To: "Biblical Hebrew" <b-hebrew AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
Subject: Re: "Hebrew"/"Habiru"
Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 17:23:41 +1100
> [...]
> Logistically, the Habiru in the Amarna letters are found not only in
> central Palestine, but also in areas such as Damascus, the Beqa'a, Byblos
> and even the Orontes valley. Anyone wishing to forego any validation of the
> OT/HB as historical data for our period of interest will need to explain
> what these "Hebrew"/"Habiru" were doing well outside the indications
> supplied by their proposed witness's testimony.
Yes. You would have to posit the theory that the Israelites were just one of
a number of
peoples invading. The problem, however, doesn't seem to be that the Habiru
were invading,
but rather just being a general menace with the odd escalation here and
there. The best
way to translate the term is, I think, as "gypsies". What do others think?
Best regards,
George Athas
Dept of Semitic Studies,
University of Sydney
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tel Dan Inscription Website http://members.xoom.com/gathas/teldan.htm
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
< gathas@ mail.usyd.edu.au >