Israelite Educational Sealings 750-600 BCE

At this time each major city in Israel seems to have had a temple. These sealings were placed on pots or packages bound with twine containing ritual supplies created at one of these temples. Some of these supplies were sent out to local households and this opportunity was taken to turn the sealings into a sort of religious news service.

For translation methodology see: How to Translate Alphabetic Akkadian Texts

Random collection of seals dating between 840-610 BCE. These are now at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. Online at: https://www.imj.org.il/en/collections/198071-0

Seals

Israelite seals were both decorative and functional. They were inserted into rings, hung on necklaces, and probably inserted into wooden handles for easy pressing into clay. The colors could have been purely decorative or could have had spiritual correspondences.

Find location not reported. Seal now in Berlin (Number VA 2839). Seal is a short cone made of  opaque bluish-white quartz, 22 x 21 x 12 mm.

Yahu Is Frustrating Astrological Powers Because He Is Manifesting Life From Filtrate (~ 450 BCE)

(May 8, 2023) Image is of a running gazelle indicating prosperity. The planets mentioned in the text are also "patrollers" because the patrol the night sky. The letter style is more squarish than the earlier seals indicating this was created later after the Babylonian exile.

Translation in Akkadian (Levant Text 60.180)

(Read right to left. Capital letters on seal. Small letters are inferred Inner vowels. Verb is italic bold)
  1. Lu  Ya  ESu  UZzu  RaBu (Levant 60.180.1 Text) 
  2. Nu  UBu  ReYu  ESu (Levant 60.180.2 Text) 

(Dual use letters are E/H, I/Y, U/W, and '/A in which vowel appears at beginning of words except for Yahu which is keeping its traditional Hebrew transliteration)

In English. 

  1. Not lacking filtrate is frustrating the authorities (planets) 
  2. The patrolling Revealer (Yahu) is shepherding the filtrate 

Previous Hebrew Translation Attempt

Some Hebrew language scholars claim the text reads just like seals 70 and 71: 

  1. Belonging to Yeho' ezer son
  2. of 'Obadyahu

References

Avigad, Nahman; Sass, Benjamin (1997) Corpus of West Semitic Stamp Seals. Published by THE ISRAEL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES, THE ISRAEL EXPLORATION SOCIETY, THE INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY, and THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM. Online at: https://www.academia.edu/4786835/1997_Avigad_N_revised_and_completed_by_Sass_B_Corpus_of_West_Semitic_stamp_seals_Jerusalem 
Sealing and seal now at Yale's Babylonian Collection in New Haven Connecticut. NCBS 883. Seal made of orange carnelian. 15 .5 x 11 .5 x 6 mm

Full Moon Su's Effects Are Exposed by Lack of New Life (800 to 700 BCE)

(March 25, 2023) This image has an Egyptian theme. The sun which is shown in the center flanked by two cobras which symbolize the powers of life and death. The sun has arms reaching upward towards the source layer where it is gathering the powers of motion represented by the fish.

Translation in Akkadian (Levant Text 60.5)

(Read right to left. Capital letters on seal. Small letters are inferred Inner vowels. Verb is italic bold)
  1. Lu  AṢ  Nu  A'u (Levant Text 60.5.1) 
  2. BaDi  A  EZ (Levant Text 60.5.2) 

(Dual use letters are E/H, I/Y, U/W, and '/A in which vowel appears at beginning of words except for Yahu which is keeping its traditional Hebrew transliteration)

In English. 

  1.  Any-Lack of expulsions will expose the motion-powers. 
  2.  Evening-powers (astrological powers) are from lunar-energy

Previous Hebrew Translation Attempt

Some Hebrew language scholars claim the text reads as follows: 

  1. Belonging to Ushna ser
  2. vant of Ahaz

References

Avigad, Nahman; Sass, Benjamin (1997) Corpus of West Semitic Stamp Seals. Published by THE ISRAEL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES, THE ISRAEL EXPLORATION SOCIETY, THE INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY, and THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM. Online at: https://www.academia.edu/4786835/1997_Avigad_N_revised_and_completed_by_Sass_B_Corpus_of_West_Semitic_stamp_seals_Jerusalem 
Bought in Jerusalem in 1976. Now at Hecht Museum in Haifa (Number REH-OI9). Seal made of brown agate, 14 x 12.5 x 7 mm.

