ŠLMN”.

Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, Brock 2006-7, 715-17, Figs 1-3. ʿBŠLM

For parallels and discussion see under ʿBŠLMʾ below. ʿBŠLMʾ, *MOGN+0. Hypocoristicon. “Servant of ŠLMN”.

1. Masc., undated: probably 2nd/3rd century, OSI As1:1 (D52). RBY br ʿBŠLMʾ

2. Masc., dated 249 CE, P. Euphr. 6:33; 7:27. lʿBŠLMʾ br MTSYN

This name is formed from the word ʿBD, whose dental is assimilated to the following sibilant (see also ʿBSMYʾ and BRBʿŠMYN), and the shortend form of the the divine name ŠLMN which is seen in Palm. (Ingholt 1955, 158; see also under BRŠLMʾ above) and Ph. (Cooke 1903, 42-3). ʿBDŠLMʾ without assimilation is attested in Hat. (Hatra 15; 16:1; 25:1; 150; 203:1; 430:1; Abbadi 1983, 38, 142; Beyer 1998, 163; Marcato 2018, 97). Both forms, with and without assimilation, are found in Palm. (Ingholt 1955, 158; Stark 1971, 42,

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

103

103; Segal 1959, 30). ʿBŠLMʾ is a well-known name in the early history of Edessa (Cureton, aI: 1; *R: 21; ]0: 2; aV: 23). ʿB(D)ŠLMʾ is also the name of a Christian martyr (Harrak 1992, 320). ʿGY72, 4-0. Uncertain.

Masc., dated CE 242, P. Euphr. 19:5 (OSI P3).

bkmrwtʾ dMRQW ʾWRLYWS…… hyrws br ʿGY This name occurs in Palm. (Stark 1971, 43, 104) and could be a shortened form of ʿGYLW “little calf”, diminutive, ‫ﻋَﺠﯿْﻞ ﻓَُﻌﯿﻞ‬ ُ of ʿGL ‫“ِﻋْﺠﻞ‬calf” in Arab. (Ryckmans 1934, I, 157; Littmann 1943a, 333). The variant form ʿGʾ, is found also in Palm. and Hat. (Stark 1971, 43,104; Hatra e.g. 5:1,2 4; 48:2; 51:1; 90:1; Abbadi 1983, 41-42, 146-7; Marcato 2018, 101-02). ʿWYDLT, 6=/F,0. Hypocoristicon. “Refugee of ʾLT” or “Seeker of ʾLT’s protection”. Masc., dated 6 CE, As55:3 (D1). ʿWYDLT br MʿNW br MʿNW

This name is composed of the form ʿWYD from the root ʿWḎ, ‫ ﻋﻮذ‬in Arab. which means “to seek protection, look for refuge”, plus the divine name ʾLT ‫ اﻟﺖ‬with the elision of its initial ʾ (Degen 1974, 106-8; for discussion of this type of personal name see Caquot 1962, 242). The personal name ʿWYDLT occurs in Palm. (Ingholt 1955, 177; Stark 1971, 44, 104-5). ʿWYDʾLT, in Hat. (Hatra 195:3; 230:3; 345:6; Abbadi 1983, 43, 148; Beyer 1998, 164; Marcato 2018, 104) and ʿWYD, ʿWYDW in Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 128; Negev, 1991, 49). ʿWYDʾ is a well-known name in the early history of Edessa (Cureton 1967, >?: 17; /R: 5; Thes. Syr., 2826). The personal names ʿWḎ ‫( ﻋﻮذ‬a diminutive form), ʿḎ ‫ﻋﺬ‬, ʿWḎT ‫ﻋﻮذت‬, ʿWḎʾL ‫ﻋﻮذال‬, ʿYḎMNT ‫ﻋﯿﺬﻣﻨﺖ‬, are attested in Arab. 72

Reading ʿGY rather than ʾKY as against Drijvers and Healey (OSI, P3:5).

104

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC (Ryckmans 1934, I, 159-60, 242; Littmann 1943a, 334; Winnett 1957, 184).

ʿWYTʾ73, 76F,0. Hypocoristicon . “Refugee of (divine name)”.

Fem., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am5:7 (D48). ʿWYTʾ brt ʾDWNʾ

This name has undergone assimilation of D to T, i.e. ʿWYDTʾ > ʿWYTʾ (Moscati 1969, § 9.3; Stark 1971, 104). The name ʿWYTʾ74 is to be connected with the Arab. name ʿWḎT ‫ﻋﻮذت‬ from ‫ﻋﻮذ‬. For discussion and parallels see under ʿWYDLT. ʿZYZW, ‫@ܘ‬F@0. Divine name used also as a personal name.

Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI As14:3 (D60). lʾDY br ʿZYZW75

The name ʿZYZW is to be connected with the Arab. deity ‫ﻋﺰﯾٌﺰ‬ َ i.e. “almighty”76 (Littmann 1943a, 334; Ingholt 1955, 177), a masc., equivalent of the goddess al-ʿUzzā ‫( اﻟﻌﺰى‬cf. (ʾ)MTʿZT above). A divine name ʿZYZW is found in Palm. (Cook 1898, 90; Ingholt 1955, 177; Stark 1971, 44, 105) and Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 129; Negev 1991, 50) and it is also used as a The alternative reading ʿDYTʾ 76F/0“pilgrim”, which may be derived from the root ‫ܝ‬/0 /K/0 is suggested by Drijvers and Healey (OSI, 173-4). The comparable name ʿDYW is attested in Nab. (Negev 1991, 48). 74 The second element of this name could be regarded as a hypocoristic of the divine name ʿTʾ. It assumes that ʿ > ʾ > ø. 75 The reading ʿZYZW, seems more likely than Drijvers and Healey’s ʿZLZW (OSI, 70). 76 The Syriac ʿZYZW may be interpreted as the adjective ‫( ﻋَﺰﯾٌﺰ‬in Arabic) “dear, honoured, precious” or (in Syriac and Arabic) “mighty, powerful”, augmented by the ending W (cf. Ibn Doreid 1854, 29; Ryckmans 1934, I, 161; Harding 1971, 418). 73

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

105

personal name. The variant form ʿZʾ occurs in Hat. (Hatra 155:1; Marcato 2018, 105) and ʿZYZʾ ‫ עזיזא‬in Heb. (Ezra 10:27; Noth 1980, 18, 160). It is significant to mention that Julian the Apostate says that Azizos was worshipped at Edessa (see Healey 2019a, 53). ʿZL, ‫@ܠ‬0. Hypocoristicon. “ʾL is strong”.

Fem., undated: probably late 2nd or early 3rd century CE, OSI Am10:15 (D70). ʿZL ʾmh dBRSMYʾ

The name ʿZL is related to the Arab. personal name ʿZL77 ‫ﻋﺰل‬ a shortened form of ʿZʾL ‫( ﻋﺰال‬Ryckmans 1934, I, 243) which is also attested. The form ʿZL is made up of the word ʿZ, “strong” derived from the root @0ܰ “to be strong”, Arab. ‫ﻋّﺰ‬ َ (Ibn Doreid 1854, 29; Ibn Manẓūr, Vol. 5, 374-6. See also Drijvers 1982, 176-7), and the deity name ʾL. The theophoric name, ‫עזיאל‬, “my strength is ʾL”, is found in Heb. (Exodus 6:18, 22; Noth 1980, 18, 160). ʿYW78, ,D0. One-word name. “Stammerer”.

1. Fem., undated: probably 2nd half of 2nd century CE, OSI As20:1 (D35). ʿYW brt BRŠWMʾ

2. Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As43:3 (D68). QMT brt ʿYW

The personal name ʿZL could be interpreted in Arabic as a one-word name meaning “weak, feeble” (cf. Ryckmans 1934, I, 161. For other meanings of ‫ ﻋﺰل‬see Ibn Manẓūr, vol. 11, 440-3) 78 The reading GYW is also possible (see OSI, 78-9, 123-24). 77

106

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC This name is used for both a male and a female in the Syriac inscriptions. The name ʿYW79 is connected with other Arab. names ʿY ‫ﻲ‬ ُ (diminutive of ‫ﻲ‬ َ and ‫ﻲ‬ َ ʿYY or ‫ﻋﯿَﻲ‬ َ ) “stamّ ‫ﻋ‬ ّ ِ‫ﻋﯿ‬ ّ ‫ﻋ‬ merer” (Littmann 1943a, 335; Harding 1971, 449), which are derived from ‫ﻲ‬ َ or ‫ﻲ‬ َ “to be unable to express his mind, ‫ﻋ ﱠ‬ َ ِ‫ﻋﯿ‬ falter in speech” (IbnManẓūr, vol. 15, 111). The personal name ʿYW is also attested in the inscriptions with ʿ softened to ʾ, i.e. ʿYW > ʾYW (cf. the name ʾYW above).

ʿLBL, g+G0. Nominal sentence. “BL is high”.

Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As40:2 (D65). ʿLBL br ḤMṬWṬʾ

The name is constituted of an adjective plus a divine name. The first element ʿL, as in the Arab. personal name ʿLY ‫ﻋﻠﻲ‬ (for parallels see Ryckmans 1934, I, 164; Littmann 1943a, 355; Harding 1971, 433; Winnett 1957, 183; Harahshah 2010, nos. 28, 285) and in many other Semitic names, comes from the root ʿLY “to be high”. The theophoric names, ʿLʾL ‫ﻋﻼل‬, ʿLYʾL ‫ ﻋﻠﯿﺎل‬are found in Arab. (for parallels see Ryckmans 1934, I, 243), ʿLYBWL, ʿLYBʿL in Palm. (Stark 1971, 44, 106), and ʿLYʾL in Nab. (Cook 1898, 91; Cantineau 1932, II, 131; Negev 1991, 51). ʿLY ‫ עלי‬occurs in Heb. (1 Samuel 1:3; Noth 1980, 146). ʿNY, 4L0. Uncertain.

Fem., undated: probably 2nd/3rd century CE, OSI Cs2:1 (D57). lʿNY [ʾnt]th

The name ʿNY could be related to the well-known Arab. masc. name ĠNY ‫ﻲ‬ َ “rich man” (Ryckmans 1934, I, 175; ّ ِ‫ﻏﻨ‬ This name may be related to the name ĠY ‫ﻲ‬ ّ ‫“ ﻏ‬seduction” in Arab. (see Sachau 1882, 165). 79

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

107

Harding 1971, 459), fem. ĠNYT ‫ﻏﻨِﯿّﺔ‬ َ , or it may be connected with the personal name ʿNNY “cloud” in Palm. and ʿNN, ʿNNY in Hat. (Stark 1971, 106; Marcato 2018, 107-8). The feminine personal name ‫ﻋﻨَﺎن‬ َ is known in Arab. (cf. Littmann 1943a, 336). The name ʿNY ‫ עני‬is likewise attested in Heb. (1 Chronicles 15:18, 20). ʿQYBʾ, *+DJ0. Uncertain.

Masc., dated 243 CE, Güler 2014, 71. ʾBGR br ʿQYBʾ

This name may be interpreted as a diminutive form (‫ﻋﻘَﯿْﺐ‬ ُ ) of the Arab. name ʿQB ‫ﻋﻘﺎب‬ ُ “eagle” (Littmann 1943a, 336). Other possible explanation of the name ʿQYBʾ is a hypocoristic form of a theophoric name relating to the Aram. pass. part. peʿil from ʿQB “to protect” (for this verb see ŠMŠʿQB) with hypocoristic ending ʾ. Hence the meaning would be “protected by (Divine name)” (for discussion and parallels see Stark 1971, 45, 107; Abbadi 1983, 46, 155; Marcato 2018, 110-12). The equivalent personal name ʿQYBʾ is attested in an Aramaic inscription from Assur (Aggoula 1985, 33d). The male name ʿQYBʾ is well known in Jewish tradition and quite common, but in various spellings (Ilan, I, 203-4; II, 159-60; IV, 118-20; Jastrow 1903, 1105). There is a famous Jewish Rabbi called ʿQYBʾ ‫עקיבא‬. He lived c. 50 to 135 CE. Names with the verb ʿQB “to protect” followed by a divine name are found in Hat. e.g.ʿQBSMYʾ and ʿQBŠMŠ (Abbadi 1983, 45, 154-55. See also ŠMŠʿQB below). The name ʿQBŠMʾ occurs also in a new inscription from Hatra (al-Jadir 2006, 305-11; Beyer 2013, 44-5) and also the variant names ʿQYBʾSR and ʿQYBSR are found in Aramaic inscriptions from Assur (26:2; 27a, b:2, k:1; 28b:1; 28h:4). Personal names ʿQB(ʾ)LHʾ and ʿQBŠMʾ are found in Christian onomastica (Harrak 1992, 322). Note also that the male name ʿQBŠMʾ appears in a Greek form as Ἀκιβσιμα in a painted Greek inscription from Edessa (Çetin et al. 2020, 135).

108

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

ʿQRB, ‫ܒ‬.J0. One-word name. “Scorpion”.

Masc., undated: probably late 2nd or early 3rd century CE, OSI Am10:12 (D70). ʾŠDW br ʿQRB

The name ʿQRB is frequently found in Arab. (Ibn Doreid 1854, 316; Ryckmans 1934, I, 39; Littmann 1943a, 336; Harding 1971, 427; Winnett 1957, 182; Harahshah 2010, nos. 6, 131, 159 etc.) and Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 134; Negev 1991, 54; Drijvers 1982, 176). The form ʿQRBN with final N occurs in Palm. (Stark 1971, 45, 107) and Hat. (Hatra 102; 255; 394; 395; Abbadi 1980, 46, 155-56; Beyer 1998, 165; Marcato 2018, 112). ʿTY, ‫ܝ‬60. Uncertain.

Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Cm2:1. ʿTY br [

This name may be a hypocoristic form of the personal name connected with well divine name ʿTʾ (Atargatis) such as BRʿTʾ (OSI, 210). The name ʿTY is found in Palm. for both male and female (Cook 1898, 95; Stark 1971, 46, 108). The personal name ʿTY relating to the Arab. noun ʿtiyy ‫ﻲ‬ َ ‫ﻋﺘِ ﱞ‬ “proud, immoderate” (Ibn Manẓūr, Vol. 15, 27-8) is found in Hat. (al-Jubouri 2010b, 49, Hatra 478:1; Marcato 2018, 113). The personal name ʿTY ‫ עתי‬is attested in Heb. (1 Chronicles 2:35). In Assyrian personal names the forms A-te-ʾ and A-ti-i occur (Tallqvist 1914, 47). PLWṬ/PLWṬʾ, *‫ـ‬H,GV/‫ܛ‬,GV. Philoṭa. Greek name (Philōtas). Masc., dated 242 CE, P. Euphr. 19:i, 6 (OSI P. 3). NŠRYHB br PLWṬ

NŠRYHB br PLWṬʾ

(i)

(6)

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

109

PPʾ, *lV. Pāpā. Latin name (Pappus).

