Thwarting the ‘Evil Eye’
Psḥʾ Through the Prism of Achaemenid Aramaic Sources
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 20249666 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Gad Barnea (0000-0001-5144-5761, University of Haifa, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 1 |
| Publication date | 2025-12-19 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Religions (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444 |
| Publisher | MDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT) |
| DOI | 10.3390/rel17010001 |
| OpenAlex | W7116122153 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 35 |
The Aramaic term psḥ(ʾ) and its possible relation to the Hebrew psḥ (recorded in the Hebrew Bible) are associated with “the Passover” feast in Judaism and Samaritanism and, by extension, with Easter in Christianity. This lexeme is exceedingly rare in extra-biblical sources and my goal with the present article is to closely examine the only two unambiguous sources available to us—both of which are found on Aramaic ostraca associated with the Yahwistic community at Elephantine and both share an acute sense of impending trepidation and anxiety. The article is divided into two parts. The first offers a new epigraphic analysis of the two ostraca on which this term appears—building upon a recent publication of one and offering a new publication: reconstruction, translation, and detailed commentary of the other. The second presents a multifaceted analysis—combining etymological and contextual data with insights from social psychology, archeology, and anthropology—supporting the connection of the term psḥ(ʾ) with apotropaic magic rituals tied to the fear of evil-eye, disease, malicious spirits, demons, curses, etc. Finally, insights from these first-hand documents are applied to the ongoing debate regarding the origins and etymology of the term psḥ(ʾ) and its use in the biblical narrative
Etymology · Hebrew · Lexeme · Prism · Ancient Near East History · Archaeology and Historical Studies · Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies
The Psychology of Rituals
Adversaria semitica
How Pesaḥ and Maṣṣot Became Connected with the Exodus
The Forgotten Female Figurines of Elephantine
Novel Perspectives on Communication Practices in Antiquity
The Migration of the Elephantine Yahwists under Amasis II
The Date of the Arrival of the Judeans at Elephantine and the Foundation of Their Colony
Alliances and Ritual Ecstasy
Justice at the House of Yhw(h)
Deciphering Arachosian Tribute at Persepolis
The Old Iranian Calendars Again
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |