Complete
Linguistic features:
Formulae:
Quotations from literary texts:
Dating:
AD 400
-
AD 499
Language:
Jewish Palestinian Aramaic
Monumental:
Medium:
mosaic
Visible:
Accessible:
Has figural depiction:
Has iconoclastic damage:
Activities commemorated:
mosaic panel
Funds:
Price:
Placement:
East aisle
People mentioned:
Description
date: 400 CE to 499 CE description: The Aramaic inscription is written within a medallion, located in the east aisle (Area 3000, Square SW 3/5). There are remains of female or angels’ faces on each side of the circle with the text. This fragment that was first revealed is a central part of a symmetrical composition, forming a separate square panel. The inscription is encircled with is a wreath crowned with a male face. The wreath is held up by four male figures (atlantes?) placed in each corner of the panel. ed. IIP huqo0001 וברוכי]ן] כל בני העיר] שהן] מתח [זקי]ן בכל מצות כן יהא [עמלכן ואמ [ן ס]ל [ה [ש]ל [ום] 'And blessed [are all the people of the town] who adhere to all commandments. So may be your labor and Ame[n Se]la[h][P]eace' commentary: Although only partially preserved, the inscription likely commemorates the construction of the synagogue by blessing those who adhere to Jewish commandments (the mitzvot) or, alternatively, those who made charitable donations. David Amit (2013) translated the partially reconstructed phrase מתחזקין בכל מצות as “adhere to all commandments,” which he interpreted as referring to the performance of legal-ritual prescriptions. But this collocation may instead refer to the fulfilment of charitable pledges for the construction or repair of the synagogue. Magness, Jodi, Shua Kisilevitz, Matthew Grey, Chad Spigel, and Brian Coussens. “Huqoq - 2012 (Preliminary Report).” Hadashot Arkheologiyot. Excavations and Surveys in Israel 125 (2013). http://www.hadashot-esi.org.il/Report_Detail_Eng.aspx?id=3331 Amit, D. 2013, Mosaic Inscription from a Synagogue at Horvat Huqoq. Bible History Daily, January 2. https://www. biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-artifacts/ inscriptions/mosaic-inscription-from-a-synagogue- at-horvat-huqoq. Magness, J., et alii., 2018, The Huqoq Excavation Project: 2014–2017 Interim Report, Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research 380: 96-97. https://library.brown.edu/iip/viewinscr/huqo0001/
Author:
Tomasz Barański
Added by:
Martyna
Created:
2023-03-02 13:45:55
Last update:
2024-01-20 10:47:40
Building:
Synagogue
Site:
Huqoq; Yaquq
Dimensions: surface: cm
Condition: The Aramaic inscription is written within a medallion, located in the east aisle (Area 3000, Square SW 3/5). There are remains of female or angels’ faces on each side of the circle with the text. This fragment that was first revealed is a central part of a symmetrical composition, forming a separate square panel. The inscription is encircled with is a wreath crowned with a male face. The wreath is held up by four male figures (atlantes?) placed in each corner of the panel.
Text:
Date: 400 CE - 499 CE
Findspot: Unknown
Original location: Palestina Huqoq (Yaquq) 32.884722, 35.478889 Synagogue East aisle
Current repository: Unknown
Text type: mosaic inscription
Summary:
Dedicatory inscription on mosaic in JPA script from Huqoq (Yaquq). 400 CE - 499 CE.
Changes history: 2023-03-02 Tomasz Barański Creation; 2024-01-20 Martyna Swierk Last modification; 2024-01-20 Martyna Swierk Preparation of EpiDoc file
Publication details: University of Warsaw; Warsaw;
Available under licence CC-BY 4.0
; @2021Translation
'And blessed [are all the people of the town] who adhere to all commandments. So may be your labor and Ame[n Se]la[hP]eace'
Commentary
Although only partially preserved, the inscription likely commemorates the construction of the synagogue by blessing those who adhere to Jewish commandments (the mitzvot) or, alternatively, those who made charitable donations. David Amit (2013) translated the partially reconstructed phrase מתחזקין בכל מצות as “adhere to all commandments,” which he interpreted as referring to the performance of legal-ritual prescriptions. But this collocation may instead refer to the fulfilment of charitable pledges for the construction or repair of the synagogue.
Bibliography
- J., Magness, S., Kisilevitz, M., Grey, Ch., Spigel, B., Coussens 2013, Huqoq - 2012 (Preliminary Report), Hadashot Arkheologiyot. Excavations and Surveys in Israel 125. D., Amit, 2013, Mosaic Inscription from a Synagogue at Horvat Huqoq, Bible History Daily, January 2. J., Magness et alii., 2018, The Huqoq Excavation Project: 2014–2017 Interim Report, Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research 380, 96-97.