Masc., dated 194 CE, Healey 2006, 313-27. ʾnʾ PPʾ br PPʾ

This name could be related to the Latin name PPWS which is attested in the Syriac deed of sale dated in 243 CE (P. Dura 28:2, OSI P1; DP). The name PPʾ is not found otherwise in the Syriac corpus. It is noteworthy that PPʾ *lܰVܰ, *VܰhVܰ appears to be derived from Greek πάππας/πάπας with the typical Syriac emphatic ending ʾ (see OSI 30-1; al-Jadir 2012, 56-7. Cf. PPWS with the Greek ending -oς below) and is known as the name of an early Patriarch of Seleucia (Healey 2006, 321). PPWS, ‫ܣ‬,lV. Pappus. See PPʾ.

Masc., dated 243 CE, P. Dura 28:2 (OSI P1; DP). wdṬRYBWNYWS PPWS

PRṬKSṬṬWS, ‫ܣ‬,UU89H.V. Praetextatus. Latin name.

Masc., dated 242 CE, P. Euphr. 19:2 (OSI p3). LPYDWS PRṬKSṬṬWS.

….]ṢL, ‫…[ܨܠ‬. Incomplete name.

Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As42:3 (D67). ….]ṢL br WRDW

The letters ṢL represent the end of a personal name. This form may be a compound name with the verb ṢL “to pray, implore” or Akkadian ṣillu “shade, protection” (Drijvers 1973, 9; OSI, 121).

110

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

QWZʾ, 7‫ܙ‬,b. Uncertain.

Masc., dated 249 CE, P. Euphr. 6:32; 7:26. ʾWRLS QWZʾ br ʾBʾ

The name QWZʾ could be a one word name related to the Arab. noun ‫“ ﻗَْﻮز‬high dunes of sand” (Ibn Manẓūr, vol. 5, 398-9) or it may be connected with 7‫ܳܙ‬,bܽ “weasel” in Syr. (Compendious, 493). However, the personal name QWZʾ is found also in Nab. (Negev 1991, 57), though it is not otherwise attested in Syriac corpus. On the other hand, the personal name KWZʾ which is found in the Syriac inscriptions (cf. above and OSI As6:4 (D42); As26:1 (D13)) may be connected to the name QWZʾ because of the alternation between Q and K. ….]QYʾ, *Db[…. Incomplete name.

Fem.(?), undated: probably 2nd/3rd century CE, OSI As4:3 (D30). …..ʾNʾ ḥth dBRŠMŠ ...]QYʾ[…

The name is not fully written and an interpretation is thus impossible, though Sachau suggested the reading ʾWDQYʾ, in Greek Εὐδοκία (Sachau 1882, 163). QYMY, 4ODb. Hypocoristicon. “(Divine name) is ruler, supreme”.

1. Fem., undated: probably 2nd/3rd century CE, OSI As6:2 (D42). QYMY [b]rt ʾRKW

2. Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As33:1 (D20). ʾNʾ br QY[MY]

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

111

This is related to the Arab. name QYM ‫ ﻗَﯿِّﻢ‬interpreted as the noun “supreme, ruler”80 (Ryckmans 1934, I, 189; Harding 1971, 492, Winnett 1957, 19), derived from the root ‫ ﻗﻮم‬. The Y at the end of the name is the hypocoristic. The feminine name, QYMY occurs in Hat. (Hatra 35:2; Abbadi 1983, 47, 159; Marcato 2018, 114) and the masculine name QYMY in Palm. (Stark 1971, 48, 110). QYMW is found in Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 142, Negev 1991, 58). QLYLW, ,GDGb. Uncertain.

Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Bo1:1 (D63:II). dlQLYLW ml tqlʾ

This is probably a name related to the Syr. verbal adjective ܺ qlyl gDGbܰ “little, small” from the root ql gbܰ “to lessen” (Compendious, 505-06). The other possible meaning of QLYLW would connect it with 76ܳ=,bܽ in Syr. and ‫ ﻗُّﻠﺔ‬in Arab. meaning “pitcher, ewer”. On the other hand, Torrey gives the meaning “approximately” for the first word of the inscription qlylw (Torrey 1933, 178-80). QMY, 4Ob. Uncertain in type and meaning.

1. Fem., dated 218 or 228 CE (or, less likely, 238), OSI Am8:7 (D51). QMY brt ZYDLT

2. Fem., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, Brock 2006-7, 715-17, Figs 1-3. QMY

It is possible also that the Arabic name QYM ‫ َﻗِّﯿﻢ‬means “valuable, precious”, but the meaning “manager” of anything (camels, affairs, politics, etc.) is suggested by Macdonald 1999, 283. 80

112

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC This name may perhaps be associated with the Arab. personal names QMY, QMʾT meaning “sheltered spot”81 (Harding 1971, 487-88; Ibn Manẓūr, vol. 15, 201; Lane, 2560) or possibly a defective spelling for QYMY, which is discussed above (cf. OSI, 183).

QṢT, ‫ܬ‬qb. One-word name. “Far away, remote”.

Fem., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am3:7 (D46). QṢT ʾtt ʿBŠY

The name QṢT is connected with the Arab. personal name QṢY ‫ﺼﻲ‬ َ ُ‫ ﻗ‬and ‫ﺼﯿّﺔ‬ َ ُ‫( ﻗ‬diminutive forms) (Littmann 1943a, 342; Harding 1971, 483; Winnett 1957, 189) which are derived from ‫“ ﻗﺼﻮ‬remoteness” (Ibn Doreid 1854, 13; Ibn Manẓūr, Vol. 15, 183, 186)). These names are well-known in Arab. onomastica in the present day. The name QṢYW is found in Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 143; al-Khraysheh 1986, 161-62; Negev 1991, 58). QŠYʾ, *DNb. One-word name. “Hard, solid”.

Masc., dated 244 CE, OSI Am9 (D69). BRʿMTʾ br QŠYʾ

The name QŠYʾ is related to the Syriac part. adj. *DܳNbܰ “hard, difficult”, which comes from the root *Nܳb (paʿel 4Nܺbܰ “to harden, stiffen”, see Compendious, 522). The personal name QSY ‫ﻗَِﺴﻲ‬, derived from ‫ﺴﺎ‬ َ َ‫“ ﻗ‬to be hard”, is found in Arab. (Ibn Doreid 1854, 183; Ibn Maẓūr, vol. 15, 180-1; Harding 1971, 482; Caskel 1966, 466; Winnett 1957, 189; Drijvers 1973, 14).

81

Ryckmans 1934, I, 191 offered the meaning “to admit” for the QMY.

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

113

RBY, 4)‫ܪ‬. Hypocoristicon. “(Divine name) is lord”.

Masc., undated: probably 2nd/3rd century CE, OSI As7:1 (D52). RBY br ʿBŠLMʾ

The word RB is common in the Semitic languages, and is used in this name as substantive, meaning “lord”82. The name RBY (with the ending Y) is a hypocoristic. RBY is also found in Arab. (Ryckmans 1934, I, 196, 268. For parallels see likewise Littmann 1943a, 342; Harding 1971, 268; Winnett 1957, 162). The name RBʾ occurs in Palm. (Ingholt 1955, 165; Stark 1971, 49, 111), and RBʾ, RBʾL, RBW in Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 145; Segal 1959, 30; al-Khraysheh 1986, 163; Negev 1991, 59), RBY, RBN in Hat. (Hatra 295:2; 146:2; Abbadi 1983, 48, 161-2; Beyer 1998, 165; Marcato 2018, 116-7). RBYTʾ, 76D)‫ܪ‬. Hypocoristicon. “(Divine name) is a great lady”. Fem. undated, OSI Cs3:2 (D56).

ṣlmʾ dŠLMT brt MRWNʾ wdRBYTʾ brth The name RBYTʾ may be a feminine form which is derived ܰ from RBʾ/RBY *)ܳ‫ܪ‬/4)ܺ‫ܪ‬,”to grow” (OSI, 208). 76ܳ)‫ “ ܪ‬a great lady, mistress” is a feminine of ‫( ܪܒ‬Compendious, 527). The variant masculine personal name RBTʾ meaning “Greatness of (of Divine name)” is attested in Hat. (Hatra 31:3; Marcato 2018, 117). For discussion of the element RB see under RBY.

The element RB is also used in the theophoric names as an adjective, meaning “great, large” (for discussion and parallels see Huffmon 1965, 260; Caquot 1962, 251). 82

114

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

RBTYRMK83,n?.F6)‫ܪ‬. Genitive compound. “Goddess of (river) YRMK”.

Masc., undated: probably 2nd half of 2rd century CE, OSI As56:3 (D26). ʿBDBY br MLY wRBTYRMK ʾḥ[why

According to Beyer, the masculine name RBTYRMK, is an unattested name of a goddess, but could be the goddess of the river Yarmuk, used here as the name of a woman (Beyer 1996, 43; OSI, 146). It is noteworthy that the personal names RBBT and RBT are clearly used for males in Palm. (Stark 1971, 49, 111). RWMʾ, *M?‫ܪܘ‬. Hypocoristicon. “(Divine name) is exalted”.

Masc. undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am11:5. RWMʾ br BRŠMʾ

This is a hypocoristic of a theopohric name (see under RMʾ for discussion and parallels). The name RWMʾ occurs frequently in Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 146; al-Khraysheh 1986, 165; Negev 1991, 60). The Arab. RWM ‫ اﻟّﺮْوم‬meaning “lobe of the ear” (Ibn Manẓūr, vol. 12, 258) is found with the form RWMY as a personal name in Palm. (Stark 1971, 49, 111). RḤBW, ,+X‫ܪ‬. One-word name. “Spacious, large”.

Fem., undated: probably the same as As16:201/2 CE, OSI As18:1 (D33). RḤBW brt SLWK

Segal suggested the reading BRTYRMKʾ, a feminine name formed with the first element BRT “daughter”. YRMK (with Iranian suffix k) is a place name associated with the villages Yukari Yarimca and Asagi Yarimca, about six kilometres to the north-west of modern Harran (Segal 1957, 516, 518; al-Jadir 1983, 364). 83

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

115

The personal name RḤBW is to be derived from RḤB ‫ﺐ‬ َ ‫َرُﺣ‬ “to be spacious, large”. The name form Riḥāb ‫ ِرَﺣﺎب‬is used for females in Arab. in the present day. It has also been found as a masc. name (Ryckmans 1934, I, 199; Harding 1971, 272; Caskel 1966, 484; Winnett 1957, 163). The variant name RḤBLʾ appears in Hat. (Hatra 50:2) with the meaning “welcome to ʾLT” and is regarded as a theophoric name with a hypocoristic form of the goddess ʾLT (see Beyer 1998, 166). RḤB ‫רחב‬, fem. name , is ttested in Heb. (Joshua 2:1, 3; 6:17, etc.; Noth 1980, 193). RMʾ, *M?‫ܪ‬. Hypocoristicon. “(Divine name) is exalted”.

Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Bs1:5 (D63). WLGŠ br SNQ QRḤNYʾ tlmdʾ dRMʾ

ܳ The element RM is to be derived from the root ‫ܪܡ‬, ‫“ ܪܘ ܡ‬to be high, exalted”, and is connected with the Palm. and Nab. personal name RMʾ (Stark 1971, 49, 112; Caquot 1962, 250; Cantineau 1932, II, 146; al-Khraysheh 1986, 166; Negev 1991, 60) which is common among the Christians of Mesopotamia (Torrey 1932, 71; Bertolino 2004, AS.H2.01:5, 54-5). The names RMʾL (Ryckmans 1934, I, 200; Cook 1898, 108) and RM (Littmann 1943a, 343), which is probably a short form of RMʾL are attested in Arab. as well as RMY in Aramaic papyri (Cowley, 1923, no.34:3). The variant names RMW and RMY are found in Palm. (Caquot 1962, 250; Stark 1971, 49, 112), and in Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 146; al-Khraysheh 1986, 166; Negev, 1991, 60). RMW occurs in Hat. (Hatra 111:1; 150:1; 297:1; Abbadi 1980, 49, 164; Beyer 1998, 166; Marcato, 2018, 119), RM, ‫ רם‬in Heb. (Ruth 4:19; Noth 1980, 52, 145-46) and RMBʿL in Ph. (Benz 1972, 408).

116

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

RMY84, 4?‫ܪ‬. One-word name. “Thrower, archer”.

1. Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am3:5 (D46). RMY

2. Fem., undated, Rumscheid 2013, 109-32; Voigt 2013, 133-43. RMY

This name is used for both males and females in the Syriac inscriptions as well as in Aramaic inscriptions in the Palmyrene museum (al-Asʿad 2012, nos. 17:2 [fem.], 34:2 [masc.]) and related to the Arab. name RMY ‫رﻣﻲ‬, (Ryckmans 1934, I. 200; Cook 1898, 108, Harding 1971, 288) act. part. which is a derivative of the verb RMʾ ‫“ َرَﻣﻰ‬to cast”85, Syr. *?ܳ‫ܪ‬. The personal name RMY occurs in Palm. and Nab. (Stark 1971, 49, 112; Cantineau 1932, II, 146; Negev 1991, 60). RʿY, 40‫ܪ‬. One-word name. “Willing, content”.

