IMA.Saf 1

Siglum: IMA.Saf 1
Transliteration: l ḫlf bn nʿrt bn ḥṭm bn mlk w h- ṯyt
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Translation: By Ḫlf son of Nʿrt son of Ḥṭm son of Mlk and the sheep-fold
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Language and Script: Safaitic

Interpretation

Commentary: All the names are known and note that nʿrt occurs in WTI 81. The expression w h- ṯyt is unusual but compare l N w h- rgm in HCH 1 and 2. Note that Mehri ṯīwīt means "sheep" (with thanks to Janet Watson for this information). An alternative reading would be mlkw h- ṯyt. The translation of ṯyt as "sheep-fold" follows WH but in fact it can mean a shelter for the night for any domestic animals or “stones elevated for a sign of the way to direct the pastor when he returns by night” (Lane 366a-b).

Associated Signs: Probably 7 dots between the beginning and the end of the text

[HCH] Harding, G.L. The Cairn of Haniʾ. Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan 2, 1953: 8-56, pls 1-7. No. 1–2
[Lane] 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.
[WH] Winnett, F.V. & Harding, G.L. Inscriptions from Fifty Safaitic Cairns. (Near and Middle East Series, 9). Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1978.
[W.Dad] Winnett, F.V. & Reed, W.L. Ancient Records from North Arabia. with contributions by J.T. Milik and J. Starcky. (Near and Middle East Series, 6). Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1970. No. 84

Updated 16 Sep, 2024 by OCIANA