Fate Defined By Astrological Powers (Su) Rules Everything, Even the Filtrate Flow (800 to 700 BCE)

(May 8, 2023)  Su is the full moon god and represents the source of the motion powers. The image represents the five planetary shells (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn) which together govern the astrological powers of fate.

Translation in Akkadian (Levant Text 60.186)

(Read right to left. Capital letters on seal. Small letters are inferred Inner vowels. Verb is italic bold)
  1. Lu  Ya  Su  ALu  Bu (Levant 60.186.1 Text) 
  2. UYa  ESu  PaLu (Levant 60.186.2 Text) 

(Dual use letters are E/H, I/Y, U/W, and '/A in which vowel appears at beginning of words except for Yahu which is keeping its traditional Hebrew transliteration)

In English. 

  1. Not lacking Su nourishes Alu
  2. Fate-curses rule the filtrate

Previous Hebrew Translation Attempt

Some Hebrew language scholars claim the text reads just like seals 70 and 71: 

  1. Belonging to Yo'el son
  2. of Yehukal

References

Avigad, Nahman; Sass, Benjamin (1997) Corpus of West Semitic Stamp Seals. Published by THE ISRAEL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES, THE ISRAEL EXPLORATION SOCIETY, THE INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY, and THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM. Online at: https://www.academia.edu/4786835/1997_Avigad_N_revised_and_completed_by_Sass_B_Corpus_of_West_Semitic_stamp_seals_Jerusalem 
Bought in Jerusalem. Now at Israel Museum in Jerusalem (number 68.35.197). Seal made from  brownish red stone (granite?), 16 x 12 x 8mm.

Without Fertility-Fluids (Filtrate) Life Forms Are Not Manifested (800 to 700 BCE)

(April 21, 2023) Egyptian themed image seems to have the god Hu kneeling on top of the tree-of-life surrounded by his Horus falcon storm form powers. Hu is identified by his headgear consisting of a sun disk and two horns. The falcons are wearing the double crown of Egypt.

Translation in Akkadian (Levant Text 60.126)

(Read right to left. Capital letters on seal. Small letters are inferred Inner vowels. Verb is italic bold)
  1. Lu  Du  Lu   E[S] (Levant Text 60.126.1) 

(Dual use letters are E/H, I/Y, U/W, and '/A in which vowel appears at beginning of words except for Yahu which is keeping its traditional Hebrew transliteration)

In English

  1.  Any-Lack of life-manifestations is from lacking filt[rate]

Previous Hebrew Translation Attempt

Some Hebrew language scholars claim the text reads as follows: 

  1. Belonging to Dala

References

Avigad, Nahman; Sass, Benjamin (1997) Corpus of West Semitic Stamp Seals. Published by THE ISRAEL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES, THE ISRAEL EXPLORATION SOCIETY, THE INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY, and THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM. Online at: https://www.academia.edu/4786835/1997_Avigad_N_revised_and_completed_by_Sass_B_Corpus_of_West_Semitic_stamp_seals_Jerusalem 
Bought in Beirut. Now in Berlin Museum (number VA 766). Seal made from pale amethyst 16 x 12 x 5 mm.

Lack of Life Powers Due To Magically Affecting the Life Network Threads (800 to 700 BCE)

(April 6, 2023) Image is of an Egyptian snake headed lion representing the sun god Hu. On his head is a crown meant to represent the double crown of Egypt, In front of the lion is a symbol of a blocked opening passing through the sky-shell.

