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

Updated by: 
Neta Rozenblit
Research notes: 
NR\Reader Checked\17/12/2014
Reference type: 
Journal Article
Author(s): 
Joosten, Jan
year: 
2014
Full title: 

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

Journal / Book Title || Series Title: 
Dead Sea Discoveries
Volume: 
21
Issue / Series Volume: 
3
Abbreviated Series Name: 
DSD
Publisher: 
Brill
Pages: 
347-355
Work type: 
Essay/Monograph
Abstract: 

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.’ ”

Hebrew bible: 
Book: 
Zechariah
Chapter(s): 
3
Verse(s): 
2
Primary Texts: Judean Desert Documents: 
Scroll / Document: 
1Q20
Section type: 
Column
Passage: 
20:28-29
URL: 
http://booksandjournals.brillonline.com/content/journals/10.1163/15685179-12341329;jsessionid=2ijv6q2nxmxd6.x-brill-live-03
Label: 
12/01/2015
Record number: 
99 471