A New Aramaic Dedicatory Inscription from Israel

Abstract

The authors publish a fragmentary Aramaic dedicatory inscription, probably from the region of Jericho, notable for the unusual title, resh ẓibbura, “leader of the community”. All aspects of the inscription are analyzed, including syntax and palaeography. The text can be translated as follows: ‘… which Zyyg, the son of Mari, the Head of the Community of … (Jericho? Ariach? Diran? ‘our dwelling’?), had built, and [i.e., together with] Shalti and Rabbi and his wife.’