Translation in Akkadian (Levant Text 60.44)

(Read right to left. Capital letters on seal. Small letters are inferred Inner vowels. Verb is italic bold)
  1. Lu  A  Bu  A (Levant Text 60.44.1)

(Dual use letters are E/H, I/Y, U/W, and '/A in which vowel appears at beginning of words except for Yahu which is keeping its traditional Hebrew transliteration)

In English. 

  1.  Any-Lack of this (god Hu) is from nourishing these (blocked openings)

Previous Hebrew Translation Attempt

  1. Belonging to Aba

References

Avigad, Nahman; Sass, Benjamin (1997) Corpus of West Semitic Stamp Seals. Published by THE ISRAEL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES, THE ISRAEL EXPLORATION SOCIETY, THE INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY, and THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM. Online at: https://www.academia.edu/4786835/1997_Avigad_N_revised_and_completed_by_Sass_B_Corpus_of_West_Semitic_stamp_seals_Jerusalem 
Find location not reported. Now at the Bible Lands Museum in Jerusalem (Number 1841). Seal made of  slightly translucent white and brown agate, 20 x 15 x 10 mm.

Selu/Selene Is Of The Night Sky (800 - 700 BCE)

(May 8, 2023) Central image is of an Egyptianized sun god Hu (Atum-Re) having a hawk head (rain bringing storm form Horus, Ba'al) and a lion body (sun god Hu, Re). It is winged indicating it belongs to the middle connective layer of the Ancient Pagan Paradigm. It is wearing an abstracted version of the double crown of Egypt indicating it is a deity. It is facing a radiating star having concentric circles which represents Selu/Selene. Between them is the image of a blocked sky-shell opening. Selu is the motion source goddess who represents the sparks of life as the producers of motion. Both stars and animals had this spark of life.

Translation in Akkadian (Levant Text 60.190)

(Read right to left. Capital letters on seal. Small letters are inferred Inner vowels. Verb is italic bold)
  1.  ISsu  U  TaWu (Levant Text 60.190.1) 

(Dual use letters are E/H, I/Y, U/W, and '/A in which vowel appears at beginning of words except for Yahu which is keeping its traditional Hebrew transliteration)

In English 

  1.  The Woman (Selu, Selene) is of the pasture (night sky)

Previous Hebrew Translation Attempt

Some Hebrew language scholars claim the text reads as follows: 

  1. Yonatan

References

Avigad, Nahman; Sass, Benjamin (1997) Corpus of West Semitic Stamp Seals. Published by THE ISRAEL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES, THE ISRAEL EXPLORATION SOCIETY, THE INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY, and THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM. Online at: https://www.academia.edu/4786835/1997_Avigad_N_revised_and_completed_by_Sass_B_Corpus_of_West_Semitic_stamp_seals_Jerusalem 
Find location not reported. Now at Harvard Semitic Museum in Cambridge MA. Seal made of carnelian, 13.5 x 10.5 x 6 mm.

Magick Effective At Controlling Astrological and Life Powers (800 to 700 BCE)

(April 21, 2023)   Image is of a 4-winged Egyptian scarab beetle representing the sun god Hu surrounded by two song birds which seem to represent harbingers of fate.

Translation in Akkadian (Levant Text 60.163)

(Read left because this is the seal and not a clay sealing taken from it. Capital letters on seal. Small letters are inferred Inner vowels. Verb is italic bold)
  1. Ḫu  U  UYu  ESu (Levant Text 60.163.1) 
  2.  AKu  Tu (Levant Text 60.163.2) 

(Dual use letters are E/H, I/Y, U/W, and '/A in which vowel appears at beginning of words except for Yahu which is keeping its traditional Hebrew transliteration)

In English 

  1. Hu and fate-curses can be filtered by
  2. the emotion-owls.

Previous Hebrew Translation Attempt

Some Hebrew language scholars claim the text reads as follows: 

  1. l:Iananyahu
  2. (son of) Emet

References

Avigad, Nahman; Sass, Benjamin (1997) Corpus of West Semitic Stamp Seals. Published by THE ISRAEL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES, THE ISRAEL EXPLORATION SOCIETY, THE INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY, and THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM. Online at: https://www.academia.edu/4786835/1997_Avigad_N_revised_and_completed_by_Sass_B_Corpus_of_West_Semitic_stamp_seals_Jerusalem 

Seal is made of silver, 9 x 7.5 x 4 mm. Bought in Jerusalem. Now at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem (number 68.35.189).