Masc., undated: probably 2nd half of 2nd century CE, OSI As24:2 (D40). RʿY br ŠYBʾ

The root RḌY (Arab. ‫“ )رﺿﻲ‬to be content, pleased, willing”86 is common in the Semitic languages except Akkadian. In This name could be read DMY meaning “bloody”. It is possible to connect RMY with the personal name RMʾ (for discussion and parallels see under RMʾ above). 86 Some other interpretations for the name RʿY are also possible: (a) The root meaning could be “feed, graze, rule”. The name would then be related to the Arab. name ‫“ راﻋﻲ‬shepherd” (see Harding 1971, 282 for parallels; Caskel 1966, 484). (b) On the other hand RʿY could be a divine name as in Arab. ‫ رﺿﻲ‬used aslo as a personal name (cf. Ryckmans 1934, I, 32, 203; Littmann 1943a, 343-4; Winnett 1957, 163). (c) The name may be interpreted as a hypocoristic form meaning “(Divine name) delights” (Stark 1971, 112). 84 85

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

117

ܰ Syriac it is 40ܺ‫“ ܪ‬to please, be pleasing”, paʿel form. The Arab. personal name RḌY ‫( رﺿﻲ‬Ryckmans 1934, I, 203; Littmann 1943a, 343) (act. part. faʿala form) is connected with this name (which is also act. part. peʿal). The names Rʿʾ, RʿY are attested in Palm. (Ingholt 1955, 157; Stark 1971, 49, 112), RʿW, RʿWʾL in Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 147; Negev 1991, 61), RṢYʾ ‫ רציא‬in Heb. (1 Chronicles 7:39; Noth 1980, 229). RʿYʾ (a feminine name) in the Aramaic papyri (Cowley, 1923, no. 34:3). ŠDDW87, ‫ܕܘ‬/T. Hypocoristicon. “(Divine name) is Powerful”.

Masc., undated: perhaps late 2nd/early 3rd century CE, OSI As62 ŠDDW br MʿNW

Masc., undated, perhaps late 2nd/early 3rd century CE, As62:2, 3. ʾMŠMŠ ʾtth dŠDDW ʾMŠMŠ ʾntt ŠDDW

For discussion and parallels see under ŠDDWNḤʾ. ŠDDWNḤʾ, *32‫ܕܘ‬/T. Nominal sentence. “NḤY is powerful” Masc., dated 73 CE, OSI Bs2:3 (D2).

MʿNW qšyšʾ bdr dNḤY br brh dŠDDNḤʾ This name is made up of an adjective plus divine name88. The first element ŠDDW89 is connected with the Arab. ŠDD ‫ﺷﺪﱠ‬ َ “to be powerful, strong in war” or “to fasten a rope”. The Arab. The reading ŠRDW is also possible (cf. OSI, 158). It is interesting to mention that NḤY appears twice in this inscription, once in this name and once alone. 89 The name ŠDDW may perhaps be read ŠRDW, Arab. name ‫ﺷﺎِرد‬ َ , meaning “deserter”, as there is no difference between letters D and R (Sachau 1882, 147; Nöldeke 1908, 151. See also n. 87 above). 87 88

118

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC name ŠDD ‫( ﺷﺪد‬Ibn Doreid 1854, 106; Ryckmans 1934, I, 206, 317; Littmann 1943a, 344; Harding 1971, 343; Caskel 1966, 522; Winnett 1957, 171) is derived from the same root as are the name forms ŠDDʾ in Palm. (Stark 1971, 50, 113), and ŠDDW in Hat. (Hatra 186:1; 304:2; 312; Abbadi 1983, 50, 167; Beyer 1998, 166).

ŠWMW, ,?,T. One-word name. “Pasture”

Fem. undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am2:13 (D45). ŠWMW

This name has no parallels. For discussion, see under BRŠWMW. ŠWTNʾ, *2‫ܬ‬,T. Uncertain type and meaning.

Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As35 (D22). dkyr BRWNʾ wŠWTNʾ

This name may be connected with the Arab. name ŠṮN ‫ﺷﺜْﻦ‬ َ meaning “hard (of hands)” (Harding 1971, 340) or it could be related to Akkadian šūtānu (cf. OSI, 103). ŠYBʾ, *+DT. One-word name. “Grey-haired, aged man”.

Masc., undated: probably 2nd half of 2nd century CE, OSI As24:2 (D40). RʿY br ŠYBʾ

The personal name ŠYBʾ is related to ‫ܒ‬hRܶ in Syr. and ‫ب‬ َ ‫ َﺷﺎ‬in Arab. “to become grey-haired, grow aged”. It may be compared with the Arab. personal name ŠYB/ŠB, ‫ﺷْﯿﺐ‬ َ ,‫ ﺷﺐ‬and ŠYBT ‫َﺷْﯿَﺒﺔ‬ (Ibn Doreid 1854, 8, 300; Ryckmans 1934, I, 208; Littmann 1943a, 344; Harding 1971, 363; Caskel 1966, 523), and tribal names, ʾŠYB ‫أْﺷَﯿﺐ‬, and ŠYBN ‫( ﺷﯿﺒﻦ‬Ryckmans 1934, I, 318). The

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

119

variant name ŠYBY occurs in Palm. (Stark 1971, 51, 114), ŠYBW in Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 149; Negev 1991, 63). ŠYLʾ, *MGDT. “One-word name. “Asked for”.

1.Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As47:7, 8 (D5). ŠYLʾ br ŠYLʾ glp

2.Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As52:3 (D10). MLʾ [b]r ŠYLʾ

3. Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As27:1, 2 (D14). b[r] ŠYLʾ. ʿbd ŠYLʾ ṣlmʾ lSYN ʾLHʾ

4. Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As43:2 (D68). hnʾ ṣlmʾ dʿbd ….]N[..] br ŠYLʾ

5. Masc., undated, OSI Add 3:7, 8. ŠYLʾ br ŠYLʾ glp

6. Masc., undated, OSI Add 4:3. dyrʾ dmkr ŠYLʾ

The name ŠYLʾ is the Syriac pass. part. peʿal from the root ‫ܠ‬hTܶ (*GܳFhTܺ) “to ask”. The Ᾱlaph, not pronounced even in classical Syriac, is omitted (al-Jadir 1983, 1.3 c, 239). ŠYLʾ appears as Ʃίλας in the New Testament (Acts 15:22; 16:19; Bauer 1957, 758) and is represented in the Peshitta as *GܳDTܺ, *GܳTܶ (Jennings 1964, 221; Costaz 1963, 419; Vattioni 1971, 446). This name is, however, related to the Arab. names SʾL ‫( ﺳﺎل‬Ryckmans 1934, I, 145; Littmann 1943a, 330; Harding 1971, 307; Winnett 1957, 195) and MSʾL ‫( ﻣﺴﺎل‬littmann 1943a, 325). The name ŠʾYLʾ is found in Palm. (Cooke 1903, 283; Stark 1971,

120

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC 50, 113), but the medial ʾ is retained. The name ŠYLʾ appears also in Hat. (Hatra 463:1, 464:1; al-Jubouri 2010b, 39,40; Marcato 2018, 123). The variant name ŠYLT? occurs in Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 149; Negev 1991, 63), ŠʾL ‫ שאל‬and ŠʾWL ‫ שאול‬in Heb. (Ezra 10:29; 1 Samuel 9:2, 3, 5; Noth 1980, 136, 209, 216).

ŠLWM, ‫ܡ‬,GT. One-word name, “Peace, safe, completeness”.

Fem. undated, Önal et al. 2013, p. 15. no.7; Rumscheid 2013, 109-32. ŠLWM brt BRNBW

This name is used for both male and female. ŠLWM occurs in Palm. and is regarded as a Jewish name (Stark 1971, 51, 114). The male personal name SLLWM, ‫ﺳّﻠﻮم‬ َ is known in Arab. Various forms relating to the name ŠLWM are found also in Palm., Nab. and Hat. (Stark 1971, 51-2, 114; Negev 1991, 64; Abbadi 1983, 51, 168). The male name ŠLWM, ‫ שלום‬is well paralleled in Heb. (e.g. 2 Kings 15:10, 13, 14, 15). As a female name ŠLWM is very common in Jewish tradition (Ilan, I, 249-53; II, 189-90; IV, 142-3). The female perܽ sonal name ‫ܡ‬,GTܳ is attested in the New Testament (Mark 15:40; 16:1). For parallels in Arab. see: Ryckmans 1932, I, 150-51; Littmann 1943a, 331-2). ŠLLTʾ90, 76GGT. Uncertain.

Fem., undated: probably around 180 CE, M. Önal and A. Desreumaux 2019, 246, L.1. dkyrʾ ŠLLTʾ brt B[…..]

This female name could be related to the name ŠYLT? in Nab. or in Arab. ŠLLT (Negev 1991, 63, see also ŠYLʾ above).

For the different readings of this name see Önal and Desremaux 2019, 246-7. 90

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

121

ŠLM, [GT. See under ŠLWM and ŠLMN.

Masc., dated 240 CE, P. Euphr. 18:v3 (OSI P2). ŠLM br BRʿTʾ

ŠLMN, QOGT. One-word name. “Complete, safe”.

1. Masc., undated: probably 3rd century CE, OSI As5:3 (D39). ŠLMN br KWKB

2. Masc., dated 242 CE, P. Euphr. 18:iii, 8 (OSI P2) ŠʿYDW br ŠLMN

ܶ The name ŠLMN91 is to be derived from the root [GT, Arab. ‫ﺳِﻠَﻢ‬ َ to be complete, safe”, (common Semitic) (Huffmon, 1965, 24647). This name is connected with the Arb. SLMN ‫ ﺳﻠﻤﻦ‬which is very common (Ibn Doreid 1854, 120; Ryckmans 1934, I, 150, 306; Littmann 1943a, 331-332; Harding 1971, 326; Caskel 1966, 509; Makyash 2002, 283). ŠLMN is frequently found in Palm. (for discussion and parallels see Ingholt 1955, 178; Stark 1971, 51, 114; Cook, 1898, 114; Cooke 1903, 299) and occurs likewise in Nab.,Hat., and Heb. (Cantineau 1932, II,151; alKhraysheh 1986, 176-77; Negev 1991, 64; Hatra 130:1; 235:2; 315:2; 443:1; Abbadi 1980, 51, 165; Beyer 1998, 166; Marcato 2018, 124-25; Hosea 10:14; Noth 1980, 258). It may be noted that the hypocoristic forms ŠLMʾ and ŠLMY were borne by Christians (Harrak 1992, 320). ŠLMSYN, QD8OGT. Genitive compound. “Safety (given by) SYN”.

Masc., dated 249 CE, P. Euphr. 6:36; 7:33; 242 CE, P. Euphr. 19:6 (OSI P3).

The N at the end of this name may, as in Arabic, express a continuous state. The form ŠLMN may be considered a divine name used also as a personal name (Huffmon 1965, 247; Ingholt 1955, 178; Stark 1971, 114; Caquot 1962, 253-54. See also BRŠLMʾ above). 91

122

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC ʾWRLS ŠLMSYN

BRʿTʾ br ŠLMSYN

ܶ This name is formed from ŠLM, derived from the root [GT, Arab. ‫“ ﺳِﻠﻢ‬to be completed, safe” plus the divine name SYN. (For the attestation of ŠLM as a part of personal names see ŠLMʿTʾ). ŠLMʿTʾ, 76^OGT. Genitive compound. “Safty (given by) ʿTʾ.

Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am5:12 (D48). ʾDWNʾ br GBY br ŠLMʿTʾ

The name is composed of ŠLM92 plus the divine name ʿTʾ. For the first element ŠLM see under ŠLMN. The parallel names SLMʾL ‫( ﺳﻠﻤﺎل‬Littmann 1943a, 332; Harahshah 2010, no. 210), SLMLH ‫( ﺳﻠﻤﻠﮫ‬Ryckmans 1934, I, 239) are found in Arab., ŠLMLT in Palm. and Nab. (Ingholt 1955, 178; Stark 1971, 51, 114; Cantineau (Numbers 1:6; 2:12, etc.; Jeremiah 36:14). ŠLMT, 6OGT. One-word name. “Completeness/safety”.

1.Fem., undated: probably 1st half of 3rd century CE, OSI As1:6 (D27). ŠLMT mlktʾ brt MʿNW pṣgrybʾ

2. Fem., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am2:14 (D45). ŠLMT

3. Fem., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am3:2, 17 (D46). ŠLMT brt GWSY

ŠLM[T] ʾm[h] dʾNY

92

For the attestation of ŠLM in theophoric names see Caquot 1962, 247.

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

123

4. Fem., undated: probably early 3rd century CE, OSI Am4:3 (D47). ŠLMT brt MʿNW

5. Fem., undated: probably 2nd half of 3rd century CE, OSI Cs3:1 (D56). ṣlmʾ dŠLMT brt MRWNʾ

For the root meaning see under ŠLMN. The name ŠLMT is found in the Doctrine of Addai (Phillips 1876, ‫ܛ‬: 5; @F: 9) and is connected with the fem. form of the Arab. personal name SLMH ‫ﺳﻠﻤﮫ‬, SLMT ‫( ﺳﻠﻤﺔ‬Ryckmans 1934, I, 150; Harding 1971, 326). Both names are very common in modern Arab. The form SLMT ‫ﺳَﻠَﻤﺔ‬ َ was also used as masculine personal name in Arab. (Ryckmans 1934, I, 150; Caskel 1966, 507). The name ŠLMT is attested in Palm. (Stark 1971, 52, 114), ŠLMT, ŠLYMT in Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 151; Cook 1898, 113; al-Khraysheh 1986, 177; Negev 1991, 64). ŠLMT in OSI As1:6 (D27) may well have been the wife of king Abgar of Edessa known to history as Abgar the Great, who ruled from 176 to 211 CE (OSI, 136). ŠMʾ, *MOT. Uncertain.

Masc. dated 242 CE, P. Euph. 19:ii, iii, 7, 9, 22 (OSI P3). TMRQS br ŠMʾ ŠMʾ ʾbwhy

(ii, 7, 9, 22) (iii)

ŠMʾ could be a hypocoristic form of the Jewish name ŠMWʾL (Samuel) “name of ʾL or his name is ʾL” which is the name of a prophet in the Old Testament (1 Samuel 1:20) and in the New Testament (Acts 3:24). ŠMWʾL is a well-known name in Jewish tradition (Ilan, I, 215-17; II, 168-74; IV, 125-31). In Palm. the personal name ŠMWʾL is likewise attested (Stark 1971, 52, 115). Another possible meaning of ŠMʾ is to be connected with the personal name ŠM, first son of Noah (Genesis 5:32), or perhaps related to the name SMY “high, elevated (see under SMY). The variant form ŠMY is found in

124

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC Palm. (Stark 1971, 52, 115), ŠMW in Nab. and Hat. (Negev 1991, 65; Hatra 312:1; Marcato 2018, 125).

