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Elusa (Haluza), 100 CE - 299 CE. Block. Dedicatory.
1.7 cm to 3 cm for the Aramaic; 2.5 cm to 3.5 cm for the Greek.
Found as part of the foundation of an abandoned Beduin structure near Elusa (Haluza).
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Θεῷ ὑψ
ίστῳ
"To the Most High God. Remember me!"
The inscription consists of two lines of Greek followed by one of Palmyrene Aramaic. The Palmyrene letters are somewhat unclear. The stone does not appear to have been damaged or unfinished, and was found incorporated into the foundation of an abandoned Beduin structure. The Greek phrase here may have been employed by both Jewish and pagan cults, though it may be particularly associated with the cult of Baalshamin or with another cult, near the Negev, of Theos Hypsistos. In this location, a Nabatean rather than a Palmyrene inscription would be expected; it was probably inscribed by a trader or Roman soldier or official of Palmyrene origin. The line may be translated as "I remembered" or "I was remembered," but the interpretation here -- an imperative "Remember!" addressed to a god -- is most plausible on account of numerous parallels in Greek epigraphy. The author proposes a two-author reading of this text, particularly in light of the fact that most (presumably single-author) bilingual inscriptions contain repeating information in the two languages.