Abstract
Hapax legomena in general, and the nomenclature of fauna in particular, are not easily or smoothly identified. Many animal names that appear only once or twice in the Bible, with no further zoological information, have caused confusion among Bible translators. The wish to translate and interpret the Bible in its entirety led translators and commentators to use different methods in order to render obscure animal names. The list of unclean birds in Leviticus 11 provides a good example of the difficulties in identifying animal names in the Bible. The various ways in which medieval Biblical commentators tackled this difficulty are examined, with the focus on a Judeo-Arabic biblical glossary found in an early Geniza manuscript (MS T-S Ar. 31.243). This glossary, which provides us a rare glimpse into the zoological aspects of lexicology in Judeo-Arabic biblical exegesis, is of particular interest because its identifications of most birds differ from those found in other translations.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
