BES20 2185

Siglum
BES20 2185
Transliteration
l mʿn bn s²ḥl bn ʾḥrb bn ms¹k bn ẓʿn w ṭrq f wgd h- my w mlḫ {----}} f ʾs²rq f h lt s¹lm w ʿwr ḏ yʿwr
Josef Bloomfield and Ahmad Al-Jallad
Translation
By Mʿn son of S²ḥl son of ʾḥrb son of Ms¹k son of Ẓʿn and he came (to this place) by night and found water water and then set off on a journey and migrated to the inner desert so, O Lt, [grant] security and blind him who would efface (this inscription)
Ahmad Al-Jallad
Language and Script
Safaitic 1

Interpretation

Commentary

ṭrq: This verb is previously attested meaning 'to strike', but here it seems to be part of a description of a journey. While it can carry the generic meaning 'to travel,' it is often used to mean a journey at night (Lane, 1846b). 

mlḫ: This is another verb of travel, likely cognate with Classical Arabic malaḫa 'to journey at a vehement rate' (Lane, 2374a). The object of this verb could have originally followed, but the writing there has been completely obliterated. It is possible that this is the author's doing and that the verb should be followed directly by the conjunction, f.

Ahmad Al-Jallad

Editio Princeps
OCIANA
Field Collector
BES20 team

Technique
Carved
Direction of Script
Boustrophedon

  • [BES20] Inscriptions recorded during the Badia Epigraphic Survey 2020 and published here
  • [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.
Site
Wādī Miqāṭ, Al-Mafraq Governorate, Jordan
Date Found
2020
Current Location
In situ
Subjects
Genealogy, Movement, Transhumance, Topographic features, Prayer, Deity, Curse, Writing
Updated 06 Aug, 2026 by Ahmad Al-Jallad

Cite this Site

Josef Bloomfield and Ahmad Al-Jallad and Ahmad Al-Jallad, 'BES20 2185,' ed. A. Al-Jallad and M.C.A. Macdonald, OCIANA, 06 Aug, 2026. https://ociana.osu.edu/inscriptions/46408. Accessed: 12 Aug, 2026.