When Left is not Right: אטר יד ימינו in its Literary and Linguistic Contexts

The common translation of אטר יד ימינו (Judg 3,15; 20,16) as "left-handed due to a non-functioning right hand" was known in Tannaitic Hebrew and is supported by modern arguments based on Arabic cognates of Hebrew ’-ṭ-r and the morphology of ’iṭṭēr. An examination of this translation and su...

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Bibliographic Details
Subtitles:When Left is not Right$dʾṭr yd ymînû in its Literary and Linguistic Contexts
Main Author: Zevit, Ziony 1942- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Peeters [2020]
In: Biblica
Year: 2020, Volume: 101, Issue: 2, Pages: 186-207
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Bible. Judge 3,15 / Bible. Judge 20,16 / Hebrew language / Expression / Left-handedness / Ambidextrosity
B Hebrew writing
IxTheo Classification:HA Bible
HB Old Testament
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Description
Summary:The common translation of אטר יד ימינו (Judg 3,15; 20,16) as "left-handed due to a non-functioning right hand" was known in Tannaitic Hebrew and is supported by modern arguments based on Arabic cognates of Hebrew ’-ṭ-r and the morphology of ’iṭṭēr. An examination of this translation and supporting arguments finds them wanting. This study provides an alternative interpretation based on literary considerations and linguistics. It concludes that the phrase is best translated by "ambidextrous" and that in Biblical Hebrew it refers to ambidextrous slingers and archers. To reach these conclusions, this study also draws on research into handedness and on educating for ambidexterity.
ISSN:2385-2062
Contains:Enthalten in: Biblica
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.2143/BIB.101.2.3288261