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Document Details :

Title: The Azarba'al Spatula (KAI 3), a Debt Receipt from Ancient Byblos
Subtitle: Linguistic Notes for a New Translation and Interpretation
Author(s): DONNELLY-LEWIS, B.
Journal: Semitica
Volume: 63    Date: 2021   
Pages: 29-43
DOI: 10.2143/SE.63.0.3289895

Abstract :
This study proposes a new translation of the Azarba'al Spatula, predicated on a reanalysis of the first four letters of line 3, nun-shin-bet-taw, which has been, for quite some time, the crux interpretum, prohibiting satisfactory translations of the text as a whole. This reanalysis reads these letters as two words, nš bt 'the debt of the house'. This permits a new interpretation of the text as a 'debt receipt', which, in turn, elucidates the text’s peculiar vocabulary.



Cette étude propose une nouvelle traduction de la spatule d’Azarba'al, basée sur une réanalyse des quatre premières lettres de la ligne 3, nun-shin-bet-taw, qui a été le crux interpretum, interdisant une traduction satisfaisante du texte. Cette nouvelle analyse interprète ces lettres comme deux mots, nš bt «dette de la maison». Cela permet une nouvelle interprétation du texte comme un «reçu de dette», laquelle élucide le vocabulaire particulier du texte.

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