Unraveling Hebrew shaʿaṭnez

Hebrew שַׁעַטְנֵז, which refers to a mixed fabric, occurs only in Lev 19:19 and Deut 22:11 in prohibitions of various mixtures. Its meaning is clear, but its etymology has hitherto eluded a convincing explanation. I propose that, as a word denoting a hybrid of materials, שַׁעַטְנֵז is a lexical blen...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Biblical literature
Main Author: Noonan, Benjamin J. 1981- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Scholar's Press [2016]
In: Journal of Biblical literature
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Bible. Levitikus 19,19 / Bible. Deuteronomium 22,11 / Hebrew language / Noun / shaʿaṭnez / Contamination (Technology) (Word formation)
IxTheo Classification:BH Judaism
HB Old Testament
Further subjects:B Jews
B Semitic languages
B PORTMANTEAU words
B Etymology
B ANIMAL species
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Parallel Edition:Non-electronic
Description
Summary:Hebrew שַׁעַטְנֵז, which refers to a mixed fabric, occurs only in Lev 19:19 and Deut 22:11 in prohibitions of various mixtures. Its meaning is clear, but its etymology has hitherto eluded a convincing explanation. I propose that, as a word denoting a hybrid of materials, שַׁעַטְנֵז is a lexical blend. Its two source words are שַׁאַת* and עִנְז*, the early Hebrew forms of the Semitic words for “ewe” (*ṯaʾat) and “goat” (*ʿanz/*ʿinz), respectively. The resulting blend originally referred to a mixture of sheep and goat wool but was subsequently generalized to designate any mixed fabric, which is precisely what שַׁעַטְנֵז means in Lev 19:19 and Deut 22:11.
ISSN:1934-3876
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of Biblical literature
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.15699/jbl.1351.2016.3028