ŠMYŠW, ,NDOT. Uncertain.

Masc., dated 240 CE, P. Euphr. 18:ii, 7 (OSI P2). ʾBGR br ŠMYŠW

ŠMYŠW is probably a hypocoristic form of a theophoric name connecting with divine name ŠMŠ, or it may be an Arab. diminutive form (‫ )ﻓَُﻌﯿﻞ‬of the common noun ŠMŠ, “sun”, also found in a Hatran-Greek bilingual at Dura-Europos (Bertolino 2004, BA.H2.01, 48-9; Marcato 2018, 125, 146-7). ŠMNBRZ, ‫ܙ‬.+LOT. Uncertain.

Masc., dated 243 CE, P. Dura 28:8 (OSI P1; DP). MTRʿTʾ brt ŠMNBRZ br ʾBGR

A meaning and a suitable etymology for the name ŠMNBRZ is unknown. However, the first element ŠMN could be related to the divine name BʿLŠMYN or ŠMŠ. It may be also regarded that ŠMN is from Šemōnā/Šmwnʾ in early Syriac narratives. the element BRZ in this name is hard to identify, but it might be related to Iranian burz, as in names like Šābūr-burz or probably related to the Arab. ‫“ ﺑََﺮَز‬to become apparent”. ŠMNY, 4LOT. Hypocoristicon.

Masc., dated 243 CE, P. Dura 28:I, v1, v5 (OSI P1; DP). MTRʿTʾ brt ŠMNY

This is a hypocoristic of the name ŠMNBRZ mentioned above. This name indicates that both forms (ŠMNBRZ and ŠMNY) were used for the same person at the same time.

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

125

ŠMʿWN, ‫ܢ‬,^OT. Uncertain.

Masc., undated, OSI As59:6. ʾnʾ ŠMʿWN ʿbdt

This name is often found in Palm. and considered as a Jewish name (Stark 1971,53, 115). It also occurs in Nab. (Negev 1991, 65). This name may be related to the Arab. name SMʿN name of a building (Harding 1971, 329) from the root ‫ﺳِﻤﻊ‬ َ “to hear, listen to”93. The variant personal name ŠMʿNW/Y is found at Hatra might be a hypocoristic of ŠMʿNBW “NBW has heard” (Hatra 24b:1; Abbadi 1983, 51, 169; Beyer 1998, 166; Marcato 2018, 125). It seems also probable to connect the very common male name in the Jewish tradition ŠMʿWN, ‫( שמעון‬Ilan, I, 218-235; II, 174-81; IV, 131-36; Genesis 29:33; Jastrow 1903, 1600) with the Arab. noun ‫“ ِﺳْﻤٌﻊ‬offspring of hyena and wolf” (Ibn Manẓūr, vol. 8, 167, see also BDB, 1035). The name ‫ܢ‬,^ܽOTܶ is known from the Peshiṭta New Testament (see e.g. Luke 3:30) and also found in the Doctrine of Addai (Phillips 1876, ‫ܝ‬: 12; ,F: 19). ŠMŠGRM, ‫ܡ‬.-NOT. Verbal sentence with perfect. “ŠMŠ has decided”.

Masc., undated: probably 2nd/3rd century CE, OSI As2:4 (D28). ]dŠMŠGRM

This name is formed from the divine name ŠMŠ plus verb. The second element GRM is the perf. peʿal 3rd masc. sing. from the root ‫ܡ‬.: “to decide” (for discussion see under GRMW)94. The name ŠMŠGRM is the same as the Arab. name It is significant to mention that the tribal name ‫ ﺳﻤﻌﻲ‬which is attested in the South Arabic (Sabaean) inscriptions from Yemen could be connected with the name SMʿN and ŠMʿWN (for discussion see Makyash 2002, 49). However, ‫ שמעי‬as an adjective indicating tribal name is found in the Old Testament (Numbers 3:2; BDB, 1035). 94 For further discussion see Caquot 1962, 246-47. 93

126

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC ŠMSGRM ‫( ﺷﻤﺴﺠﺮم‬Harding 1971, 358). It is also found in the Doctrine of Addai (Phillips 1876, e.g. ‫ܐ‬: 11; @F: 10; eF: 17), in palm., Nab. and Hat. (Ingholt 1955, 171, 178; Stark 1971, 53, 115; Cook 1898, 116; Cantineau 1932, II, 152; alKhraysheh 1986, 179; Negev 1991, 65; Hatra 406:1; Beyer 1998, 166; Marcato 2018, 126).

ŠMŠYHB, ‫>ܒ‬DNOT. Verbal sentence with perfect. “ŠMŠ has given”.

1. Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century CE, OSI As60:2. LŠMŠ br ŠMŠYHB

2. Masc., dated 243 CE, P. Dura 28:21, v2 (OSI P1; DP). ŠMŠYHB br ḤPSY

The name ŠMŠYHB is formed from the divine name ŠMŠ plus the verb YHB (see NŠRYHB). The name ŠMŠYHB appears in Hat. (Hatra e.g. 152:1; 221:3; 232c:1 etc.; Abbadi 1983, 52, 170; Beyer 1998, 167; Marcato 2018, 127). Other personal names with the element YHB are also found in Hat.: YHBLHʾ, YHBRMRYN, YHBŠ, YHBŠMŠ, YHYBW, GDYHB, MRNYHB, NŠRYHB (Abbadi 1983, 12-3, 95, 22-3, 29-30, 114-5, 131; Marcato 2018,70-1, 82, 87-8). The personal names BLYHB and YHYBʾ appear in palm. (Stark 1971, 10, 25, 76, 91). ŠMŠʿQB, ]J^NOT. Verbal sentence with perfect. “ŠMŠ has protected”. Masc., dated 240 CE, P. Euphr. 18:v, 10, 16 (OSI P2). BʿYŠW br ŠMŠʿQB

This name is composed from the divine name ŠMŠ and perf. peʿal 3rd masc. sing. of ʿQB (meaning in Ethiopic is: “keep, guard”, BDB, 784). For the verb ʿQB see ʾTʿQB in Stark 1971, 73 and also Beyer 1998, 182. The name ŠMŠʿQB (cf. ʿQYBʾ above) is frequently attested in Hat. (Hatra e.g. 10:1; 147:1; 152:1 etc. Several names with the element ʿQB are also found

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

127

in Hat. (e.g. NŠRʿQB, ʿQBSMYʾ, ʿQBŠMʾ, Abbadi 1983, 30 ,45, 53, 131, 154, 171; Marcato 2018, 88, 109-11, 128, 149). The type of divine name plus ʿQB occurs in Palm. e.g. ʾTʿQB, BLʿQB (Stark 1971, 7, 10, 73, 77). The variant personal names ʿQBŠMʾ, ʿQ[Y]BŠM[ʾ] and ʿQŠMʾ are attested in Aramaic inscriptios from Assur (Aggoula 1985, 10; 27i:2; 29j:2; 6b:3; 19:4; 26:3; 27b:2, k; 28h:6). ŠʿYDW, ‫ܘ‬/D^T. Uncertain.

Masc., dated 240 CE, P. Euphr. 18:iii, vi, 8, 12, 13, 16, 21 (OSI P2). ŠʿYDW br ŠLMN ŠʿYDW mry

(iii, 8).

(vi, 12, 13, 16, 21).

There are two possible explanations for the name ŠʿYDW: 1.

It may be a diminutive Arab. form ‫ﺳَﻌﯿْﺪ‬ ُ (‫ )ﻓَُﻌﯿْﻞ‬from the name ‫ﺳْﻌﺪ‬ “good luck”. َ

2.

It may be an Arab. pass. part. form from the root ‫ﺳِﻌﺪ‬ َ “to be happy”.

Both names ‫ﺳِﻌﯿﺪ‬ ُ are often found in Arab. (Ryckَ and ‫ﺳَﻌﯿﺪ‬ mans 1934, I,307; Littmann 1943a, 332; Harahshah 2010, nos. 122, 207). The personal name ‫ﺳِﻌﯿﺪ‬ َ is very popular nowadays in Arab world. The variant form ŠʿYDN occurs in Palm. (Stark 1971, 53, 115) SʿYDW in Nab. (Cantineau 1934, II, 153; Negev 1991, 66; al-Khraysheh 1986, 181-2), ŠʿDW in Hat. (Hatra 222:1; Abbadi 1983, 53, 172; Marcato 2018, 129). ŠQY, 4JT. One-word name. “Water-carrier”.

Masc., undated, probably from 3rd century CE, Teixidor 1998a, L. 9. ŠQY br ZKYʾ

128

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC This personal name is connected to the Syriac form 4JܳTܰ “water-carrier, irrigator” derived from the root *JT “to give (someone) to drink, irrigate”. It is also related to Arab. ‫ﺳﺎﻗﻲ‬ “a cup carrier” from the root ‫ﺳﻘَﻰ‬ َ “to give (someone) to drink, irrigate” (Ibn Manẓūr, vol. 14, 392). The personal name ŠQYʾ is found in Nab. (Cantineau 1932, II, 153; Negev 1991, 66).

…..]Tʾ, 7‫…[ ܬ‬.. Incomplete name.

Masc., undated, OSI As23:3 (D38). BRʿTʾ [b]r ….]Tʾ

The letters … Tʾ represent the end of a personal name. This could be a theophoric name compound with the divine name ʿTʾ (cf. ʿBDʿTʾ above). TʾPWLQṬʾ, *UJ=,V‫ܬܐ‬. Theophylactos. Greek name.

Masc., undated: probably 3rd century CE, OSI As10:3, 67 (D55 I-II). YWḤNN ʾyg[mwnʾ] br TʾPWLQṬʾ TʾPWLQṬʾ brʾ dylhwn

TWMʾ, *M?‫ܬܘ‬. One-word name. “Twin”.

Masc., undated: probably 2nd half of 3rd century CE, OSI As11:4 (D55 I-II). bnth d[……] TWMʾ

This personal name is derived from the Semitic root TʾM, “twin”, Syr. *?ܳ‫( ܳܬܐ‬also rarely *?ܳ‫)ܳܬ‬. The name TWMʾ is more closely connected with the Arab. name form TʾM pronounced ‫( ﺗَْﻮأم‬Ibn Doreid 1854, 206; Ryckmans 1934, I, 213; Littmann 1943a, 346; Winnett 1957, 148; Caskel 1966, 545; Harding 1971, 127). The personal name *?ܰ‫ܳܬܐܘ‬, Thomas, is also found in the New Testament (Matthew 10:3; John 14:5; 20:24; 21:2) and TʾM in Ph. (Benz 1972, 427).

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

129

TḤNY, 4LX‫ܬ‬. Hypocoristicon. “(Divine name) gives mercy”.

Masc., undated: probably early 3rd century CE. OSI Cm14:3. TḤNY br BRʿTʾ

The name TḤNY is a hypocoristic of the name of a goddess with the ending Y. TḤN (tḥwn ‫ܢ‬,Xܽ‫)ܶܬ‬, verb imperf. peʿal 3rd fem. sing. of the root ḤNN Syr. QXܰ , Arab. ‫“ ﺣﱠﻦ‬to be gracious, have mercy” (cf. YWḤNN above). Variant personal names with the element ḤN/ḤNN e.g. ḤNʾ, ḤNBL, ḤNYNʾ are found in Palm., (Stark 1971, 23, 89), ḤNʾW, ḤNʾL, ḤNH, ḤNYNW in Nab. (Negev 1991, 30-1), ḤNʾ, ḤNYNʾ, ḤNNʾ, ḤNŠMŠ in Hat. (Abbadi 1983, 20-1, 110-12; Beyer 1998, 159) ḤN, ḤNʾL, ḤNY in Arab. (Littmann 1943a, 315), ḤN ‫חן‬, ḤNN ‫חנן‬, ḤNNʾL ‫חננאל‬, ḤNNYHW ‫ חנניהו‬in Heb. (Zechariah 6:14; Ezra 2:46; Jeremiah 31:38; 36:12). TYMW, ,OF‫ܬ‬. Hypocoristicon. “Servant of (divine name)”.

Masc., dated (240 CE), P. Euphr.18:v, 10, v1, v5 (OSI P2). ŠMŠʿQB br TYMW BʿYŠW br TYMW

(v, 10)

(v1, v5)

The name is a hypocoristic of a theophoric name with the divine name elided. TYM “servant, enthralled by” is derived from the Arab. root TYM ‫“ ﺗَﯿْﻢ‬to enslave, enthral”. TYMʾ, TYMW and TYMY are well paralleled in Palm. (Stark 1971, 54-5, 117) and TYM, TYMW in Nab. (Negev 1991, 67-8; alKhraysheh 1986, 187). TYMW, TYMLY and TYMLT occur in Hat. (Hatra 214:1; 293:2; Beyer 1998, 167; Marcato 2018, 131-2). TYMW in Aram. of Tayma (al-Theeb 2007, 84, 157). In Arb. the forms TM (Harahsheh, 2010, nos. 157, 159 etc.; al-Theeb 2003a, 74), TYMSLM (al-Theeb 2003b, 72) and TYMT (Harahshah 2010, no.182) are found in Arab. The place name TYMʾ ‫ תימא‬is found in the Old Testament (Genesis 25:15; 1 Chronicles 1:30).

130

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

TYRDT, ‫ܕܬ‬.F‫ܬ‬. Persian name.

1. Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century, OSI As50:3 (D8). ʾDWNʾ br TYRDT

2. Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century, OSI As54:1 (D12); As27:4 (D14); dated 165 CE, As36:2 (D23). TYRDT br ʾDWNʾ

3. Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century, OSI As30:2 (D17). dkyr ʾDWNʾ wTYRDT wʾNʾ

4. Masc., undated: probably mid 2nd century, OSI As31:4 (D18). dkyr BBS wTYRDT

5. Masc., dated 165 CE, OSI As37:6 TYRDT šlyṭʾ

6.Masc., undated, OSI Add 3:3

h]nʾ ṣlmʾ dʿbd ..ʿ]BDMLK br BLBNʾ lTYRDT This name is attested in Palm. and Hat. (Stark 1971, 56, 117; Marcato 2018, 132). The Iranian name Tīridāt is known in early Syriac literature. A bishop in early Edessa is known by this name (Thes. Syr., 4429; Cureton 1967, ]?: 18). TYRW, ‫ܘ‬.F‫ܬ‬. Uncertain.

