Fucus: A Semitic/Afrasian Gathering in Remembrance of Albert Ehrman (review)

Hebrew Studies 31 (1990) 93 - Reviews FUCUS: A SEMITIC/AFRASIAN GATHERING IN REMEMBRANCE OF ALBERT EHRMAN. Yael L. Arbeitman, ed. Amsterdam Studies in the Theory and History of Linguistic Science. E. F. Konrad Koerner, ed. Series 4-Current Issues in Linguistic Theory 58. Pp. xvi + 350. Philadelphia: John Benjamins, 1988. Cloth. The works of Dr. Albert Ehrman (1933-1981)-a scholar who made original contributions in various fields of Semitic philology-are listed (pp. xv-xvi) and evaluated (pp. ix-x). The title of the memorial volume is explained at its end (pp. 519-530): fucus is red lichen; the Aramaic root s-q-r used for it was also used for red dye and color, as shown in three reprinted articles by Ehrman and one by the editor. This root has also been used for explaining the name of Judas Iscariot (cf. pp. 526-527; 528-530). The volume, which is produced from typescript but with footnotes conveniently placed on the bottom of pages, contains twenty-three contributions in English, three in German, and two in French. Those directly or indirectly related to Hebrew and Judaic studies are shortly characterized below, the others only listed. Five articles are devoted to the Hebrew Bible: (I) Kevin J. Cathcart, "Micah 2:4 and Nahum 3:16-17 in the Light of Akkadian": Akkadian sadadu "to pull, drag" (a cord for the purpose of measuring), according to I. J. Gelb, is used for the rendering "we have been measured out for sale completely" in Micah. In Nahum, tUpSarru "astrologer," manzaz (in accordance with Torczyner's emendation instead of mnzr) "official, diviner," and saIJaru "to encircle, to bewitch," used as an analogy to r-k-/ "magician ," give these two verses the expected unity. (2) Saul Levin, "The Hebrew of the Pentateuch": The difference between lengthening vowels and their "off-glidings" with Iwl or Iyl is not recorded in ancient Hebrew consonantal texts. Observations of forms written with and without -h, -w-, and -y- lead to the conclusion that Exodus spelling is more archaic than that of Genesis while Deuteronomy is less archaic. Both temporal and regional differences may be reflected in these features. (3) Othniel Margalith, "Religious Life in Jerusalem on the Eve of the Fall of the First Temple": Not less than thirteen foreign cult practices are mentioned for the time of Josiah's reforms; some may be related to the cult of Apollo Smintheus. (To p. 346, §8: Dog skeletons were found on the tophet of Carthage in 1976.) Hebrew Studies 31 (1990) 94 Reviews (4) Chaim Rabin. "Lexical Emendation in Biblical Research": Various kinds of lexical emendations in the first installment of Baumgartner's Lexikon (1967) are presented and discussed. Some make use of another word from the Hebrew Bible. some introduce additions to Hebrew vocabulary . and some use etymologies from related languages. Both the introductory sections on methods and sources and the conclusion show the need for better cooperation between linguists and exegetes in the study of vocabulary. (5) Gary A. Rendsburg. "Hebrew ~w/yb and Arabic §bb": Following Ehnnan's interpretations of Mic 6:14 (1959; 1973). also Gen 24:63. 1 Kgs 18:27. Isa 5:25. and Prov 23:29. as well as lQS 7:15. are to be interpreted with the help of Arabic §-IJiJ "urinate/defecate." The following are also of interest for biblical studies. Edward Lipinski. "In Search of the Etymology of Some Semitic Loan-Words": Hebrew qe~TtlI indicates "ewe lamb" which could be given as payment or as a present. William H. Shea. "Commemorating the Final Breakthrough of the Siloam Tunnel": Commentary to the text and analysis of its literary structure lead to the conclusion that it is a piece of poetic prose. Talia Thorion-Vardi. "Remarks on Genesis Rabba 22.6": Midrashic interpretation of Gen 3:7 is related to the literary fonn of the Ma(a~e. The following deal with Hebrew and Judaic studies of later periods. Daniel Boyarin. "Bilingualism and Meaning in Rabbinic Literature: An Example": Complex interaction of Hebrew and Aramaic is observed on midrashic and liturgical texts. Their lexical study requires application of various disciplinary approaches. Lewis Glinert. "Adverbial Clauses and Clauses as Adverbials in...