Save

The Verb גער “to Exorcize” in Qumran Aramaic and Beyond

In: Dead Sea Discoveries
Author:
Jan Joosten Faculté de Théologie Protestante, Université de Strasbourg joosten@unistra.fr

Search for other papers by Jan Joosten in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
Download Citation Get Permissions

Access options

Get access to the full article by using one of the access options below.

Institutional Login

Log in with Open Athens, Shibboleth, or your institutional credentials

Login via Institution

Purchase

Buy instant access (PDF download and unlimited online access):

$40.00

In the Genesis Apocryphon (1Q20 20:28–29) the verb גער “to rebuke” refers to the expelling of an impure spirit. A similar usage occurs in later magical amulets. Developing the hunch of earlier scholars such as Felix Klein-Franke and André Caquot, the present paper argues that the verb גער acquired a specialized meaning “to exorcize” because of the frequent use of Zech 3:2 in exorcisms. The usage is “delocutive”, גער means: “to say: ‘May the Lord rebuke you.’ ”

Content Metrics

All Time Past 365 days Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 451 63 3
Full Text Views 218 0 0
PDF Views & Downloads 56 1 0