The Syro-Aramaic Reading of the Koran: A Contribution to the Decoding of the Language of the Koran - Hardcover
Throughout its history the Koran has presented problems of interpretation. Some scholars estimate that at least a quarter of the text is obscure in meaning, not only for Western translators but even native Arabic speakers, who struggle with the archaic vocabulary that is no longer used in modern Arabic.
In this in-depth study of the language of the Koran, scholar Christoph Luxenberg dispels much of the mystery surrounding numerous hitherto unclear passages. The key, as Luxenberg shows exhaustively, is to understand that Aramaic--the language of most Middle Eastern Jews and Christians of the pre-Islamic era--had a pervasive influence on the development of the Arabic text of the Koran. For a thousand years preceding the advent of Islam, Aramaic (or Syriac as it was sometimes called) was the lingua franca of many parts of the Near East. It was the native language of the first Christian evangelists and the main liturgical language of the early Christian churches from Syria to Iran.
Based on this historical context and a profound knowledge of Semitic languages, Luxenberg clarifies many thorny textual puzzles. Perhaps his most interesting argument is that the passage often translated as referring to the "virgins" that are believed to greet the departed faithful in paradise was long ago misunderstood. In fact, knowledge of ancient Christian hymns in Aramaic suggests that the word in question refers to "grapes" that the departed will enjoy in a paradisiacal garden. Luxenberg discusses many other similar fascinating instances where Aramaic vocabulary and concepts influenced the text of the Koran
This highly erudite work makes a significant contribution to the study of the Koran and the history of Islamic origins.
In this in-depth study of the language of the Koran, scholar Christoph Luxenberg dispels much of the mystery surrounding numerous hitherto unclear passages. The key, as Luxenberg shows exhaustively, is to understand that Aramaic--the language of most Middle Eastern Jews and Christians of the pre-Islamic era--had a pervasive influence on the development of the Arabic text of the Koran. For a thousand years preceding the advent of Islam, Aramaic (or Syriac as it was sometimes called) was the lingua franca of many parts of the Near East. It was the native language of the first Christian evangelists and the main liturgical language of the early Christian churches from Syria to Iran.
Based on this historical context and a profound knowledge of Semitic languages, Luxenberg clarifies many thorny textual puzzles. Perhaps his most interesting argument is that the passage often translated as referring to the "virgins" that are believed to greet the departed faithful in paradise was long ago misunderstood. In fact, knowledge of ancient Christian hymns in Aramaic suggests that the word in question refers to "grapes" that the departed will enjoy in a paradisiacal garden. Luxenberg discusses many other similar fascinating instances where Aramaic vocabulary and concepts influenced the text of the Koran
This highly erudite work makes a significant contribution to the study of the Koran and the history of Islamic origins.
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About the Author:
Christoph Luxenberg is a German scholar and professor of ancient Semitic and Arabic languages.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherPrometheus Books
- Publication date2007
- ISBN 10 3899300882
- ISBN 13 9783899300888
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
- Number of pages349
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Die Syro-Aramäische Lesart Des Koran, Englische Ausgabe: A Contribution To The Decoding Of The Language Of The Koran
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The Syro-Aramaic Reading of the Koran
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Book Description Buch. Condition: Neu. Neuware -This book approaches the Koran with the tools of modern scientific philology, and outlines a method to shed light onto koranic passages that are among those counted as 'dark' or 'mysterious'. Revised and expanded translation of the wave-making German original. 352 pp. Englisch. Seller Inventory # 9783899300888
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Book Description Buch. Condition: Neu. Neuware -This book approaches the Koran with the tools of modern scientific philology, and outlines a method to shed light onto koranic passages that are among those counted as 'dark' or 'mysterious'. Revised and expanded translation of the wave-making German original. 352 pp. Englisch. Seller Inventory # 9783899300888
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The Syro-Aramaic Reading of the Koran
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Book Description Buch. Condition: Neu. Neuware -This book approaches the Koran with the tools of modern scientific philology, and outlines a method to shed light onto koranic passages that are among those counted as 'dark' or 'mysterious'. Revised and expanded translation of the wave-making German original.The most fascinating book ever written on the language of the Koran, and if proved to be correct in its main thesis, probably the most important book ever written on the Koran. (The Guardian). Seller Inventory # 9783899300888
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The Syro-Aramaic Reading of the Koran : A Contribution to the Decoding of the Language of the Koran
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Book Description Buch. Condition: Neu. Neuware - This book approaches the Koran with the tools of modern scientific philology, and outlines a method to shed light onto koranic passages that are among those counted as 'dark' or 'mysterious'. Revised and expanded translation of the wave-making German original. Seller Inventory # 9783899300888
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Book Description Condition: New. This book approaches the Koran with the tools of modern scientific philology, and outlines a method to shed light onto koranic passages that are among those counted as dark or mysterious . Revised and expanded translation of the wave-making German origin. Seller Inventory # 5657076
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Die Syro-Aramäische Lesart Des Koran, Englische Ausgabe: A Contribution To The Decoding Of The Language Of The Koran
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(2009)
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ISBN 13: 9783899300888
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