WH 1023

Siglum: WH 1023
Transliteration: l ʾtm bn ḫnṣ bn s²ʿ w ṣyr b- ʾbl m- ẓʿnt {w} {ʿ}d l- h- ḍʾn b- ms¹lt ʾḥwl -h ʾṯy
Translation: By ʾtm son of Ḫnṣ son of S²ʿ and he has returned to permanent water with some camels from seeking herbage {and} {he went back} to the sheep [which were] in a stream-bed transferring them to a pen

Interpretation

Commentary: For ẓʿnt compare Classical Arabic ẓaʿana "he journeyed to seek after herbage or water" (Lane 1911b–c); ms¹lt compare masīl "a channel, bed made by flash-floods" (Lane 1486c); The interpretation of ʾḥwl here is offered very tentatively based on the use of the passive of the IV form īḥāl "it is removed, transferred" in Kurpersohoek 2005: 68); ṯyt compare ṯāyah "the nightly resting place of camels, sheep and goats when they have gone away to a distance in the pasture" (Lane 366a).

Winnett, F.V. & Harding, G.L. Inscriptions from Fifty Safaitic Cairns. (Near and Middle East Series, 9). Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1978.
Lane, E.W. An Arabic-English Lexicon, Derived from the Best and Most Copious Eastern Sources. (Volume 1 in 8 parts [all published]). London: Williams & Norgate, 1863-1893.