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  • From: "Ishinan" <ishinan AT comcast.net>
  • To: "B-Hebrew" <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [b-hebrew] Abdi-H.eba in the Amarna Tablet # 286
  • Date: Wed, 12 May 2010 00:51:15 -0500

Dear Jim,

In your posts, you have often alluded to Abdi-H.eba *(1), the local ruler of Jerusalem, in connection with the Hurrians.

In my opinion, Abdi H.eba has nothing to do with the Hurrians. Further, Abdi H.eba, which has been mentioned in line two of the Amarna Tablet 286 * (2), is a simple case of onomastics theophory. The following Abdi H.eba name is derived from the Semitic word Abd (= "obedient" or "servant") added to the name of the Ancient Egyptian god of inundation, H.eba. Theophoric names were exceedingly common in the Ancient Near East and especially in Semitic names.

It makes more sense to find H.eba (the name of an Ancient Egyptian god) in a personal name, especially in view of the relationship between the vassal ruler, Abdi H.eba, who owed his position to the grace of his suzerain the Egyptian Pharaoh.

To know more about the Egyptian god of inundation H.eba, see: Revue Égyptologique publiée sous la direction de Heinrich Karl Brugsch, François Joseph Chabas, et Eugène Révillout, Paris, 1880. pages 14 & 17.


A JPEG showing the meaning of the name of the Egyptian god H.eba has been forwarded to you for your personal edification. Any member who desires a copy, please send me your request in private. I'll be more than glad to oblige.

Best regards,

Ishinan Ishibashi

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* (1) H. = A voiceless pharyngeal fricative consonantal sound in Ancient Egyptian corresponding to Akkadian = kh.
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* (2) Amarna Tablet 286:

Knudtzon, J. A. Die El-Amarna-Tafeln. Vorderasiatische Bibliotek, vol. 2. Leipzig: J. C. Hinrichs, 1907-1915 (repr. Aalen: O. Zeller, 1964).

Transliteration:
1- um-ma m Abdi-H.eba ardu-ka-ma
2- 7-ta-a-an ù 7-ta-a-an am-qut-mi
3- ma-an-na ip-Sá-ti a-na Sarri bêli-ia

Translated from the Akkadian as :

1- Message of Abdi-H.eba, your servant:
2- seven times and seven times I fall down.
3- What have I done to the king, my lord?
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