Cultural History through a Semantic Prism: Length Measures in Jewish Culture in the Hellenistic Period

Abstract

Abstract Since a semantic field can reflect a specific mind set behind a linguistic situation, it shines light on the ideals of native speakers of the language under study. Here, Semantic fields of length measures in the Hebrew language of the Mishnaic period are investigated and the findings are compared to the facts known from other sources. On the basis of a semantic field analysis of the measuring units existing in Mishnaic Hebrew, it is clear that the social and cultural life of the Jews in the Land of Israel from the second century B.C.E. through the third century C.E. was re-organized and renewed; connections between different parts of the country were strengthened. This dramatic change was the result of pressure from Greek and Persian cultures. This conclusion fits well with historical data.