시간의 시작과 끝을 너머 새로운 지평으로

Abstract

This paper endeavors to elucidate the semiotic, morphological, and historical observations of some Hebrew vocabularies signifying the commencement and culmination of time and space, in the context of the era of return marked by the widespread dissemination of apocalyptic literature and eschatological worldview. The early period of the return, following the exile, stands as one of the most theologically fertile phases in ancient Israel’s history. During this time, the Hebrew language evolved to become more multilayered and diversified, coinciding with the spread of apocalyptic and eschatological thought.
 Upon scrutinizing such terminology, it becomes evident that ancient Israel, within the purview of apocalyptic eschatology, embraced and assimilated foreign linguistic elements on the one hand, while reinterpreting and infusing distinctive expressions with signification on the other. Some terms like קץand אחרית, for example, signifying the end of time, and ראשית,ראש,קדם, representing the beginning of time, reveal the theological development during this era in multilayered ways. New terminology that crosses the the boundaries of time and space also emerged during the era of return. ‘Island’(אי) signifies Israel’s expansion of awareness beyond geographical limits. Additionally, the loanword סוף, imported Aramaic term, clearly denoted the end of eschatological time, while the Persian loanword פרדס did not yield such meaning. This multifaceted and diversified nature reveals that the documents of ancient Israel were shaped through continuous dialogue and interchange with external influences.