Masc., dated (243 CE), P. Dura 28:i, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18,20 (OSI P1; DP). TYRW br BʿŠʾ

(i)

TYRW zbwnʾ

(11, 13, 15, 18, 20)

TYRW br BRBʿŠMYN (8)

CHAPTER ONE. PERSONAL NAMES WITH ANALYSIS

131

This name would perhaps be a shortened form of the Persian personal name TYRDT which occurs often in Syriac inscriptions (Healey 2009, 269). See likewise under TYRDT above. TMRQWS/TMRQS, ‫ܣ‬,b.?‫ܬ‬/Cb.?‫ܬ‬. Timarqos. Greek name (Timarchos). Masc., dated 242 CE, P. Euphr. 19:ii, vi, 7, 13, 22 (OSI P3). TMRQWS br ŠMʾ

TMRQWS nhwʾ yhb

(ii, 7) (vi)

qblth mnh dTMRQWS (13) TMRQS br ŠMʾ

(22)

CONCLUSIONS REGARDING A FFINITIES OF THE NAMES

The forgoing analysis of the personal names in the Old Syriac inscriptions reveals substantial evidence concerning the ethnic composition of the population of Edessa and the surrounding areas during the period under consideration. The names may be treated with caution as a sample reflecting names among the general population, although these cannot be regarded as quite representative, since, for example, they are probably restricted to certain social strata, which may not be typical of the general population. The “sample” consists of 270 names, and after discarding the 46 unidentified ones (uncertain and incomplete names), the remaining 224 names may be classified according to their affinity with names among other populations in the area of that general period. The absolute numbers and the percentage distribution of the close affinities of the names emerge as follows: Affinities Arab. Palm. Nab. Hat. Later Syr. Heb. Others (incl. Nonwith à tradition Older Aram.) Sem. Absolute numbers Ratio

126

102

70

62

56% 46% 31% 28%

55

48

32

46

25%

21%

14%

21%

132

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

As shown in the table95 above, 126 (56%) of the names are found among, or closely related to, Arabic personal names. Many of these names, however, appear also in the other Semitic languages, particularly in Palm., Nab., Hat., and other forms of Aramaic. It is noteworthy that the names which are common among the inhabitants of Edessa, Hatra, Palmyra and Petra, i.e. among contemporary speakers of Aramaic dialects, constitute the overwhelming majority of the names in our list. The majority (56%) of the sampled inhabitants of the Edessa region have names known also among Arabs. Sources available tend to reflect the culture of the élite of society and it is quite possible that the ratio of Arabic names was higher among the inhabitants of rural and nomadic areas outside cities and towns within the region of Edessa. The fact that the personal names in the inscriptions (like those of Palm., Nab. and Hat.) show close connections with the Arab types of name, clearly confirms the historical conclusion that a large part of the population was Arab.

These ratios do not add up to 100%, because some names have affinities with several groups of names. 95

CHAPTER TWO. LEXICON OF PERSONAL NAMES This lexical section is an attempt to present as far as possible a list of the lexical elements in the Semitic personal names found in the Syriac inscriptions. The exclusion of comparative material from recent studies, which deal with the inscriptions, makes such a lexical list necessary. In the entries which follow we give the following information: 1. Semitic root in Latin and Syriac scripts. 2. The root meaning. 3. Comparative materials from other Semitic languages. 4. The personal names which are related to the root. ʾB, ‫ܐܒ‬. “Father”: common Semitic. ʾBʾ; ʾBSKʾ.

ʾGʾ, *:‫ܐ‬. “To flee”: Arab. ‫أﺟﺄ‬. ʾGʾ; ʾGY.

ʾDN, ‫ܐܕܢ‬. “Lord”: Palm. (ʾdth, fem. sing. + suff.); Heb. ‫ ;אדן‬Ph. ʾDN; Pun. ʾDN; Ug. ʾDN. ʾDWNʾ (diminutive form).

133

134

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

ʾWY, ‫ܐܘܝ‬. “To turn towards a place, seek refuge”: class. Syr. 7‫ܐܘ‬ ; Arab. ‫ ;أوى‬Heb. ‫אוה‬. ʾWY.

ܰ ; Arab. ‫ ;أَﻛﺮ‬Heb. ‫ ;אכר‬Ug. ʾKR, .I‫ܐ‬. “To plough, dig”: class Syr. .Iܰ‫ܐ‬ َ ʾKR. ʾKYR; ʾKRW.

ܰ ; Emp. Aram. ʾMH; ʾMT, 6?‫ܐ‬. “Maidservant”: class. Syr. 6?ܰ‫ܐ‬ Arab. ‫ ;أَﻣﺔ‬Heb. ‫ ;אמה‬Ph. *ʾMH (ʾmt, constr. sing.); Pun. *ʾMH (ʾmt, abs. sing); Ug. ʾMT. ʾMʾ; ʾMŠMŠ; (ʾ)MTBYN; ʾMTNḤY; (ʾ)MTSYN; (ʾ)MTʿZT; (ʾ)MTʿTʾ; (ʾ)MTRʿTʾ; (ʾ)MTŠRʾ.

ʾNY, 42‫ܐ‬. “To be patient with”: Arab. ‫ﻲ‬ َ ِ‫أﻧ‬. ʾNʾ.

ʾNY, 42‫ܐ‬. “To draw near”: Arab. ‫ ;أﻧَﻰ‬Heb. ‫“ אנה‬to be opportune, meet, encounter opportunity”. ʾNY.

ʾS, ‫ܐܣ‬. “Gift”: Arab. ‫أْوس‬. ʾSW.

ܰ ܰ ; Anc. Aram. ʾRK; ʾRK, ‫ܐܪܟ‬. “To prolong, remain”: class. Syr. ‫ܐܪܟ‬ Emp. Aram. ʾRK; J. Aram. ʾRK; Hat. ʾRK (ʾrykʾ, emph. sing); Arab. ‫ ;أَرَك‬Heb. ‫ ;ארך‬Ph. ʾRK; Pun. ʾRK; Ug. ʾRK. ʾRKW.

ʾŠD, /T‫ܐ‬. “Lion”: Arab. ‫ﺳﺪ‬ َ ‫أ‬. ʾŠDW; ʾSDW.

CHAPTER TWO. LEXICON OF PERSONAL NAMES

135

BBS, C+). “Little boy, lad”: class. Syr. *Rܳ,+ܽ)ܳ. BBS.

BGR, .-). “To have a big belly”: Arab. ‫ﺑَِﺠَﺮ‬. ʾBGR. BKR, .9). “To rise early, bring forth early”: class. Syr. .9ܰ); Arab. ‫ ;ﺑََﻜَﺮ‬Heb. ‫בכר‬. BKR(W); BKRY.

BNʾ, *L). “to build”: common Semitic. Akk. “to creat, build”. BLBNʾ.

BL, g). “Lord”: class. Syr. g^ܶ); Anc. Aram. (bʿly, constr. plur.); Emp. Aram. BʿL; Palm. (bʿlh, sing + 3rd fem. sing. suff.); Nab. (bʿlh, sing + 3rd fem. sing. suff.); Ph. BʿL. BLSYN.

BR, .).“Son”: common Semitic1.

BSMYʾ; BʿYŠW; BRBSʾ; BRBʿŠʾ; BRBʿŠMYN; BRBʿŠMN; BRHDD; BRWNʾ (dimunitive form); BRZDQ; BRKLBʾ; BRKMRʾ; BRLHʾ; BRLY; BRMTʾ; BRMTY; BRNBW; BRNBS; BRNHR; BRNY; BRSGD; BRSMYʾ; BRʿMTʾ; BRʿŠY; BRʿTʾ; BRŠWMʾ; BRŠLMʾ; BRŠMʾ; BRŠMŠ.

It is assumed that BR < BN (for interchanges between N and R see Moscati 1969, § 8.26). See also BRT. 1

136

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

ܳ BRʾ, K.). “To be pure”: class. Syr. K.)ܰ “to leave out, omit, remove”; Arab. ‫“ ﺑَِﺮئ‬to be free from disease, be pure”; Heb. ‫ברר‬ “to purify”. BRʾ; BRYʾ.

BRHM, ‫ܗܡ‬.).“To stare, look fixedly”: Arab. ‫ﺑَْﺮھََﻢ‬. BRHM.

BRQ, ‫ܩ‬.). “Flash of light”: common Semitic. BRQʾ.

BRT, ‫ܬ‬.). “Daughter”: common Semitic.

BRTLHʾ; BTNNY; BTSMYʾ; BTŠLMʾ.

BT, 6). “House”: common Semitic. BTʾ.

GBʾ, *+:. “To collect”: class. Syr. *+ܳ:; Palm. GBʾ; Arab. ‫;َﺟﺒَﻰ‬ Heb. ‫( גבא‬New Heb. ‫גבי‬, ‫)גבה‬. GBY.

GMM, [O:. “It became much or abundant”: Arab. ‫َﺟّﻢ‬, Heb. ‫גמם‬. GMYMW (diminutive form).

ܰ Aphʿel); Emp. ܶ ‫ܐ‬ GN, Q:. “To protect, cover”: class. Syr. Q: (Q: Aram. *GNY ([y]gnwn, imperf. 3rd masc. plur. Paʿel/Aphʿel); Palm. *GNN (ʾgn, Aphʿel); Arab. ‫ ;َﺟﱠﻦ‬J. Aram. GNN; Heb. ‫;גנן‬ Pun. *GNN (ygn, perf. 3rd masc. sing. Yiphʿil). GNW.

CHAPTER TWO. LEXICON OF PERSONAL NAMES

137

ܰ “garden”, fem.; Emp. GNY 4L:. “Fresh fruit”: class. Syr. 76ܳL: Aram. *GN (gn, abs. sing.); Palm. *GN (gnyʾ, plur. emph.) Nab. *GN (gnyʾ, plur. emph.); Arab. ‫“ َﺟﻨْﻲ‬fresh fruit”; Heb. ‫גן‬, ‫גנה‬. GʿL, g^:. “Black beetle”: Arab. ‫ُﺟَﻌﻞ‬. GʿL.

ܰ GRM ,‫ܡ‬.:. “To cut off, decide”: class. Syr. ‫ܡ‬.:; Arab. ‫ ;َﺟَﺮَم‬Heb. ‫גרם‬. GRMW; ŠMŠGRM.

DN, ‫ܕܢ‬. “To judge”: common Semitic.

DYNWN (diminutive form); DYNY; MLKDN.

DRD, ‫ܕܪܕ‬. “To become toothless”: Arab. َ‫دَِرد‬. DRDW.

WʾL, ‫ܘܐܠ‬. “To take refuge”: class. Syr. *=ܳ‫( ܶܘܐ‬n. fem.) “a veil, covering”; Arab. ‫َوأَل‬. WʾL.

WRD, ‫ܘܪܕ‬.“Rose”: class. Syr. K‫ ;ܰܘܪܳܕ‬Arab. ‫“ َوْرد‬rose” or ” tawny”. WRDW.

ZBD, /)‫ܙ‬. “To endow, give a gift”: class Syr. /)ܰ‫ ;ܙ‬Arab. َ‫ ;َزﺑَﺪ‬Heb. ‫זבד‬. ZBDʿTʾ.

ZD, ‫ܙܕ‬.“To increase, exceed”: class. Syr. ‫ ܰܙܶܘܕ‬paʿel, “to supply with provision (for journey); Anc. Aram. ZD “presumptuous”;

138

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC Arab. َ‫ ;َزاد‬Heb. ‫זיד‬, ‫“ זוד‬to boil up, act proudly, presumptuous”. ZYDLT.

ZDQ, ‫ܙܕܩ‬. “To acknowledge as just, speak the truth”: class. Syr. ‫;ܰܙܶܕܩ‬ Emp. Aram. ṢDQ; Palm. *ṢDQ (zdqt[ʾ], emph. fem. sing); J. Aram. *ṢDQ (ṣdyqyh emph. masc. plur.); Nab. ṢDQH, (ṣdqt, constr. sing. “righteousness”); Hat. ZDQ; Arab. ‫ق‬ َ َ‫ﺻﺪ‬ َ ; Heb. ‫ ;צדק‬Ph. ṢDQ. BRZDQʾ.

ZK, ‫ ܙܟ‬. “To be or become pure”: class. Syr. *Iܳ‫ܕ‬, 4Iܺ‫ ; ܕ‬Emp. Aram. *ZKY; Palm. *ZKY (dkn, abs. masc. plur.); Hat. *ZKY (zkyʾ, emph. masc. sing.); Arab. ‫َزَﻛﺎ‬, ‫ ; ذََﻛﺎ‬Heb. ‫ ;זכה‬Pun. *ZKY (zkʾ, abs. fem. sing.). ZKY; ZKYʾ.

ZʿR, .0‫ܙ‬. “To become small, or few”: class. Syr. .0ܰ‫ ;ܙ‬Emp. Aram. ZʿR; Palm. *ZʿR (zʿyr, abs. sing. masc.); Nab. *ZʿR (zʿyrʾ, emph. masc. sing.); J. Aram. *ZʿR (zʿrʾ, emph. sing.); Arb. ‫ﺻُﻐَﺮ‬ َ ; Heb. ‫צער‬. ZʿWRTʾ.

ḤWʾ, 7,X. “To show, declare”: class. Syr. 7,X (paʿel ‫ܝ‬,ܺXܰ); Emp. Aram. ḤWY (paʿel); B. Aram. ḤWH (paʿel and Haphʿel); Hat. ḤWY (paʿel); Heb. ‫( חוה‬only piʿel). ḤWYʾ.

ḤZʾ, 7@X. “To see”: common Semitic. ḤLḤʾ.

CHAPTER TWO. LEXICON OF PERSONAL NAMES

139

ܺ ḤLY, 4GX.“To be sweet”: class. Syr. 4GX; Emp. Aram. ḤLY; Arab. ‫َﺣِﻠﻲ‬, ‫ ;َﺣَﻼ‬Heb. ‫חלה‬. ḤLWYʾ. ܶ ḤLP, rGX. “To succeed”: class. Syr. rGXܰ; Anc. Aram. ḤLP; Emp. Aram. ḤLP; J. Aram. ḤLP; Arab. ‫ﻒ‬ َ ‫ ;َﺧَﻠ‬Heb. ‫ ;חלף‬Ph. ḤLP. ḤLWPʾ.

