Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Jonathan D. Safren" <yonsaf AT beitberl.ac.il>]

> When did Aramaeans first hit Mesopotamian inscriptions -- not Ahlamu, but
> Aramaeans? When the Hebrews were already supposed to have been in
> Palestine. When the climatic change drove them out of the steppes and into
> more arable lands to survive, causing such trouble for the Assyrians and
> Babylonians in the Khabur region and Suhi.
>

If I remember correctly - and I may not - the Arimu, identified with the 
Arameans,
first appear in 12th century BCE Middle Assyrian inscriptions. I forgot which 
king
mentions them first; it may have been one of the Tukulti-Ninurtas or the
Tiglat-Pilesers. Someon e have a book handy?
Jonathan
--
Jonathan D. Safren
Dept. of Biblical Studies
Beit Berl College
44905 Beit Berl Post Office
Israel