Canaanite term for Jericho

Christian Alexander

I am on a rabbit trail. According to a podcast, areeha is a Canaanite term that was originally used to refer to Jericho. I could not discover any source on Jericho's original name in the Hebrew lexical sources. I am certain that the phrase areeha is Arabic. The Hebrew word for Jericho is Yeriho. Is Arabic a cognate version of biblical Hebrew? I am quite confused on the topic. 

MJ. Smith

Sometimes wikipedia is a decent starting point:

Jericho's name in Modern Hebrew, Yeriẖo, is generally thought to derive from the Canaanite word rēḥ 'fragrant', but other theories hold that it originates in the Canaanite word Yaraḥ 'moon' or the name of the lunar deity Yarikh, for whom the city was an early centre of worship.^[19]

Jericho's Arabic name, Arīḥā, means 'fragrant' and also has its roots in Canaanite Reaẖ,

 

For another source try a chatbot

The etymology of Jericho and its historical names offer a fascinating glimpse into the city's long history:

Etymology:

• The prevailing theory suggests Jericho's name originates from the Canaanite word "rēḥ" which translates to "fragrant". This could be a reference to the city's fertile oasis environment or the use of fragrant plants in religious ceremonies.
• Alternative theories propose the name might come from the Canaanite word "Yaraḥ" meaning "moon" or the name of the moon deity "Yarikh". This theory aligns with archaeological evidence suggesting an early moon cult existed in the city.

Historical Names:

• The city's name in modern Hebrew is "Yeriẖo", reflecting its Canaanite roots.
• The biblical Hebrew name was "Yeriḥō", appearing numerous times in the Old Testament.
• The Arabic name is "Arīḥā", directly related to the Canaanite word "rēḥ", signifying "fragrant."
• In ancient Greek texts, Jericho was referred to as "Ἱερῑχώ" (Ierīkhṓ)", which transliterates the Hebrew name.
• During periods of Roman and Byzantine rule, the city was known as "Hiericous" or "Hierichus", derived from the Greek name.
• Early Arabic sources sometimes referred to Jericho as "Riḥā", a simpler form of the modern Arabic name.

Therefore, understanding the etymology and historical names of Jericho allows us to appreciate its long and continuous legacy, spanning various linguistic and cultural contexts.

As for Hebrew and Arabic being related languages, again Wikipedia provides the answer Semitic languages - Wikipedia.

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1288005#Comment_1288005

I don't have my Amarna Tablets handy, but judging from the silence, I assume Jericho wasn't listed.

Sam Shelton

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1288084#Comment_1288084

It seems that Arīḥā can also be spelled Areehà. At least it is so spelled by Edward William Lane in describing a certain tree:

Also A certain tree in Areehà [i. e. Jericho], of [the district called] the Ghowr, having a fruit like the date, sweet, with an astringent and bitter quality; the stone of which has an oil greatly esteemed for its beneficial properties, wonderful of operation in dispersing the cold kinds of flatus, and phlegmatic disorders, and pains of the joints, and gout in the foot (نِقْرِس), and sciatica, and the flatus that is confined in the socket of the hip: the weight of seven drachms thereof is drunk three days or five days; and sometimes, or often, it makes to rise and stand the crippled and those who are deprived of the power of motion: it is said that its original was the [species of] اـِهْلِيلَج [or myrobalan] called كَابُلِىّ, which the Benoo-Umeiyeh removed (from India, TA), and planted in Areehà; and when it had long remained, the soil of Areehà altered it from the natural character of the اهليلج. (K.)^[1]

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^[1] Edward William Lane, An Arabic-English Lexicon (Medford, MA: Williams and Norgate, 1863), 1239.

David Paul

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1288165#Comment_1288165

The difference between spelling by transliteration vs. phonetically. Otherwise, the same thing.