A Happy Land Requires That Eagle-Vultures Be Emotionally Motivated Yet This Is Different From Pushing the Fertility-Fluids (730-650 BCE)

(April 23, 2023)  The style of letter A dates to 600's while style of letter "L" dates to 700's. This indicates a date in the middle.

Translation in Akkadian (Levant Text 60.88)

(Read right to left. Capital letters on seal. Small letters are inferred Inner vowels. Verb is italic bold)
  1. Lu  AGu  Ru  EDu     (Levant Text 60.88.1) 
  2. Šu  Ku  Pu  Ya  ESu (Levant Text 60.88.2) 

(Dual use letters are E/H, I/Y, U/W, and '/A in which vowel appears at beginning of words except for Yahu which is keeping its traditional Hebrew transliteration)

In English. 

  1. Any-Lack of anger is from eagle-vultures being enlightened (motivated)
  2. The same involvement will not be opening the filtrate

Previous Hebrew Translation Attempt

Some Hebrew language scholars claim the text reads as follows: 

  1. Belonging to Eprah, son of 
  2. Semakyahu

References

Avigad, Nahman; Sass, Benjamin (1997) Corpus of West Semitic Stamp Seals. Published by THE ISRAEL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES, THE ISRAEL EXPLORATION SOCIETY, THE INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY, and THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM. Online at: https://www.academia.edu/4786835/1997_Avigad_N_revised_and_completed_by_Sass_B_Corpus_of_West_Semitic_stamp_seals_Jerusalem 
Seal made of hard grey stone, 18 x 13.5 x 9 mm. It was bought in Jerusalem. Now at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem (Number 68.35.188).

A Happy Land Requires Priests And Magic Crafters To Keep Divine Powers Orderly (730-650 BCE)

(April 21, 2023)   This seal has two large unknown signs on its lower left. The style of letter A dates to 600's while style of letter "L" dates to 700's. This indicates a date in the middle.

Translation in Akkadian (Levant Text 60.86)

(Read right to left. Capital letters on seal. Small letters are inferred Inner vowels. Verb is italic bold)
  1. Lu  AGu  Lu  Ya  Bu  U    (Levant Text 60.86.1) 
  2. Ṣu  Ka'u (Levant Text 60.86.2) 

(Dual use letters are E/H, I/Y, U/W, and '/A in which vowel appears at beginning of words except for Yahu which is keeping its traditional Hebrew transliteration)

In English. 

  1. Any-Lack of anger is from not lacking nourishments and
  2. prodded activity 

Previous Hebrew Translation Attempt

Some Hebrew language scholars claim the text reads as follows: 

  1. Belonging to 'ply son of
  2. Shema'

References

Avigad, Nahman; Sass, Benjamin (1997) Corpus of West Semitic Stamp Seals. Published by THE ISRAEL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES, THE ISRAEL EXPLORATION SOCIETY, THE INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY, and THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM. Online at: https://www.academia.edu/4786835/1997_Avigad_N_revised_and_completed_by_Sass_B_Corpus_of_West_Semitic_stamp_seals_Jerusalem 
Allegedly from Lower Egypt. Now at the Oxford, Ashmolean Museum (number AN1889.433). Seal made of Carnelian, 14 x 10 x 7 mm.

Nile Delta: Motion God Su Affects Yahu (700-610 BCE)

(May 25, 2023) The full  moon god Su is adequately pushing and pouring the fertility-fluids (filtrate) through the channels (threads) of the life network. Nothing is being adversely affected.

