The Emphatic Article ה and the Origin of Nomina Sacra

In exploring the origins and significance of nomina sacra within early Christian texts, we must delve into the linguistic practices of ancient Aramaic and Hebrew, particularly how certain divine names and titles were distinguished. This journey takes us through the intriguing use of the emphatic article ה and its potential connection to the development of nomina sacra.

The Divine Man in Samaritan Aramaic

One fascinating example is the term אישה (Ishah), used in the Samaritan Targum to denote the divine Man. This term appears in passages like Genesis 32:24, where the Samaritan Targum refers to the man who wrestles with Jacob as אישה. Another instance is found in Exodus 32:1, where “Moses the man” (משה האיש) is rendered as “the Man Moses” (אישה משה). The suffix ה in these contexts serves as an Aramaic marker of determination, analogous to the Hebrew definite article ה prefixed to words.

The Emphatic Article ה

The use of the emphatic article in Aramaic is particularly noteworthy. In Aramaic, the definite article is suffixed as -a (often represented as א but can also be ה). This serves a similar function to the prefixed ה in Biblical Hebrew, marking a noun as definite and sometimes carrying additional connotations of special status or sanctity. For instance, in the Samaritan Targum, אישה with the emphatic article signifies a divine emissary or angel, distinguishing this "man" from an ordinary human being.

The Name שמה

Another significant example is the divine name שמה (Shema), used by the Samaritans as a reverential substitute for Yahweh. This practice contrasts with the Jewish use of השם (Hashem) for the same purpose. Rabbinic literature often viewed שמה with suspicion, suggesting it represented a second god revered by the Samaritans, referred to as ‘Ashema’. This interpretation can be traced back to early Christian texts like the Disputation between Jason and Papiscus and even appears in the writings of Church Fathers.

The Function of the Emphatic Article in Nomina Sacra

The emphatic article ה serves a crucial role in distinguishing divine nouns from ordinary ones, a function mirroring that of the overbar in nomina sacra. Nomina sacra are abbreviated sacred names in early Christian manuscripts, marked with an overbar to denote their sanctity and special status. For example, the name ις (Jesus) is rendered as ι̅ς̅, with the overbar signifying its sacred nature.

The use of the emphatic article in Samaritan Aramaic suggests a precursor to this practice. Just as אישה and שמה use the emphatic article to denote a special or divine status, the overbar in nomina sacra highlights the sacredness of names like Jesus (ι̅ς̅) and Christ (χ̅ς̅). This parallel suggests that early Christian scribes may have adopted a similar strategy from Jewish and Samaritan traditions to convey the holiness and reverence due to these names.

Conclusion

The connection between the emphatic article ה in Samaritan Aramaic and the development of nomina sacra in early Christian texts provides a fascinating insight into how linguistic practices can shape religious expression. By examining the use of אישה and שמה, we see a precedent for marking divine names with special symbols or articles, a tradition that early Christians adapted with the overbar in nomina sacra. This linguistic heritage underscores the continuity and adaptation of sacred language across different religious traditions, highlighting the deep roots of early Christian practices in the broader Jewish and Samaritan context.