5: Arabic and Hebrew Place Names: Linguistic Layers and Cultural Interaction

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1. Introduction

The land of Israel is characterised by a rich tapestry of place names reflecting its complex linguistic and cultural history. Hebrew and Arabic toponyms coexist, often layered over one another, revealing centuries of interaction, conquest, and cultural exchange. This article examines the linguistic interplay between Arabic and Hebrew place names, analysing how these toponyms preserve historical continuity while also asserting distinct cultural identities.

2. Linguistic Foundations

Hebrew and Arabic belong to the Semitic language family, sharing vocabulary roots and grammatical structures (Rubin, 2010). This linguistic kinship means many Arabic place names in Israel derive from ancient Hebrew or Canaanite originals, albeit phonetically and morphologically adapted over centuries (Barber, 1997).

3. Preservation of Ancient Names in Arabic Toponymy

Numerous Arabic place names retain echoes of ancient Hebrew names. For example:

  • Be’er Sheva becomes Bir as-Seba (Arabic), preserving the original meaning ‘Well of the Oath’ (Avisar, 2017).
  • Shechem corresponds to Nablus, whose name is derived from the Roman Flavia Neapolis but nearby villages preserve older Semitic roots (Kennedy, 1990).
  • Ein Gedi is rendered as Ayn Jiddi (Arabic), maintaining the reference to a spring or water source.

4. Distinctive Arabic Contributions

Arabic toponyms also introduced new names reflecting Islamic religious and cultural elements, as well as descriptive geographical features (Al-Maqdisi, 10th century). These names often coexisted with or replaced Hebrew originals, reflecting demographic changes and shifts in political authority.

5. Hebrew Revival and Renaming Efforts

With the rise of Zionism and the establishment of Israel, there was a concerted effort to revive or restore Hebrew place names as part of national identity building (Ben-David, 2002). This sometimes involved reinstating biblical names or creating new Hebrew names inspired by ancient roots, occasionally replacing Arabic names still in use.

6. Coexistence and Contestation

Today, many places are known by both Hebrew and Arabic names, reflecting layered identities. The dual naming of locations such as Hebron/Chevron and Jerusalem/Al-Quds embodies both cultural coexistence and ongoing political tensions (Kliot, 2002).

7. Conclusion

The interplay between Arabic and Hebrew place names in Israel highlights the region’s deep historical roots and complex cultural interactions. Understanding these linguistic layers enriches appreciation of the land’s heritage and the identities of its peoples.

References

  • Al-Maqdisi. (10th century). The Geography of the Arabian Peninsula.
  • Avisar, I. (2017). The Jordan River in History and Geography. Tel Aviv University Press.
  • Barber, M. (1997). The Arab World and Its Names. Routledge.
  • Ben-David, G. (2002). The Revival of Hebrew Place Names. Jerusalem: Magnes Press.
  • Kennedy, H. (1990). The Byzantine and Early Islamic Near East. Ashgate.
  • Kliot, N. (2002). Place Names in Israel’s Ideological Struggle. Geographical Review, 92(2), 193–204.
  • Rubin, A. (2010). A Linguistic History of Hebrew. Cambridge University Press.
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