Translation in Akkadian (Levant Text 60.203)

(Read right to left. Capital letters on seal. Small letters are inferred Inner vowels. Verb is italic bold)
  1. Su  Gi  Qu (Levant Text 60.203.1) making left line on the S has a hand slip resulting in an extra long line
  2. LeYu  RaKu (Levant Text 60.203.2) 
  3. Zu  Su  KaRu  Ya  E (Levant Text 60.203.3) 

(Dual use letters are E/H, I/Y, U/W, and '/A in which vowel appears at beginning of words except for Yahu which is keeping its traditional Hebrew transliteration)

In English 

  1. Su is energizing the threads 
  2. The administrators (astrological powers) are raking
  3. Emanations of Su are not reducing anything

Previous Hebrew Translation Attempt

Some Hebrew language scholars claim the text reads as follows: 

  1. Belonging to Yarim
  2. (son of) Zimriyahu

References

Avigad, Nahman; Sass, Benjamin (1997) Corpus of West Semitic Stamp Seals. Published by THE ISRAEL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES, THE ISRAEL EXPLORATION SOCIETY, THE INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY, and THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM. Online at: https://www.academia.edu/4786835/1997_Avigad_N_revised_and_completed_by_Sass_B_Corpus_of_West_Semitic_stamp_seals_Jerusalem 
Bought in Palestine in 1895, Now is the BN, CM, Inventory Chabouillet in Paris (Number 1050 / 2 = M 1253). Seal made of red porphyry 16 x 13 x 9.5 mm.

During Normal Times Magic Is Not Needed (700-610 BCE)

(May 9, 2023)  Image is of a 4-winged eagle-vulture

Translation in Akkadian (Levant Text 60.194)

(Read right to left. Capital letters on seal. Small letters are inferred Inner vowels. Verb is italic bold)
  1. Lu  Ya  Ḫu  Ku  Lu  Ya  E (Levant Text 60.194.1) 
  2. Tu  Ka'u  Ṣu  Ya  ESu (Levant Text 60.194.2) 

(Dual use letters are E/H, I/Y, U/W, and '/A in which vowel appears at beginning of words except for Yahu which is keeping its traditional Hebrew transliteration)

In English 

  1. Not lacking Hu involves not lacking anything
  2. Magic's prodding is not activating the filtrate

Previous Hebrew Translation Attempt

Some Hebrew language scholars claim the text reads as follows: 

  1. Belonging to Yamolyah-
  2. u (son of) Ma' aseyahu

References

Avigad, Nahman; Sass, Benjamin (1997) Corpus of West Semitic Stamp Seals. Published by THE ISRAEL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES, THE ISRAEL EXPLORATION SOCIETY, THE INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY, and THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM. Online at: https://www.academia.edu/4786835/1997_Avigad_N_revised_and_completed_by_Sass_B_Corpus_of_West_Semitic_stamp_seals_Jerusalem 
Bought in Jerusalem in 1926. Now at a museum in Jerusalem (number IAA J.894). Seal made of red-brown limestone, 17 x 14 x 9 mm.
Ground snakes like cobras often congregated around barns or any place where rats and mice were found. Thus they were associated with fertility despite also being able to cause human deaths. More Egyptian snake information at:  https://historicaleve.com/snakes-in-ancient-egypt/

Prosperity Requires Not Interfering With the Filtrate (710-610 BCE)

(May 9, 2023) Image is of an Egyptian hunter with a winged lion (Hu) hunting cobras which represent fertility as an example of human interference in divine affairs. The text is warning against such interference with the fertility fluids (filtrate) of the life network. This is an example of the deity lordification process in which magic was considered to be such an interference. 