ḤMṬ, sOX . “To be quick, hasten”2: Assyrian ḥamāṭu. ḤMṬWṬʾ.

ḤNN,QX. “To show favour, be gracious”: common Semitic. YWḤNN; TḤNY.

ḤPS, ClX. “Small house, or tent”: Arab. ‫ﺶ‬ ٌ ْ‫َﺣﻔ‬, ‫ﺶ‬ ٌ ْ‫ِﺣﻔ‬, ‫ﺶ‬ ٌ َ‫َﺣﻔ‬. ḤPSY.

ḤŠ, PX. “To dig for water”: Arab. ‫ﺴﺎ‬ َ ‫َﺣ‬. ḤŠʾ; ḤŠY.

ḤTʾ, 76X. “sister”: common Simitic. ḤTʾ.

YD, /F. “Hand”: common Semitic. ʾDY (diminutive form).

َ ‫ َﺧَﻤ‬means It is noteworthy that in the Iraqi colloquial dialect, ḥamaṭa ‫ﻂ‬ “to grab, snatch”. 2

140

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

̄ Fܰ ; Anc. Aram. YHB; YHB, ‫>ܒ‬F. “To give, offer”: class. Syr. ‫ܰ>ܒ‬Fܺ , ‫>ܒ‬ Emp. Aram. YHB; Palm. YHB; Nab. YHB; Hat. YHB; J. Aram. YHB; Arab. ‫ﺐ‬ َ َ‫ ;َوھ‬Heb. ‫יהב‬. HYBʾ; MWHB; NŠRYHB; ŠMŠYHB

YTR, ‫ܪ‬6F. “To remain over, be left over”: class. Syr. ‫ܪ‬6ܰFܺ ; Anc. Aram. *YTR (hwtr, Haphʿel perf. 3rd sing. masc.) Emp. Aram. *YTR (hwtyr, Haphʿel/Aphʿel perf. 3rd masc. sing.); Palm. *YTR (ytyr, abs. masc. sing. “exceeding”); J. Aram.*YTR (ytyr abs. masc. sing); Heb. ‫ ;יתר‬Ph. YTR. MWTRW.

KWZ, ‫ܙ‬,I. “A narrow-necked vessel”: class. Syr. ‫ܙ‬,Iܽ; Nab. KWZ; Arab. ‫ُﻛﻮٌز‬. BRKWZʾ.

KKB, ]9I. “star”: class. Syr. ]Iܰ,Iܰ; Emp. Aram. *KKB ([k]wkb[y], constr. masc. plur.); Arab. ‫ﺐ‬ ٌ ‫ ;َﻛﻮَﻛ‬Heb. ‫ ;כוכב‬Pun. *KKB (kkbm, abs. masc. plur.); J. Aram. KWKB; Ug. KBKB. KWKB.

KLB, ]GI. “Dog”: common Semitic. BRKLBʾ; KLBʾ.

ܳ KMR, .OI. “Priest”: class, Syr. K.?,Iܽ; Emp. Aram. KMR; Palm. *KMR (kmry, constr., masc. plur.); Nab. KMR; Hat. KMR; Heb. ‫ ;כמר‬Ph. KMR; Pun. *KMR (constr., masc. plur.). BRKMRʾ.

KN, QI. “Firm, faithful”: Akk. kīnum. SRKN.

CHAPTER TWO. LEXICON OF PERSONAL NAMES

141

L, ‫ܠ‬. “For, to” (preposition): common Semitic. LŠMŠ.

MGD, /-?. “Glory”: palm. MGD, “liberal, generous”; Arab. ٌ‫;َﻣْﺠﺪ‬ Heb. ‫“ מגד‬excellence”. MGDL.

MK, n?. “To lie down flat, prostrate oneself”: class. Syr. n?ܰ, n?ܳ or n9ܶ?; Heb. ‫“ מכך‬to be low”. MKYL.

MLʾ, *MG? . “to fill”: common Semitic. MLʾ.

3 ܶ MLʾ, *MG?. “To prolong”: class. Syr. *G? ; Arab. ‫َﻣﻼ‬.

MLY.

MSʾ, *8?. “Evening”: Arab. ‫ﺴﻰ‬ ّ ‫َﻣ‬ َ ‫“ أْﻣ‬to enter into evening” or ‫ﺴﻰ‬ “to wish (someone) a good evening). MSʾ; MŠY.

MʿN, Q^?. “Little, small”: Arab. ‫ َﻣْﻌٌﻦ‬. MʿNʾ; MʿNW.

ܶ The word *G? with nouns of time and space expresses limitation e.g. ܶ ܳ ܰ 76?‫* ܐ‬G? “a cubit long” (Compendious, 274). 3

142

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

ܶ MRʾ, K.?. “lord”: class. Syr. K.?ܳ; Anc. Aram. MRʾ; Emp. Aram. MRʾ; B. Aram. MRʾ; J. Aram. *MRʾ (mryʾ, emph. masc. sing.); Palm. MRʾ; Nab. MRʾ; Hat. MRʾ; Arab. ‫“ َﻣْﺮٌء‬man”; Ug. MRʾ. MRWNʾ (diminutive form).

‫َﻣ ﱠ‬. MTT, ‫ܬ‬6?. “To be related”: Arab. ‫ﺖ‬ BRMTʾ; BRMTY; MTY.

SGD, /-R. “To bow down, worship, prostrate oneself in prayer”: class. Syr. /-ܶR; Emp. Aram. *SGD (sgd[t], perf. 1st sing.); Arab. َ‫ﺳَﺠﺪ‬ َ ; Heb. ‫סגד‬. BRSGD.

SK, nR. “To be deaf, or have small ears”: Arab. ‫ﺳﱠﻚ‬ َ ; Heb.‫“ שכך‬to decrease, abate”. ʾBSKʾ.

SMW, ,OR. “To rise high”; Arab. ‫ﺳَﻤﺎ‬ َ ; Heb. ‫שמה‬. SMY.

SR, .R. “king”: Akk. “šarrum”. SRKN.

ʿBD, /+0. “servant”: common Semitic.

ʿBDBY; ʿBDWK ʿBDY; ʿBDLT; [ʿ ]BDMLK; ʿBDNW; ʿBDNḤY; ʿBDŠWK; ʿBDŠMŠ; ʿBYDʾL (ʿBYD: diminutive form); ʿBSMYʾ; ʿBŠLM; ʿBŠLMʾ; ʾBDW; ʾBDNḤY; ʾBDʿTʾ.

ʿBŠ, P+0 . “Frown, look sternly”: Arab. ‫ﺲ‬ َ ; Heb. ‫“ עבש‬to shrivel”. َ َ‫ﻋﺒ‬ ʿBŠʾ; ʿBŠY.

CHAPTER TWO. LEXICON OF PERSONAL NAMES

143

ʿWD, ‫ܕ‬,0.“To take or seek refuge”: Arb. ‫ ;ﻋﻮذ‬Heb.‫עוז‬. ʿWYDLT; ʿWYTʾ.

ʿWN, ‫ܢ‬,0. “to help, support”: Arab. ‫ ;ﻋﻮن‬Heb. ‫“ עון‬to dwell”. MʿYNW.

ʿWT, ‫ܬ‬,0. “To help”: Arab. ‫ ;ﻏﻮث‬Heb. ‫ עות‬,‫עוש‬ MʿTʾ.

ʿZ, @0. “To be strong”: class. Syr. @0ܰ; Anc. Aram. ʿZZ; Emp. Aram. ʿZZ; Arab. ‫ﻋﱠﺰ‬ َ ; Heb. ‫ ;עזז‬Ph. ʿZ; Pun. ʿZZ; Ug. ʿZ. ʿZʾL.

ʿY, 40. “Stammerer”: Arab. ‫ﻲ‬ َ ,‫ﻲ‬ َ . ٌ ‫ﻋ‬ ٌ ِ‫ﻋﯿ‬ ʿYW; ʾYW.

ʿLY, 4G0. “To be high, go up”: common Semitic. ʿLBL.

ʿMY, 4O0. “To be blind”: class. Syr. *MO0; Arab. ‫ﻋﻤﻲ‬ MʿMY.

ٌ ‫ﻋِﻤﯿـ‬ ʿMT, 6O0. “To be brave, intelligent”: Arab. ‫ﺖ‬ َ . BRʿMTʾ.

ʿQB, ]J0. “To keep, guard, protect”: Ethiopic ʿQB. ŠMŠʿQB.

144

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

ʿQRB, ‫ܒ‬.J0. “Scorpion”: common Semitic. ʿQRB.

ʿŠʾ, *N0.“Evening”, “to be dark”. Arab. ‫ﻋِﺸﻲ‬ َ . BRʿŠY.

PTḤ, ‫ܚ‬6V. “to have a weakness in the finger”: Arab., ‫ﻓَﺘْﺦ‬, ‫( أﻓْﺘَﺦ‬Afʿal form). ʾPTWḤʾ.

QWM, QM, ‫ܡ‬,b, [b.“To arise, stand”: common Semitic, except Akk. MQYMW; MQMY; QYMY.

QṢW/QṢY, ‫ܘ‬qb/ ‫ܝ‬qb. “Remoteness”: class. Syr. qbܶ; “end, cutting off”; Arab. ‫ﺼﺎ‬ َ َ‫“ ﻗ‬to be far away”; Heb. ‫“ קצה‬end, extremity”; Ph. QṢY. QṢT.

QŠY, Pb. “To be hard”: class. Syr. *Nܳb (paʿel 4Nܺbܰ “to harden, stiffen”); Emp. Aram. QŠH (“difficult, hard”, adj. abs. masc. sing.); Arb. ‫ ;ﻗَِﺴﻲ‬Heb. ‫קשה‬. QŠYʾ.

RB, ‫ܪܒ‬. “Lord, chief”: common Semitic. RBY; RBYTʾ.

RḤB, ]X‫ܪ‬. “To be large, wide”: Arab. ‫ﺐ‬ َ ‫ ;َرُﺣ‬Heb. ‫ ;רחב‬Ph. RḤB rd (yrḥb, perf .3 masc. sing. Yiphʿil); Anc. Aram. *RḤB (rḥbh, abs. sing. “open land”). RḤBW.

CHAPTER TWO. LEXICON OF PERSONAL NAMES

145

ܳ RWM, ‫ܪܘܡ‬. “To be high, exalted”: class. Syr. ‫ ;ܪܡ‬Anc. Aram. *RWM rd (hrmw, Aphʿel perf. 3 masc. plur.); Emp. Aram. *RWM (ytrwm, imperf. 3rd masc. sing. Itpaʿal/Itpeʿel); J. Aram. *RWM (mrwmh, paʿel pass. part. emph. masc. sing.); B. Aram. RWM; Heb. ‫רום‬. RWMʾ; RMʾ.

RMY, 4?‫ܪ‬. “To cast, throw”: common Semitic. RMY.

RʿY, 40‫ܪ‬. “To be content, pleased, willing”: common Semitic except Akk. RʿY.

ܶ T; Emp. Aram. ŠʾL; B. Aram. ŠʾL; ŠʾL, ‫ܠ‬hT. “To ask”: class. Syr. ‫ܠ‬h Nab. ŠʾL; Arab. ‫ﺳﺄَل‬ َ ; Heb. ‫שאל‬. ŠYLʾ. ŠDD, ‫ܕ‬/T. “To be powerful in war” or “to draw”: Arab. ‫ﺷﺪﱠ‬ َ ; Heb. ‫“ שדד‬to harrow/ deal violently with”; Akk. šadādu “to draw, drag”. ŠDDW; ŠDDWNḤʾ.

ŠWM, ‫ܡ‬,T.“To pasture”: Arab. ‫ﺳﺎَم‬ َ . BRŠWMʾ; ŠWMW.

ܳ ŠWR, ‫ܪ‬,T..“Stronghold, a city wall, fortification”: class. Syr. K‫ܪ‬,Tܽ; Anc. Aram. ŠR; Emp. Aram. *ŠR (šwr, abs. masc.sing.); Hat. *ŠR (šwrʾ, emph. masc. sing.); Arab. ‫ﺳﻮٌر‬ ُ . Heb. ‫שור‬. BLŠW(R).

146

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

ŠYB, ]DT. “To become grey haired, grow aged”: class. Syr. ‫ܒ‬hRܶ; Emp. Aram. *ŠYB (yš[y]b, imperf. 3rd masc. sing.); Palm. *SYB (sybw, abs.masc. sing.); Arab. ‫ ; ﺷﯿﺐ‬Heb. ‫שיב‬. ŠYBʾ.

ŠLM, [GT. “To be complete, safe”: common Semitic. ŠLWM; ŠLMN; ŠLMSYN; ŠLMʿTʾ; ŠLMT.

ŠQY, 4JT.“To give to drink, irrigate”: class. Syr. *JܳT; Emp. Aram. *ŠQY (hšqyʾ, Haphʿel inf.); J. Aram. *ŠQY (ʾšqynh, Aphʿel imperf. 1st sing with 3rd masc. sing. suff.); Palm. *ŠQY (šqʾ, abs. masc. sing.); Arab. ‫ ;ﺳﻘﻲ‬Heb. ‫שקה‬. ŠQY.

TʾM, ‫ܬܐܡ‬. “Twin”: class. Syr. *?ܳ‫ ;ܳܬܐ‬Arab. ‫ ;ﺗَْﻮأم‬Heb. ‫תאם‬. TWMʾ.

TYM, [F‫ܬ‬. “To enslave, enthral”: Arab. ‫ﺗَﯿٌْﻢ‬ TYMW.

CHAPTER THREE. DISCUSSION OF ASPECTS OF RELIGIOUS IMPLICATIONS IN PERSONAL NAMES The main ways from which one may form a picture of the cults and beliefs at Edessa and its immediate surroundings during the earlier times of the Christian era lie on the following:

a. Archaeological remains. b. Epigraphic materials (early Syriac inscriptions and parchments). c. Coins struck at Edessa which show iconography. d. Syriac Christian literary sources containing information on pagan cults (Drijvers 1983, 19-39).

