Ancient Place Names in the Holy Land
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
Ancient Place Names in the Holy Land answers a basic need in the historical geography of the Land of Israel, its implications for scholarship in Hebrew and Aramaic linguistics, Bible studies, and numerous other areas.
The earliest scholars of historical geography of the Holy Land preserved the names of geographical features—or toponyms—in Arab speech up to modern times. Consequently, Arabic toponyms have become a major source for identification of ancient site. For students of Hebrew and other Semitic languages, the toponymy of the land of Israel provides a kind of ancient recording of pre-Arab linguistics. Ancient place-names are also of importance for scholars of the rabbinic studies, Qumran studies, Samaritan studies, the history of Islam, and early Christianity.
Unfortunately, the use of this valuable tool—using ancient place-names to identify linguistic features—is not governed by any clear-cut rules. The present volume formulates the rules of toponym preservation based on positive identifications, and through these rules to deal with various historical and linguistic questions.
With the Logos edition, this resource is fully integrated with the rest of your digital library. Links to original language texts, dictionaries, and other historical documents—such as the Amarna Letters—are only a click away! Ancient Place Names in the Holy Land is an important addition to the libraries of Old Testament and Near Eastern scholars, and is ideal for anyone looking to understand more deeply the historical and cultural context of the Old Testament.
- Formulates the rules of toponym preservation
- Offers a brief summary of new discoveries and insights in historical geography
- Bibliographical references and indexes
- Title: Ancient Place Names in the Holy Land
- Author: Yoel Elitzur
- Publisher: Magnes Press
- Publication Date: 2004
- Pages: 459
Professor Yoel Elitzur is a researcher of the Hebrew language and biblical and historical geography, a member of the Academy of the Hebrew Language, and its representative on the National Naming Committee of the Israeli government. He is well known for his research on place names in the Land of Israel. Born in Jerusalem, Prof. Elitzur received his earliest inspiration from his father, Professor Yehuda Elitzur, z”l, one of the founders of Bar-Ilan University. Prof. Yoel Elitzur received his doctorate at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and rabbinical ordination from Israel’s Chief Rabbinate. He heads the Land of Israel Studies Department at Herzog College and the Land of Israel Studies cluster at the Jerusalem College. He leads tours throughout Israel with colleagues, travelers, and students.