Translation in Akkadian (Levant Text 60.198)

(Read right to left. Capital letters on seal. Small letters are inferred Inner vowels. Verb is italic bold)
  1. Lu  Ya  Qu  Ku (Levant Text 60.198.1) 
  2. Ya  ESu (Levant Text 60.198.2) 

(Dual use letters are E/H, I/Y, U/W, and '/A in which vowel appears at beginning of words except for Yahu which is keeping its traditional Hebrew transliteration)

In English 

  1. Not lacking threads is from not involving
  2. filtrate

Previous Hebrew Translation Attempt

Some Hebrew language scholars claim the text reads as follows: 

  1. Belonging to Yeqamyahu

References

Avigad, Nahman; Sass, Benjamin (1997) Corpus of West Semitic Stamp Seals. Published by THE ISRAEL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES, THE ISRAEL EXPLORATION SOCIETY, THE INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY, and THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM. Online at: https://www.academia.edu/4786835/1997_Avigad_N_revised_and_completed_by_Sass_B_Corpus_of_West_Semitic_stamp_seals_Jerusalem 
Non-Provenanced Israelite Temple Sealing 700-587 BCE
Not Provenanced. Letter assignments by Olmsted

References


Deutsch, Robert (2002) Biblical Archaeology Review, Volume 28, Number 4, July/August, Pp 42-51, 60. Online at: https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/archaeological_center/13/product/lasting_impressions_new_bullae_reveal_egyptianstyle_emblems_on_judahs_royal_seals_by_robert_deutsch/47915/Default.aspx

Motion Powers of Thu Lacking In Mortal-Space (730-650 BCE)

(April 26, 2023) 

Image is of a twisted bolt of yarn representing the veil or sky-shell which separates mortal space from divine space.

Translation in Akkadian (Levant Text 19)

(Read right to left. Capital letters on seal. Small letters are inferred Inner vowels. Verb is italic bold)
  1. Lu  Ṭa  BaṢu  La[Ku]  (Levant Text 19.1)
  2. ṢeRu  EMu  Bu  A  (Levant Text 19.2) 

(Dual use letters are E/H, I/Y, U/W, and '/A in which vowel appears at beginning of words except for Yahu which is keeping its traditional Hebrew transliteration)

In English. 

  1. Any-Lack of Thu wea[kens] the sheer-fabric (night sky)  
  2. Mortal-space is being supervised by those nourishments.

Previous Hebrew Translation Attempt

This was provided by Deutsch without any individual word assignments (2002)

Previous Hebrew Translation Attempt

  1. Lu  ṬoBṢaLaM    (Levant Text 19.1)
  2. ṢREMBA  (Levant Text 19.2) 

In English

  1. BELONGING TO TOBSHALEM 
  2. COMMANDER OF THE ARMY

Robert Deutsch found a similar seal earlier: 


This is actually the second time a bulla impressed with this seal has come to light -- I published the first one, from the Moussaieff Collection, in 1997. Because only part of the first letter of the last word of the inscription was preserved on that first bulla and the rest of the word was missing, I at the time identified Tobshalem's title as "governor of the city." But I was wrong! The missing letters that have come to light on the newly revealed copy of the bulla make it clear that Tobshalem's position was "commander of the army.
Non-Provenanced Israelite Temple Sealing 700-587 BCE

Non-provenanced. Letter assignments by Olmsted

References

Deutsch, Robert. “Lasting Impressions,” Biblical Archaeology Review 28.4 (Jul/Aug 2002): 42-46, 49-51, 60-62. Online at http://members.bib-arch.org/publication.asp?PubID=BSBA&Volume=28&Issue=4&ArticleID=4(accessed 3/20/2016)

Preserving Order by Nourishing Yahu (700-600 BCE)

(May 25, 2023) 

Translation in Akkadian (Levant Text 13)

(Read right to left. Capital letters on seal. Small letters are inferred inner vowels. Verb is italic bold)
  1. Lu  AḪ  Zu  - Ya    (Levant Text 13.1)
  2. ESu  TuKKu  Lu  Bu (Levant Text 13.2) Akkadian word actually has 2 "k"s
  3. YaHu  Du  E (Levant Text 13.3)

(Dual use letters are E/H, I/Y, U/W, and '/A in which vowel appears at beginning of words except for Yahu which is keeping its traditional Hebrew transliteration)

In English. 