Our main interest here is in epigraphic material. Several divine names are mentioned in the texts. In addition, divine elements are frequently, as has been seen, included in personal names and these reflect the deities worshipped by the people. The meaning of the name given to a new-born child mirrors the attitude of the parents towards the deities they revered, under whose protection the new-born child is placed (Teixidor 1977, 156-61). The absence of Christian formulae in the early Syriac inscriptions suggests that they are pagan. C.C. Torrey 1932, 68-71, considered the Syriac inscription from the temple of Hadad and Atargatis at Dura-Europos (OSI Bs1, D63) as the oldest known Mesopotamian Christian inscription. It is for this reason that Jenni did not include this inscription with the other Syriac inscriptions (Jenni 1965, 371-85). This view of Torrey (for discussion see al147

148

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

Jadir 1983, 203-6) seems unlikely to be correct as there is no objective proof to support the hypothesis. A number of divine names appear outside personal names in the Syriac inscriptions: ʾLHʾ1 As26:3 (D13); As28:4 (D15); As29:2 (D16); As37:9 (D24); Bs1:8 (D63).

MRLHʾ2 As31:3 (D18); As36:3 (D23); As37:8(D24); As20:6 (D35). SYN As27:3 (D14); As28:11 (D15); As60:4; P. Euphr. 10:24. NḤY Bs2:3 (D2); Co2:4. BYL As22:1 (D37).

NYKL3. Ӧnal and Desreumaux 2019, 246-8. It is appropriate to present evidence for some Greco-Roman religious aspects which are represented by mythological mosaics (Healey 2019a, 60-62). In one of these mosaics Zeus appears in the guise of MRLHʾ alongside depictions of Hera, Chronos, and Prometheus (Cm11; Balty and Briquel-Chatonnet 2000, 32-51; Healey 2019a, 60-2). Among mosaic figures are some fragments of non-divine figures which depict Achilles and Patroclus (Cm3; Balty and BriquelChatonnet 2000, 59-62), Priam and Briseis, legendary human The form ʾLHʾ, “the god” may be the title of one of other gods in the theophoric personal names attested in the old Syriac inscriptions (Healey 2019b, 233). 2 MRLHʾ could be a title referring to Zeus, in one of the mosaics inscriptions from Edessa (cf. Cm11:1). In another inscription from Edessa (As20:6, D35) this title may apply either to Zeus or to Sin or to Baʿalšamīn. The historical origin of the title MRLHʾ is attributed to Akkadian bēl ilāni “Lord of the Gods”, an epithet which is assigned to deities in Mesopotamia (Healey 2019b, 237; 2019a, 54-9; OSI, 80, 220). 3 The Aramaean goddess NYKL (Nikkal) is found for the first time in a recently published Syriac inscription from Harran, probably dated around 180 CE. She is Sumerian in origin NIN-GAL “Great Lady” and worshipped at Harran (Önal and Desreumaux 2019, 246-8; Healey 2019b, 235, 237). 1

CHAPTER THREE. RELIGIOUS IMPLICATIONS

149

beings who were involved in Homer’s Iliad (Cm4; Balty and Briquel-Chatonnet 2000, 51-9). Other names of non-divine figures from Greek mythology are found in a new mosaic from Syria, Odysseus, Achilles, Dēidamia and, possibly, Briseis. All appear in Homeric legends (Abdallah and et al. 2020, 6-8, 19, figs. 10-14). Hecuba, and Troilus are also legendary figures, not deities (Balty and Briquel-Chatonnet 2000, 62-71), and note also the mythologised River Euphrates from Tell Masʿudiyyah in Syria (Bm1). Another semi-divine figure is Orpheus (Am7, D50; Healey 2006, 31327) and the Phoenix is a symbolic religious figure but not a deity (Am6, D49). Divine names found within the personal names are as follows: ʾL (Ēl): ʾLKWD/R (?), ʿZL.

ʾLHʾ (Alāhā): BRLHʾ, BRLY, BRTLHʾ.

ʾLT (Allat): ZYDLT, ʿWYDLT, ʿBDLT, MGDL (?).

BʿLŠMYN (Baʿalšamīn): BRBʿŠMYN/BRBʿŠMN, BRBʿŠʾ. BL (Bēl): BLBNʾ, BLY, BLŠW, ʿLBL, MRʾBYLHʾ (?). HDD (Hadad): BRHD

NBW (Nebō): BRNBW, BRNBS, BRNY. NHR (Nahār): BRNHR.

NḤY (Naḥay): ʾBDNḤY, ʾMTNḤY, ʿBDNḤY, ŠDDWNḤʾ. NNY (Nanaya): BTNNY. NŠR (Nešrā): NŠRYHB.

SYN (Sīn): ʾMTSYN, BLSYN, ŠLMSYN, LṬYBSYN.

SMYʾ (Sēmēion/a): BSMYʾ, BRSMYʾ, BTSMYʾ, ʿBSMYʾ. ʿZT (al-ʿUzzā): (ʾ)MTʿZT. ʿZYZ (ʿaziz): ʿZYZW.

ʿTʾ (Atargatis): ʾBDʿTʾ, BRʿTʾ, ZBDʿTʾ, (ʾ)MTʿTʾ, (ʾ)MTRʿTʾ, ŠLMʿTʾ.

ŠMŠ (Šamaš): ʾMŠMŠ, BRŠMŠ, LŠMŠ, ʿBDŠMŠ, ŠMŠGRM, ŠMŠYHB, ŠMŠʿQB, BRŠMʾ(?). It seems that the deities ŠMŠ, ʿTʾ, BL, SYN, NḤY, SMYʾ, ʾLT and NBW were favoured by parents in Edessan society and the region

150

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

of Osrhoene, as they form a large proportion of the divine elements in available personal names i.e. 38 out of 51 names and they appear as follows: ŠMŠ: in eight names; ʿTʾ: in six names; BL: in five names; SYN: in four names; NḤY: in four names; SMYʾ: in four names; ʾLT: in four names; NBW: in three names.

A BRIEF DISCUSSION OF THE MAIN GODS: Sīn:

The moon god Sīn is mentioned in Syriac inscriptions from the second half of the second century CE as well in a Greek and Syriac legal document from the third century CE (P. Euphr. 10:24). This confirms beyond doubt that the cult of Sīn was practised in northen Mesopotamia at that time. It is worth noting that the goddess Nikkal is closely connected with Sīn. She has been identified as the goddess wife of the moon god Sīn (Önal and Desreumaux 2019, 246-8; Healey 2019b, 235; Saggs 1962, 332). Sīn is well known in the Sumerian Pantheon. His main cult centre was the famous city of Ur in southern Mesopotamia. After Ur, Harran was his most important cult centre in northern Mesopotamia (Saggs 1962, 332). Sīn was regarded as the chief of the gods, controller of the night, of the months and of the lunar calendar. “Time reckoning was an important factor in provisioning an expedition and in estimating its duration and the period for which income would be suspended. This may possibly explain the suprem regard in which the moon god was held” (Gray 1969, 21). The name of Sīn is not Semitic. It is a borrowing from Sumerian (Su-en) (Saggs 1962, 332). The symbol of the moon god Sīn is a pillar with horn crescent on top, and appears on a coin from Harran during the time of Septimius Severus (193-211) (Hill 1922, 82, no. 4, pl.XII, 4; Drijvers 1980, 137) and also on the ancient stele of Harran from the time of Nabonidus, the last king of Babylon (555-539 BCE) (Segal 1963, 211, pl. 1, 2). The motif of the crescent moon, with its convexity at the bottom, as an emblem of Sīn, is to be explained as a boat carrying the moon god across the skies (Saggs 1962, 332; Teixidor 1979,

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43). At Edessa, the veneration of the moon god is also shown by the symbol of the crescent on coins (Segal 1953, 108). In the Syriac inscriptions from Sumatar Harabesi, the moon god Sīn seems to appear under various oher titles: ʾLHʾ, MRLHʾ and Sīn ʾLHʾ. All these epithets are to be assigned to the same deity, Sīn (Teixidor 1977, 150; 1979, 68; Vattioni 1973, 283; Drijvers 1980, 123-8). The titles ʾLHʾ, “the god”, and MRLHʾ, “Lord of the gods”, occur in the same inscription (As37:8, 9) and it is likely that the two titles relate to the same deity, i.e. Sīn. In confirmation of this statement, one may note that in the cuneiform steles of Nabonidius – the last king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire – at Harran, the moon god Sīn is called šar ilāni “king of the gods” or bēl ilāni “Lord of the gods” (Gadd 1958, 46-59. H1, B, col. I, 7, 17, 33, 39, 44, col. II, 12, 21, 23, 28, 34: šar ilāni, H2, A, col. I, 5: bēl ilāni). This last appellative is the same as the Syriac MRLHʾ “Lord of the gods” (Starcky 1970, 6; Drijvers 1973, 5-6; Drijvers 1980, 127-8). The god of Sīn at Sumatar is to be considered as a continuation of the ancient cult of Sīn the moon god at Harran4. To confirm these views, there are some coins from Hatra, probably of the middle of the second century CE, showing the legend Sīn Māralāhē (mrlhʾ) “Sīn, the Lord of the gods” (Walker 1958, 167-72; Aggoula 1972, 47-9; Starcky 1970, 6; Segal 1970, 60). These coins seem to have been brought to Hatra from some place in Northern Mesopotamia, probably from Harran or Singara (Drijvers 1980, 135). With regard to Hatra itself, the moon god seems to have been widely worshipped, although under a name other than those mentioned above, i.e. BRMRYN. al-Salihi has presented evidence that BRMRYN was considered by Hatrans as the son of ŠMŠ (Šamaš) (Hat. 107:6-7), and

Segal suggests that the deity MRLHʾ is to be connected with BʿLŠMYN, as the latter is known by the title mrʾ “Lord” in Palmyra and “Great god” or “King” in Hatra. However, he does not give other evidence for this identification. He believes the people of Mesopotamia and Syria at the beginning of the Christian era had the idea of a single godhead (Segal, 1970, 59-60). 4

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that the epithet of the latter deity, in Hatra, is MRN. Furthermore, al-Salihi identified the moon god (Sīn) with BRMRYN (= son of MRN) (al-Salihi 1975, 75-80; Safar and Mustafa 1974, Fig. 90). In disagreement with al-Salihi, Drijvers claims that the moon god Sīn was not worshipped at all in Hatra (Drijvers 1980, 135), and following Safar (Safar 1965, 38), he identifies BRMRYN with Bacchus-Dionysos (Drijvers 1978, 165). His identification is based on a bronze head together with its inscription (Hatra. 222) dedicated to BRMRYN (Safar and Mustafa 1974, Fig. 147). This evidence for this identification is not convincing, since the inscription does not mention at all that the head represents BRMRYN, although both deities Dionysos and BRMRYN are known as the sons of the Lord of the gods, namely Zeus and MRN. In fact, there are many signs which substantiate the belief that the moon god was worshipped in Hatra, regardless of the name or epithet given to this god. Many of the Hatran statues, sculptures and banners carry the sign of the crescent, which is associated with the moon god (Safar and Mustafa 1974, Figs 140, 183, 193, 263, 269). Moreover, it is well known that the cult of the moon god was widely practised in Lower Mesopotamia (Babylon) as well as in Upper Mesopotamia (Harran). Since Hatra is located in Middle Mesopotamia, it therefore seems very likely that this same cult was likewise practised at Hatra as well, especially since Hatran religion is so eclectic. In Palmyra the ancestral deity Aglibol exerted his traditional functions of moon god (Teixidor 1979, 46; Bounni 1978, 175-8) forming the cult of the triad together with Bēl (the supreme god) and Yarḥibol (the sun god) (Teixidor 1979, 1; Teixidor 1977, 1146). The cult of the divine triad Bēl, Yarḥibol and Aglibol was established at the main temple of Palmyra at least from 32 CE (Teixidor 1977, 114; Bounni 1978, 175).

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Atargatis:

The cult of the Syrian goddess Atargatis5, Syriac 760‫ܬܪ‬, Tarʿatha, that is, the goddess of fertility, is attested at Edessa by the evidence of the following proper names: ʾBDʿTʾ, BRʿTʾ, ZBDʿTʾ, (ʾ)MTʿTʾ, (ʾ)MTRʿTʾ and ŠLMʿTʾ, though it does not occur as a separate form. The worship of Atargatis is associated with fish-ponds which were sacred to her (Segal 1970, 6, 48-9; Segal 1963, 213, pl. 5; Drijvers 1980, 79; al-Jadir 2016, 362-3). Another sign of the Atargatis cult is, perhaps, the leaf held in the right hand of the central figure of the family Portrait Mosaic (al-Jadir 1983, pl. IX) and also in the Tripod Mosaic (al-Jadir 1983, pl. X), from the neighbourhood of Edessa (Segal 1963, 213-4, and pls. 4, 7). This symbol is also known in connection with the “Syrian goddess” at Hierapolis (modern Mabbug) to whom fish were sacred. Hierapolis was the great cult centre of the goddess Atargatis (Segal 1970, 56). Normally the goddess Atargatis is connected with the god Hadad where the latter forms the divine element of the personal name BRHDD found in one of the mosaic inscriptions from Edessa called Barhadad Mosaic (Am11:2; Healey 2019a, 52). This relation is indicated by a relief showing the divine pair which was found at Edessa (Drijvers 1980, 80 and pl. XXII). But in Palmyra there is no evidence of Hadad in association with Atargatis (Bounni 1978, 183). The worship of Atargatis is attested in Palmyra under the name ʿTRʿTH (Stark 1971, 61) and in Hatra under the name ʾTRʿTʾ (Hatra 5:3; 29:4; 30:7) or under the epithet MRTN (al-Salihi 1975, 77-8, 80). Atargatis was also worshipped in other places in Syria and Northern Mesopotamia such as Dura-Europos, Harran, Salamiyeh, Kafr Neb and Hauran (Drijvers 1980, 76-121). One tradition relating to the cult of Atargatis is that the people of Edessa used to exercise the custom of self-emasculation as a central feature of the worship of the goddess. This kind of rite The name of the goddess Atargatis or Dea Syria has different spellings in Aramaic as in Greek: ʿTRʿTH, TRʿTʾ, ʾTRʿTH, ʾTRʿTʾ, TRʿT (see Drijvers 1980, 84). 5

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lasted until king Abgar VII (177-212 CE) came to power when he ordered the people to abandon the custom (Drijvers 1980, 76-7). Bēl and Nebō:

As a divine name, Bēl occurs in an inscription (As22, D37) and is used as an interjection, i.e. “(oh) Bēl”6. The proper names which are compound with the divine names Bēl7 and Nebō in the Syriac inscriptions – BLBNʾ, BLY, BLŠW, ʿLBL, MRʾBYLHʾ(?), BRNBW, BRNBS, BRNY– again show the influence of Mesopotamian traditional religion at Edessa, just as it is found also at Harran, Palmyra and Hatra. This influence survived into Christian times. Bēl and Nebō were considered as main gods at Edessa according to the Doctrine of Addai and their cult there, which goes back to Neo-Babylonian period was very popular (Drijvers 1980, 42; Teixidor 1977, 151). In Palmyra they form the divine element in a number of Palmyrene names. It is evident that the gods Bēl and Nebō were even worshipped by the Aramaic-speaking people in Egypt as is shown by an ostracon from Elephantine from the sixth-fifth century BCE. The ostracon mentions the four Babylonian gods – Bēl, Nebō, Šamaš and Nergal (Dupont-Sommer 1944, 28-39). The same four deites are also attested in the Sefire Aramaic inscriptions from the eight century BCE (Fitzmyer 1967, 33-9). The Babylonian city god Marduk received the title Bēl, “Lord” par excellence, just as Ishtar was often called Bēlit “Lady”. On the other hand, the god Nebō, who was closely associated with Bēl, was originally the god of Borsippa near Babylon (Saggs 1962, 342). Under the influence of Bēl-Marduk, the Palmyrene god Bol had his name changed into Bēl at a later date. One may note that the names Bēl and Bol form the divine element in a number of Palmyrene personal names (Teixidor 1977, 113).

