@article{ART003322302},
author={Yoonee Ahn},
title={The Long-Term Process of Hebrew Script in Light of Recent Epigraphic Discoveries: From Proto-Sinaitic Beginnings to Iron Age Standardization},
journal={Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies},
issn={1229-0521},
year={2026},
volume={32},
number={01},
pages={234-262},
doi={10.24333/jkots.2026.32.01.234}
TY - JOUR
AU - Yoonee Ahn
TI - The Long-Term Process of Hebrew Script in Light of Recent Epigraphic Discoveries: From Proto-Sinaitic Beginnings to Iron Age Standardization
JO - Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies
PY - 2026
VL - 32
IS - 01
PB - Korean Society of Old Testament Studies
SP - 234
EP - 262
SN - 1229-0521
AB - This study reexamines the origins and development of Hebrew inscriptions within the broader Northwest Semitic continuum. By analyzing three chronological horizons—formative (Proto-Sinaitic, Mount Ebal, Tel Lachish), transitional (Izbet Ṣarṭah abecedary, Khirbet Qeiyafa ostracon, Gezer Calendar), and standardized (Iron Age II inscriptions such as Lachish Letters, Arad, Samaria, and Siloam)—the research demonstrates that Hebrew script did not emerge abruptly but rather followed a layered and cumulative trajectory. The formative stage reflects experimental alphabetic adaptations in Canaanite contexts; the transitional stage reveals both archaic spellings and emergent Hebrew-related features; and the standardized stage shows the consolidation of Hebrew orthography across administrative, military, and religious domains. This diachronic framework highlights the gradual crystallization of Hebrew writing traditions and situates them within the cultural and linguistic matrix of the southern Levant.
KW - Hebrew inscriptions; Proto-Sinaitic; Gezer Calendar; Khirbet Qeiyafa; Izbet Ṣarṭah; Hebrew script origins; Northwest Semitic epigraphy
DO - 10.24333/jkots.2026.32.01.234
ER -
Yoonee Ahn. (2026). The Long-Term Process of Hebrew Script in Light of Recent Epigraphic Discoveries: From Proto-Sinaitic Beginnings to Iron Age Standardization. Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies, 32(01), 234-262.
Yoonee Ahn. 2026, "The Long-Term Process of Hebrew Script in Light of Recent Epigraphic Discoveries: From Proto-Sinaitic Beginnings to Iron Age Standardization", Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies, vol.32, no.01 pp.234-262. Available from: doi:10.24333/jkots.2026.32.01.234
Yoonee Ahn "The Long-Term Process of Hebrew Script in Light of Recent Epigraphic Discoveries: From Proto-Sinaitic Beginnings to Iron Age Standardization" Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies 32.01 pp.234-262 (2026) : 234.
Yoonee Ahn. The Long-Term Process of Hebrew Script in Light of Recent Epigraphic Discoveries: From Proto-Sinaitic Beginnings to Iron Age Standardization. 2026; 32(01), 234-262. Available from: doi:10.24333/jkots.2026.32.01.234
Yoonee Ahn. "The Long-Term Process of Hebrew Script in Light of Recent Epigraphic Discoveries: From Proto-Sinaitic Beginnings to Iron Age Standardization" Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies 32, no.01 (2026) : 234-262.doi: 10.24333/jkots.2026.32.01.234
Yoonee Ahn. The Long-Term Process of Hebrew Script in Light of Recent Epigraphic Discoveries: From Proto-Sinaitic Beginnings to Iron Age Standardization. Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies, 32(01), 234-262. doi: 10.24333/jkots.2026.32.01.234
Yoonee Ahn. The Long-Term Process of Hebrew Script in Light of Recent Epigraphic Discoveries: From Proto-Sinaitic Beginnings to Iron Age Standardization. Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies. 2026; 32(01) 234-262. doi: 10.24333/jkots.2026.32.01.234
Yoonee Ahn. The Long-Term Process of Hebrew Script in Light of Recent Epigraphic Discoveries: From Proto-Sinaitic Beginnings to Iron Age Standardization. 2026; 32(01), 234-262. Available from: doi:10.24333/jkots.2026.32.01.234
Yoonee Ahn. "The Long-Term Process of Hebrew Script in Light of Recent Epigraphic Discoveries: From Proto-Sinaitic Beginnings to Iron Age Standardization" Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies 32, no.01 (2026) : 234-262.doi: 10.24333/jkots.2026.32.01.234
