The Aramaic/Hebrew-Sabaean Grave Inscription of Lea

A bilingual gravestone inscription containing a text in two versions, Hebrew-Aramaic & Sabaean, is presented in a photographic reproduction, transcription, & proposed German translations with commentary by Nebe on the Hebrew-Aramaic version & Sima on the Sabaean version. The gravestone, originally published by J. Naveh (2003) & dated to the early 5th century AD, is the earliest grave inscription from the Late Sabaean monotheistic period & the first known Jewish bilingual inscription of its type. The Hebrew-Aramaic version contains a largely Aramaic introductory formula with wishes for blessing & resurrection in Hebrew, the latter reflecting a passage at Daniel 12:13 referenced in seven other inscriptions; implications for the history & onomastics of Himyarite Jewry are discussed. 1 Figure. J. Hitchcock