tṣṭ
Complete
Linguistic features:
Formulae:
Quotations from literary texts:
Dating:
AD 501
-
AD 800
Language:
Syriac
Monumental:
Medium:
stone
Visible:
Accessible:
Has figural depiction:
Has iconoclastic damage:
Activities commemorated:
Funds:
Price:
Placement:
the crypt (Raum 623)
People mentioned:
Description
date: 6th -8th century CE description: Syriac inscription on a piece of limestone, excavated in the crypt (Raum 623). The letters are almost 6 cm high. ed. Maiberger 1983: 167-168 ܬܨܛ tṣṭ translation: 400+90+90=499 commentary: Three letters are not understandable as a single Syriac word. The editor suggest it might be interpreted as abbreviation, for instance, in similar way as the inscription from Deir Sim’an, where Alaf-Bet-Qof stands for ʾ(bbā) – “Father”, b(ʿrā) – “Son”, (rūḥā) q(adīšā) – “Holy Spirit”. The most appropriate interpretation, however, is a cryptogram that uses isopsephy, i.e. the numerical value of letters added together. These three Syriac letters sum up to 499, which is identical to the numerical value of Greek phrase: εἰς Θεός (5+10+200+9+5+70+200=499). This Greek phrase was commonly engraved at a number of sites: Surqanya, Borg Haidar, Kwaro, Mugr Ramadan, Umm er-Regim, Umm šaršuh, Liftaya, Kfar eš-šams, Umm er-Rumman, Umm eg-Gimal, Ni’ane, Bu Zgar. This Greek phrase appears in the entrance to a church, private house, tomb or city gate. Maiberger P. 1983, Die syrischen Inschriften als Quelle zur Geshichte der Nestorianer in Palästina (in) Fritz V., Kempinski A., Ergebnisse Der Ausgrabungen Auf Der Hirbet El-Msas (Tel Masos) 1972-1975: Teil I, p. 158-185. Fritz V., Kempinski A. 1983, Ergebnisse Der Ausgrabungen Auf Der Hirbet El-Msas (Tel Masos) 1972-1975: Teil I: Textband. Teil II: Tafelband. Teil III: Plane. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz.
Author:
Tomasz Barański
Added by:
Martyna
Created:
2023-07-26 18:27:21
Last update:
2024-01-25 18:42:20
Building:
Nestorian(?) monastery
Dimensions: surface: cm
Condition: Syriac inscription on a piece of limestone, excavated in the crypt (Raum 623).
Text: Letter height almost 6 cm
Date: 501 CE - 800 CE
6th -8th century CE
Findspot: Unknown
Original location: Palestina Tel Masos (Khirbet al-Msas; Hirbet el-Mšaš) 31.1247, 34.5800 Nestorian(?) monastery the crypt (Raum 623)
Current repository: Unknown
Text type: fragmentary inscription
Summary:
Inscription in Syriac script from Tel Masos (Khirbet al-Msas; Hirbet el-Mšaš). 501 CE - 800 CE.
Changes history: 2023-07-26 Tomasz Barański Creation; 2024-01-25 Martyna Swierk Last modification; 2024-01-25 Martyna Swierk Preparation of EpiDoc file
Publication details: University of Warsaw; Warsaw;
Available under licence CC-BY 4.0
; @2021Translation
400+90+90=499
Commentary
Three letters are not understandable as a single Syriac word. The editor suggest it might be interpreted as abbreviation, for instance, in similar way as the inscription from Deir Sim’an, where Alaf-Bet-Qof stands for ʾ(bbā) – “Father”, b(ʿrā) – “Son”, (rūḥā) q(adīšā) – “Holy Spirit”. The most appropriate interpretation, however, is a cryptogram that uses isopsephy, i.e. the numerical value of letters added together. These three Syriac letters sum up to 499, which is identical to the numerical value of Greek phrase: εἰς Θεός (5+10+200+9+5+70+200=499). This Greek phrase was commonly engraved at a number of sites: Surqanya, Borg Haidar, Kwaro, Mugr Ramadan, Umm er-Regim, Umm šaršuh, Liftaya, Kfar eš-šams, Umm er-Rumman, Umm eg-Gimal, Ni’ane, Bu Zgar. This Greek phrase appears in the entrance to a church, private house, tomb or city gate.
Bibliography (edition)
- P., Maiberger, 1983, Die syrischen Inschriften als Quelle zur Geschichte der Nestorianer in Palästina, [in:] Fritz V., Kempinski A. Ergebnisse Der Ausgrabungen Auf Der Hirbet El-Msas (Tel Masos) 1972-1975: Teil I, Wiesbaden, 167–168.
Bibliography
- V., Fritz, A., Kempinski, 1983, Ergebnisse Der Ausgrabungen Auf Der Hirbet El-Msas (Tel Masos) 1972-1975: Teil I: Textband. Teil II: Tafelband. Teil III: Plane, Wiesbaden.