Title

Donkey domain: Zechariah 9:9 and lexical semantics

Publication Date

Spring 2010

Abstract

Zechariah 9:9 is a well-known prophetic text that recalls Jacob's blessing to Judah in Gen 49:11.1 It is also quoted in two of the NT Gospels as finding its messianic fulfillment in Jesus' triumphal entry to Jerusalem (see Matt 21:5; John 12:15; cf. Mark 11:1-8; Luke 19:28-36).2 Additionally, this text employs an unusual clustering of donkey terms, each of them having a unique semantic range. These terms are part of a lexical field that has not been the subject of analysis in any previous publication to date. Such neglect most likely explains why the semantic nuances of Zech 9:9 are often missed or even distorted in the English biblical translations. In order properly to understand and translate Zech 9:9, one must examine the whole lexical field for terms referring to donkeys.

Keywords

Bible. Zechariah 9-14; Hebrew language--Lexicography;

Publication Title

Journal of Biblical Literature

Volume

129

Issue

1

First Page

105

Last Page

114

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