Drijvers and Healey suggested that BYL in this inscription is likely a form of the interjection bl, meaning, “indeed” known in Palmyrene and Hatran (OSI, 83). 7 The name Bēl presumably replaced Baʿal in accordance with the strong influence of the culture of Babylon (Drijvers 1980, 53). 6

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In Hatra the popularity of the god Nebō is represented by a private shrine which was dedicated to him, besides again his presence in personal names. On the other hand, the cult of Nebō seems to have had a secondary place among the Hatran pantheon, since Nebō is “not recorded in the inscriptions to be invoked or beseeched as were the greater gods of the city” (al-Salihi 1983, 1405). Aziz and Munʿim:

The cult of the male Venus star appears in the twin Arabian gods Aziz “Mighty” and Munʿim “Kindly” (though only the former is mentioned in the inscriptions), who worshipped at Edessa, representing respectively the morning star and the evening star (Drijvers 1980, 147, 150). It is noteworthy to mention the fact that Julian the Apostate makes a connection between Edessa and Azizos and Monimos when he says “The inhabitants of Edessa, a place sacred to Helios from of old, have Monimos and Azizos seated alongside him.” (Healey 2019a, 53). A female Venus deity, who was widely venerated throughout Northern Arabia, is called al-ʿUzzā ‫“ اﻟُﻌَﺰى‬the Mighty Goddess”, a feminine form of Aziz. However, the same origin of both deities may explain some relations between them (Drijvers 1980, 152). The proper names ʿZYZW and (ʾ)MTʿZT which are found in the Syriac inscriptions may reflect the cult of Aziz and al-ʿUzzā at Edessa. The cult of the god Aziz is also attested in the Palmyrene pantheon (Bounni 1978, 179-82), and his name is found in some Palmyrene personal names (Stark 1971, 44, 105). Also a few monuments of his cult have been found in Palmyra (Drijvers 1976, Pls. LXIV:2; LXVIII). NḤY:

Other evidence concerning Arab cults at Edessa comes from the veneration of the god NḤY (Drijvers 1980, 155-6) whose name forms the divine element in some of the personal names in the Syriac inscriptions: ʾBDNḤY, ʾMTNḤY, ʿBDNḤY, ŠDDWNḤʾ and in Palmyrene personal names (Stark 1971, 99). As a separate divine name, NḤY occurs once in the Syriac inscriptions (Bs2:3). The divine name NḤY appears likewise on the rev. of the bronze

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coin of Waʾel (162/3-65) (Co2:4). It is worthy of mention that “so far as Syriac evidence is concerned, it is likely that Naḥay is a deity worshipped in the Euphrates and Palmyra areas, of male gender if the coin evidence is reliable (Co2: ʾlh ʾnḥy, read as ʾlhʾ nḥy)”. However, it might be that Old Syriac NḤY is borrowed from a Mesopotamian source (Healey 2019a, 54). Šamaš:

Šamaš, the sun god, is the Syriac parallel of Sumerian UTU and Akkadian Šamaš who enjoyed great popularity in the ancient cultures of the Near East (Harrak 1992, 319). It is clear that the cult of the sun god Šamaš was practised at Edessa, as his name forms the divine component of a number of Edessan personal names: ʾMŠMŠ, BRŠMŠ, LŠMŠ, ʿBDŠMŠ, ŠMŠGRM, ŠMŠYHB, ŠMŠʿQB, BRŠMʾ(?). It is notable that the southern gate of Edessa was called the Gate of Bēth-Šamaš (Segal 1953, 107). This may indicate that there was a temple in the southern part of Edessa for the god Šamaš. In Hatra, as was mentioned earlier, the religious triad consists of MRN “our Lord”, MRTN “our Lady” and BRMRYN “son of our Lords”. The first epithet refers to the sun god, Šamaš (Safar and Mustafa 1974, 41-3). In inscriptions on local coins, the city of Hatra is referred to as ḤṬRʾ dŠMŠ i.e. the Ḥaṭra (enclosure) of Šamaš (the sun-god) (Walker 1958, 167). However, the Hatran Aramaic inscriptions show that Šamaš is the most common theophoric element appeared in personal names (Abbadi 1983, XXIIXXIII; Marcato 2016, 350-1). The worship of the god Šamaš is attested in Palmyra in some Palmyrene inscriptions which mention his name with other deities (for discussion see Cooke 1903, nos. 117, 136; Stark 1971, 61). It is likewise seen as a divine element in Palmyrene personal names (Stark 1971, 29-30, 53, 93, 115). Allat:

The chief goddess of the ancient Arabs, Allat, was widely venerated by the Arab tribes in Mesopotamia and Syria (al-Jadir 2016, 263-4). This goddess is mentioned in the Qurʾan (53:18-19) together with the deities al-ʿUzzā and Manāt. The cult of Allat is

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evidenced in Edessa from the few names which are composed with Allat: ʿBDLT, ʿWYDLT, ZYDLT, MGDL(?). In Hatra, the worship of Allat is shown by theophoric names, dedicatory inscriptions and by sculptural representations (Safar and Mustafa 1974, 44-5; al-Salihi 1976, 177-79). In Palmyra the goddess Allat was again widely worshipped among the people and this is evidenced by a great number of personal names compounded with her name (Stark 1971, 5, 40, 42, 44).

CONCLUSION Although personal names do not necessarily represent the ethnic identity or religious beliefs of their bearers, it is evident from the preceding discussions that the majority of the personal names in the Syriac inscriptions are found to be related to Arabic or Arabic personal names. Many of these names, however, appear also in other Semitic languages and other dialects of Aramaic, particularly in Palmyrene, Nabataean, Hatran Aramaic and Hebrew, as, of course, do the foreign names such as the Persian, Greek and Latin ones. One can deduce that the Arabs in Edessa and its surroundings, as is in any case known from other sources, form a considerable proportion of the population during the first three centuries CE, as is also obvious in Palmyra, Hatra and Petra. The early Syriac inscriptions show only pagan elements. This becomes evident through the mention of deities worshipped, and other divine or semi-divine figures as well as in personal names containing divine names. These names reflect the religious attitudes of the people in this region. Like the Palmyrenes and Hatrans, Edessan people venerated numerous deities of varied cultural origins, such as the Babylonian deities Nabō and Bēl, the Mesopotamian god Šamaš and Atargatis from Hierapolis. Gods of Arab origin, Allat, Naḥay etc. were also part of the religious life of Edessa. The personal names reveal also that there are pagan influences in Syriac Christian personal names, since the pre-Christian divine names found in the Syriac inscriptions persisted in use in Christian contexts and in later times (Harrak 1992, 318-23).

159

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INDEX Alāhā (ʾLHʾ), 41ff, 43n, 52f, 85, 90, 119, 148, 148n1, 149, 151, 156 Achilles, 148f Addai, 10, 13, 44 Agade, 95 Aglibol, 152 Allat (ʾLT), 149, 156f, 159 Ammonite, 13 Amorite, 34n Aphrahaṭ, 25 Arabia, 32, 70, 87, 155 Aramaic, Aramaean, 1f, 6, 9, 12, 22, 25, 33f, 37ff, 41f, 48, 57, 61n42, 72, 74f, 88, 95, 100f, 107, 115ff, 127, 132, 153n, 154, 156, 159 Arpad, 57 Assur, 25, 33, 39, 42, 45, 74f, 100f, 107, 127 Atargatis, 9, 21, 28, 44, 108, 147, 149, 153, 153n, 159 ʿAziz (ʿZYZ), 104, 104nn75f, 149, 155; see also Azizos and alʿUzzā Azizos, 105, 155

Baʿalšamīn (BʿLŠMYN), 34ff, 96, 148n2, 149, 151n Babylon, 150, 152, 154, 154n7 Bacchus-Dionysos, 152 BʿL, 32f, 154n7 Bēl (BL), 31, 44, 77, 149f, 152, 154, 154n7, 159; see also BʿL, BOL and BYL Bēl ilāni, 148n2, 151 BOL, 154 Boṣrā, 94n Briseis, 148f BRMRYN, 151f, 156 BYL, 90, 148 Christianity, 1, 98 Christians in Iraq 43, 75, 95 Christians of Mesopotamia 115 Chronos 148 Coins, 3, 147, 151, 156 Dea Syria, 153n Deidamia, 149 Diminutive, 11f, 27, 29, 38f, 58f, 61f, 72, 74, 90, 100f, 103, 106f, 112, 124, 127, 133, 136f, 139, 142

173

174

PERSONAL NAMES IN OLD SYRIAC

Doctrine of Addai, 8, 8n, 13, 31, 48, 75, 94, 98ff, 123, 125f, 154 Dura-Europos, 3, 6, 12, 45n, 124, 147, 153 Edessa, Edessan, 1, 2, 7, 8n, 23n, 30, 41f, 44ff, 52, 64, 70, 73, 82n58, 87, 97f, 100, 103, 105, 107, 123, 130ff, 147, 148n2, 149, 151, 153ff, 159 Euphrates, 149, 156 Greek (influence), 1 Greeks (in Middle East), 1 Hadad (HDD), 37, 147, 149, 153 Harran, 47n, 114n, 148n3, 150ff Hatra, 31, 36, 47, 63, 75, 92, 107, 125, 132, 151, 151n4, 152ff Hecuba, 149 Hera, 148 Hierapolis (Mabbug), 153, 159 Homeric legend, 149 Inscriptions: Hatran, 18, 43n, 55, 124, 154n6, 156 Palmyrene, 22, 154n6, 156 South Arabic, 79, 125n93 Syriac, see Syriac inscriptions Ishtar, 154 Jacobites, 2 Jesus, 50, 92n

Jewish tradition, 81n, 107, 120, 123, 125 Julian the Apostate, 105, 155 Manāt, 156 Marduk, 154 Mari, 76 Mesopotamia, 56, 96, 115, 148n2, 150f, 151n, 152f, 156 Monimos, 155 Moon (deity), 150ff; see also Sīn Mosaics, 2f, 148, 148n2, 149, 153 Māralāhē (MRLHʾ), 42, 148, 148n2, 151, 151n; see also Zeus MRʾ, 90, 151n MRN, 152, 156 MRTN, 82, 153, 156 Munʿim, see Monimos Nabonidus, 150f Nahār (NHR), 44, 149 Naḥay (NḤY), 8f, 20, 86, 99, 117, 117n88, 148ff, 155f, 159 Nanaya (NNY), 45, 53f, 149 Nebō (NBW), 31, 43, 43n, 44f, 98, 125, 149f, 154f Nergal, 40n22, 154 Nešrā (NŠR), 92, 149 Nestorians, 2 New Testament, 13, 44, 50, 66, 68, 75f, 119f, 123, 125, 128 Nikkal (NYKL), 148, 148n3, 150 Odysseus, 149

INDEX Old Testament, 10, 30, 37, 66, 75, 84, 100, 123, 125n93, 129 Onomastics, 5, 9n, 78, 96, 107, 112 Orhay, 1; see also Edessa Orpheus, 149 Osrhoene, 150 Palmyra, 32, 132, 151n, 152ff, 159 Papyri, 4, 4n, 115, 117 Parchments, 2f, 4, 4n, 18, 147 Parthian rulers, 65 Patroclus, 148 Persia, 1, 65 Persian Empire, 1 Peshitta, 44, 50, 119, 125 Phoenix, 149 Priam, 148 Prometheus, 148 Qurʾan, 156 Roman Empire, 1f Šamaš (ŠMŠ), 19, 19n, 47n, 51f, 54, 62n, 70, 78, 99, 124ff, 149ff, 154, 156, 159; see also Sun Sanatruq, 68 Şanliurfa, 1 Šar ilāni, 151 Sefire, 57, 59, 154 Seleukia, 93 Sīn, 61n40, 73n53, 148n2, 149ff

175 Sēmēion/a, 109 Semitic languages, 20, 37, 40, 49, 74, 96, 113, 116, 132f, 159 Septimius Severus, 150 Sumatar Harabesi, 151 Sun (deity), 52, 124, 152, 156 Syriac: Inscriptions, 2f, 8, 12, 18, 22, 23n, 33, 40, 44, 53n31, 59, 70, 78, 84, 98, 101, 106, 110, 116, 131, 133, 147, 148, 148nn1f, 150f, 154f, 159 Literature, 1, 2, 8, 10, 48, 50f, 76, 88, 94, 130 Tradition, 25, 68, 101 Talmud, 10, 75 Trajan, 87 Tribe, 32, 41, 50f, 60, 61n42, 76, 84, 156 Troilus, 149 Ur, 150 al-ʿUzza, 21, 73, 104, 149, 155f Vologases, 65 Zacchaeus, 68 Zakir, 57 Zerubbabel, 30 Zeus, 148, 148n2, 152