2025/03/21 by Idan Dershowitz, Na’ama Pat-El · 1 voice
Social Sciences · #Chinese history and philosophy
paper · pdf · doi:10.1163/15685330-bja10189
openalex publication_date 2025/03/21 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
Abstract The Hebrew noun אות is generally understood to refer to a sign, frequently one that is divine or miraculous. This understanding has long informed interpretations of biblical passages and Hebrew inscriptions. The common definition, we argue, is often inapt and fails to account for many instances of the term. From ancient biblical translations to modern scholarship, myriad ad hoc explanations have been suggested for difficult passages featuring this word, none of which are persuasive. We propose that אוֹת has an overlooked constellation of meanings related to proclamations and commitments, which better explains its usage in several biblical passages. Our proposal is further supported by epigraphic and comparative Semitic evidence.