  1. Any-Lack of attendants (owls) is from the emanations - Shouldn't
  2. the filtrate be disciplined by the lack of nourishments.
  3. (Otherwise) YaHu (YH) will manifest nothing.

Previous Translation Attempts

Robert Deutsch attempted a Hebrew language translation (Deutsch 2002) which is shown below. Our differing letter assignments are in red (Hebrew scholars treat A and ' as the same letter):  


  1. L  ’ḪZ  •  Y Belonging to Ahaz,  Y
  2. HUTM • MLK hotam • king
  3. YHDH Yehudah (Judah)

 This translates as: “Belonging to Ahaz (son of) Yehotam, King of Judah.”

Failed translation for these reasons:

  1. One word (Yehotam) is split between lines. 
  2. Except for "king" everything is names and names are not a translation because they can be any arbitrary grouping of letters.
  3. Yehudah (Judah) in Hebrew is actually the 5 lettered word יְהוּדָה (YHUDH) having an inner vowel. So not a Hebew text or incorrect word translation.

This is how Deutsch explains away some of the discrepancies in his translation:


The word for “son of” (BN, or ben) is missing from before the name of Ahaz’s father. But this is not unusual on seals. We know from the form of the inscription on innumerable seals that Yeho-tam (placed after Ahaz’s name) is the name of Ahaz’s father—and this is confirmed in the Bible. The word “son” was probably omitted simply for lack of space.

Seal 54 is part of Dr. David Jeselsohn’s collection in Zurich, Switzerland

Back side of sealing 54 showing the cord marks wrapping the temple product it was sent out with.

Defending Traditional Life-Priests (700-600 BCE)

(April 25, 2023)  This seems to be a defense of the traditional priestly class against the prophets pushing submission to a lordified Yahu.

Translation in Akkadian (Levant Text 54)

(Read right to left. Capital letters on seal. Small letters are inferred Inner vowels. Verb is italic bold)
  1. Bu  Mu  ṢiNu  E     (Levant Text 54.1)  Misshapen "M"
  2. Lu  IRu  AYu  ESu (Levant Text 54.2) 
  3. ZaQu  Nu  Ya  E[Su] (Levant Text 54.3) 

(Dual use letters are E/H, I/Y, U/W, and '/A in which vowel appears at beginning of words except for Yahu which is keeping its traditional Hebrew transliteration)

In English. 

  1. Nourishing fertility-fluids is not a sin
  2. Any-Lack of astrological-powers is from Ayu's filtering
  3. The winds (spirits) are not being revealed by the [filter]

Previous Hebrew Translation Attempt

  1. b 19 sˇnh
  2. lyr’yhw
  3. mqnyhw

Which reads as:
  • ‘‘In the 19th year, belonging to Yar6eyahu, (son of) Miqneyahu’’

References


Deutsch, Robert (2015) Ten Unrecorded Hebrew Fiscal Bullae. In RECORDING NEW EPIGRAPHIC EVIDENCE, Essays in Honor of Robert Deutsch on the Occasion of his 65th Birthday, edited by Meir Lubetski and Edith Lubetski
The picture of this in the book (Avigad, Sass) is a mirror image of what is should be for proper letter orientation. Either the negative was reversed during development or this was meant to be a decorative inlay and not a seal. The original seal as it appears in the book is shown below.
This seal was bought in Jerusalem and alleged to have been found in a tomb in its vicinity. Now at Harvard Semitic Museum, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA 
Seal made of red " jasper" (agate?) mottled with white, 11 .5 x 75 x 6 mm.

