[B-Greek] PASXA and SIKERA --transliteration from Hebrew
Ken Penner
ken.penner at acadiau.ca
Mon Apr 2 12:47:54 EDT 2007
Dear Al,
I think Randy's point was that the final A on PASCA is NOT the Aramaic determinative ending, but was added to help pronunciation of a word that would otherwise end in a consonant. What support can be adduced for either view? We should add to Pascha and Sabbata (Josephus, Antiquities 1.33) the word Asarta (Josephus, Antiquities 3.252), and also Bethzatha or Bethesda or Bethsaida in John 5:2, Gabbatha in John 19:13, Golgotha in John 19:17. All of these words are said to be "Hebrew" (Hebrais/Hebraisti/in language of the Hebrews).
The following words called Hebrew look Aramaic:
1. John’s Βηθζαθα/Βηθεσδα (Ἑβραΐστι in John 5:2)
2. John’s Γαββαθα (Ἑβραΐστι in John 19:13)
3. John’s Γολγοθ(α) (Ἑβραΐστι in John 19:17)
4. Josephus’ σάββατα (κατὰ τὴν ῾Εβραίων διάλεκτον in A.J. 1.33)
5. Josephus’ ἀσαρθὰ (ἣν Ἑβραῖοι καλοῦσι in A.J. 3.252)
6. Philo’s Πάσχα (῾Εβραῖοι πατρίῳ γλώττῃ καλοῦσι) in Decal. 159 and Spec. Leg. 2.145
The Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible has Aramaic-looking transliterations (σικερα, Πασχα, σάββατα) because alpha endings are used to help Greek pronunciation (BDF §141(3)) (cf. άλφα, βητα, δελτα, from אלף, בית, דלת, etc.) Alpha was a natural sound to add, to keep the word from ending with a consonant. According to Smyth, something similar happened in the transformation of the accusative singular ending nu into alpha in the third declension.
What evidence will help us decide whether the A is from Aramaic or added to help Greek pronunciation?
Ken
Ken M. Penner, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies,
Acadia Divinity College,
Wolfville, Nova Scotia,
Canada B4P 2R6.
(902)585-2213
http://purl.org/net/kmpenner/
> PASCA, however,
> happens to be Aramaic, not Hebrew (as determinative final A
> indicates). The phenomenon as such —— and SIKERA belongs
> here too—— testifies to the extensive influence of the lingua
> franca of the Persian period (Aramaic) among Jews as well as others.
> The same influence is underscored by the fact that the Greek
> translators of the LXX often 'Aramaized' their Hebrew source, i.e.
> ascribing Aramaic meanings to Hebrew words and morphemes.
> Al
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