Wright State University
Religion
This dissertation investigates the variable use of the object preposition ʾet in Biblical Hebrew as an example of Differential Object Marking. Two categories of variation were examined. Asymmetric case alternations involve the variation... more
Definiteness is a complicated category that has attracted the attention of philosophers and logicians in addition to linguists. While a core set of prototypical functions of the definite article are common cross- linguistically, the... more
The use of the object marker את in Biblical Hebrew is an example of a Differential Object Marking (DOM) system in which marking is optional for a certain set of object phrases. Along with the other “prose particles” ה (def) and אשר (rel),... more
Handout to accompany "Object Marking in Biblical Hebrew Poetry" presented at SBL Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA 2014
- by Peter Bekins
Many of the early first-millenium Northwest Semitic languages featured Differential Object Marking (DOM) systems, in which only some grammatical objects are overtly marked. While DOM systems are similar cross-linguistically, the exact... more
Studies of the object marker *ʾyt in Northwest Semitic have been largely concerned with its origin and etymology, but the function of the object marker has been poorly understood. While the use of the object marker may be optional, the... more
This article argues that the contrasting attitudes toward tricksterism in Genesis 38 and 39 are relevant to the position of these chapters in the overlapping Jacob and Joseph narratives. The juxtaposition of Genesis 38 and 39 invites... more
Omission of the definite article is one means by which early biblical poetry distinguishes itself from prose. This difference reflects a split between a common Northwest Semitic poetic tradition that is more conservative and the emergence... more
Omission of the definite article is one means by which early biblical poetry distinguishes itself from prose. This difference reflects a split between a common Northwest Semitic poetic tradition that is more conservative and the emergence... more
Examples to accompany presentation at 2019 SBL Annual meeting in San Diego, CA
- by Peter Bekins
This paper situates Roman actions undertaken against Christians amidst an unofcial pattern of measures employed throughout the imperial period to manage the expanding inuence of freelance religious experts. Questions about the... more
James C. Hanges’ new book raises a number of important questions about what it means to situate Paul’s religious activities within his own historical context, and also models one possible methodology for doing so. In this review, I... more
- by Heidi Wendt
pages cm. -(Brown Judaic studies ; v. 358) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-930675-94-0 (hardcover : alk. paper) -ISBN 978-1-930675-96-4 (electronic book)
This article situates expulsions of Jews/Judeans from Rome within a broader pattern of legislation aimed at freelance experts in foreign or otherwise novel religious teachings and practices. Such experts proliferated in the early imperial... more
Spiritual Taxonomies and Ritual Authority offers a textured account of third-century intellectuals, defined broadly, and makes several productive contributions to the study of late ancient religion. Exploring how Platonically-inclined... more
- by Heidi Wendt