[B-Greek] pronouncing PEILATOS = PILATOS

R Yochanan Bitan Buth ybitan at mscc.huji.ac.il
Fri Aug 13 13:24:14 EDT 2004


XAIREIN

 

I just saw a discussion on PILATOS and was surprised that no one mentioned a
related historical problem. The 'great uncials' [B, C, D, A, W (p75, too)]
spelled Pilate's name as PEILATOS, which, if my memory serves me was the
spelling in Westcott-Hort, too. 

Of course, that would not justify pronouncing I as IPA [ai], 

nor would it justify IPA [e] (close to 'ey' without the 'y'). 

Why not?

 

In the Roman period (63 BCE -325CE) EI and I were pronounced identically, as
IPA [i] (as in English 'beat', 'fee'). 

 

Thus, PEILATOS is pronounced identically with PILATOS.  IPA [pilatos]. 

The name could be correctly spelled in more than one way.

 

As for O MIKRON, it was [o] and not lower than W MEGA. 

If someone wants a pre-Koine 'aw' sound, (please not 'ah', which is ALFA), 

then they should reserve it for W MEGA, probably 'aw' back in the 5th
century BCE. 

You may consult Allen on the 5th century BCE, or see the comparison chart on
last page of: 

www.biblicalulpan.org/Sound_files/PRONSYS1_US.pdf 

 

ERRWSQE

 

Randall Buth, PhD

Director, Biblical Language Center

www.biblicalulpan.org

and Director, Biblical Studies in Israel

Hebrew University, Rothberg International School

ybitan at mscc.huji.ac.il

 




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