Rituals of the Life-Priests only Activate Yahu, not Su (700-600 BCE)

(March 24, 2023) 

Translation in Akkadian (Levant Text 60.27)

(Read right to left. Capital letters on seal. Small letters are inferred Inner vowels. Verb is italic bold)
  1. Ku  Qu  Nu  Ya  Su. (Levant Text 60.27.1) 
  2. 'Bu  Du  YaHu.  Su  E. (Levant Text 60.27.2) 

(Dual use letters are E/H, I/Y, U/W, and '/A in which vowel appears at beginning of words except for Yahu which is keeping its traditional Hebrew transliteration)

In English. 

  1.  Involvement in life-threads is not being revealed by Su
  2.  Life-Priests (Fathers) are manifesting YaHu.  Su is not involved.

Previous Hebrew Translation Attempt

Some Hebrew language scholars claim the text reads as follows: 

  1. Miqneyau
  2. servant of Yahweh

References

Avigad, Nahman; Sass, Benjamin (1997) Corpus of West Semitic Stamp Seals. Published by THE ISRAEL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES, THE ISRAEL EXPLORATION SOCIETY, THE INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY, and THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM. Online at: https://www.academia.edu/4786835/1997_Avigad_N_revised_and_completed_by_Sass_B_Corpus_of_West_Semitic_stamp_seals_Jerusalem 
On the Jerusalem antiquities market in 1971; present location not reported.

 Full Moon God Su is Responsible for Astrological Powers (700-600 BCE)

(April 4, 2023) 

Translation in Akkadian (Levant Text 60.47)

(Read right to left. Capital letters on seal. Small letters are inferred Inner vowels. Verb is italic bold)
  1. Su  Gu  Naru (Levant Text 60.47.1) 
  2. IPu  U  BaṢu (Levant Text 60.47.2) 

(Dual use letters are E/H, I/Y, U/W, and '/A in which vowel appears at beginning of words except for Yahu which is keeping its traditional Hebrew transliteration)

In English. 

  1. Su is energizing the cullers
  2. The greasing is due to the gossamer-fabric (starry night sky)

Previous Hebrew Translation Attempt

Some Hebrew language scholars claim the text reads as follows: 

  1. Belonging to Abir-
  2. Yahu

References

Avigad, Nahman; Sass, Benjamin (1997) Corpus of West Semitic Stamp Seals. Published by THE ISRAEL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES, THE ISRAEL EXPLORATION SOCIETY, THE INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY, and THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM. Online at: https://www.academia.edu/4786835/1997_Avigad_N_revised_and_completed_by_Sass_B_Corpus_of_West_Semitic_stamp_seals_Jerusalem 
Bought in Jerusalem in 1974; formerly Moshe Dayan collection in Tel Aviv, Israel; present location not reported. Seal made of Ivory or bone, 14 x 15 x 8 mm.

Network Channeling Is Done by Life-Powers, Fertility-Fluids Are Pushed by Motion-Powers (700-600 BCE)

(April 6, 2023)  

Translation in Akkadian (Levant Text 60.81)

(Read right to left. Capital letters on seal. Small letters are inferred Inner vowels. Verb is italic bold)
  1.  ALu  Ṣu  Ka'u (Levant Text 60.81.1) 
  2.  IDu  Su  E?    (Levant Text 60.81.2) 

(Dual use letters are E/H, I/Y, U/W, and '/A in which vowel appears at beginning of words except for Yahu which is keeping its traditional Hebrew transliteration)

In English. 

  1. Alu is prodded by activity.
  2. Life-channeling is not from Su 

Previous Hebrew Translation Attempt

Some Hebrew language scholars claim the text reads as follows: 

  1.  Elishama'
  2.  (son of) Yiddo

References

Avigad, Nahman; Sass, Benjamin (1997) Corpus of West Semitic Stamp Seals. Published by THE ISRAEL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES, THE ISRAEL EXPLORATION SOCIETY, THE INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY, and THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM. Online at: https://www.academia.edu/4786835/1997_Avigad_N_revised_and_completed_by_Sass_B_Corpus_of_West_Semitic_stamp_seals_Jerusalem