Here is a very tentative question: Is there a relationship of definitions as well possibly as of geography in the place names Secaca and Qumran?
Here is some background on the question that I consider tentative (unlike, e.g., the relationship of the Greek name Ossaioi with the Hebrew root 'asah that I consider ineluctable). Joan E. Taylor contributed a very interesting article, "Khirbet Qumran in the Nineteenth Century and the Name of the Site," Palestine Exploration Quarterly 134 (2002) 144-164. I reread it lately, in part because the review of J. Magness' Qumran archaeology book by Y. Hirschfeld (J. Roman Archaeology 2003) dismissed too quickly--among other things--the possible ancient name for Qumran, Secacah, found in the 3QCopper Scroll (presumably one of the first century CE Qumran Essene mss). The Arabic name Khirbet Qumran (and Wadi Qumran) has been idenified as, or suggested as, the same place as Kh. and Wadi Secaca by various scholars (cf. J. Lefkovits, The Copper Scroll, p. 183-4, and add Hanan Eshel in IEJ--more bibliography on request). Briefly--though her article deserves to be read in full--Taylor suggests the meaning, from Aramaic, for Qumran, of "belt." She argues that the Khirbet name followed the Wadi name; but I think that is not certain, but based on one interpretation of F. de Sauly's somewhat mixed-up search for a large size Gomorrah (plus, his original French edition Atlas with a "pays des Esseniens" located [according to E. Puech in BASOR] might be worth considering--Duke's copy is lost). And why would "belt" apply to that wadi more than others? Briefly, again, might the two terms overlap somewhat along the lines of belt, girdle, hedge, enclosure (Succah), cloister? Might the Historical Dictionary of the Hebrew Language (which I don't have electronic access to) have any relevant information? Has a possible relationship between the placename meanings been discussed before? Are there other Syriac uses of the nearby archaeologically-connected place name (Kh. and Ras) Fashkha in addition to (i.e., since) Payne-Smith 1903, 467 on "something torn off" that can refer to (Taylor p. 162) "even a sect"? thanks, best wishes, Stephen Goranson Durham NC _______________________________________________ g-Megillot mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mailman.McMaster.CA/mailman/listinfo/g-megillot
