Abstract

CHIA, Philip S.. The mysterious Hebrew word שרקים in Zechariah 1:8. Verbum Eccles. (Online) [online]. 2023, vol.44, n.1, pp.1-4. ISSN 2074-7705.  https://doi.org/10.4102/VE.V44I1.2764.

The Hebrew word —“——•– in Zechariah 1:8 is a mysterious word. The disappearance of the Hebrew word —“——•– in Zechariah 1:8 from the rest of the Book of Zechariah and the unknown meaning of —“——•– itself are the reasons for this mystery. Zechariah 1:8 does not only abandon two colours: the black horses and the spotted (dappled) horses but also this verse adds —“——•– or the sorrel ones, which are not recorded in Zechariah 6:2-3 and 6:6-7. The appearance of —“——•– in Zechariah 1:8, therefore, creates disagreement colours with Zechariah 6:2-3 and 6:6-7. In addition, Gelston states that the Hebrew word —“——•– is probably unknown to the ancient translators. This unknown meaning causes different translations of —“——•– in ancient texts. This article, thus, attempts to unveil this mystery with textual criticism as its methodology. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This research emphasises on the importance of textual criticism to unveil the unknown meaning of —•– in Zechariah 1:8.

Keywords : textual criticism; lexical analysis; Zechariah; Old Testament; Semitic languages.

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