2015/01/01 by Richard Cole · 1 citation
Arts and Humanities · #Linguistics and language evolution #Historical and Archaeological Studies #Historical, Literary, and Cultural Studies
paper · doi:10.1484/j.vms.5.109599
openalex publication_date 2015/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/19
It is well recognized that the use of formulae originally from the Hebrew language was not uncommon in the hymnody and liturgy of the medieval Church. This article surveys the protrusion of such formulae into Scandinavian runic inscriptions and postulates that there was a particular awareness of their Hebrew identity. The extent of clerical esteem for - and knowledge of - the Hebrew language in medieval Scandinavia is considered using runic and manuscript sources. Finally, some observations are offered concerning the geographical distribution of Hebrew formulae in the runic corpus.