Three Hebrew Seals

Abstract

The following three seals, of unknown provenance, are from the collection of General M. Dayan.! 1. A perforated scaraboid of limestone measuring 15 X 13 X 9 mm. (Fig. 1; PI. 30: 1). The inscription has two lines, divided by a double stroke: (Belonging to) Benayahu ';):l (son of) Geri. ,.,,, Both are common Hebrew names. For Benayahu, see Ene. Miqr. II:262 f. Geri is a hypoooristicon of Geriyahu; it is also known from a Hebrew seal (Avigad 1969:4) and appears in the Bible as Gera (see Ene. Miqr. II:543-550). The small stroke or half-circle at the end of the second line may indicate the abbreviation.2 The letters are well executed in the formal cursive script of the late 8th and 7th centuries B.C.£. 2. A perforated scaraboid of limestone measuring 15 X 13 X 7 mm. (Fig. 2; PI. 30:2). The lower part of the seal is damaged. Of the inscription's two lines, which are divided by a double stroke, only the upper line can be deciphered: (Belonging) to Eldag'~N~ [on ... ] [••.. )] Obviously, the last letter of the name was written III the second line, since its plausible completion is lN a name known from Ugarit (Gordon 1965:2011, 20; 2022,14). The script is similar to that of the previous seal, but less carefully incised. 3. A scarab of white chalk, measuring 15 X 12 X 8 mm. Fig. 3; PI. 30:3-5). The inscription consists of three lines, each successively shorter, in conformance with the shape of the scarab: (Belonging to Zerya'''i~