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Re: orion Word "KITTIM"
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Orion List wrote:
> Date: Sun, 19 Oct 1997 13:41:26 -0400
> To: orion@mscc.huji.ac.il
> From: David Goldman <davic@pop.erols.com>
> Subject: Word "KITTIM"
>
> Since I have not seen the scrolls published in Hebrew, I assume the
> word
> KITTIM is spelled kaf-yud-tav-yud-mem. I would be interested in the
> etymology of the word in relation to the Romans. I noticed that in the
>
> Midrashim the word is used interchangeably with KITOT, meaning
> "groups".
> Any comments? Much appreciated!
4Q285 shows a kaf-tau-yod...and apparantly a mem in the lacuna.My
understanding is that it is the Hebrew word for "Cyprus" and
almost certainly designated the Romans who came from the West
from the direction of Cyprus. The context of its usage throughout
the scrolls is consistent with the Romans.
I could see where the term could have been applied, in the Mishnaic
period to refer to gentiles, or non-Jewish "groups" in the Midrashim but
would suspect that is an etymological development of the word subsequent
to its usage in the 2nd Temple period.
Jack
--
D’man dith laych idneh d’nishMA nishMA
Jack Kilmon (jpman@accesscomm.net)
http://users.accesscomm.net/scriptorium