Unravelling “ דהר ” : the study of ancient texts

Abstract

The Hebrew word “דהר” remains a persistent exegetical challenge, with ancient texts reflecting striking discrepancies in its interpretation. As a result, this article aims to decipher the unclear Hebrew term “דהר” in Nahum 3:2. It addresses this lexical puzzle, using a comprehensive approach, emphasising textual criticism of ancient texts, while incorporating comparative Semitic languages such as Egyptian and Arabic along with a literary-rhetorical analysis of the battle imagery in Nahum. By synthesising these various strands of methodologies, this article seeks to offer a credible interpretation of this puzzling term.