A large number of Aramaic inscriptions from the 9th century B.C. to the 3rd century A.D. are revisited in this fourth volume of Studies. After the stele of Tel Dan, the epitaph of Kuttamuwa from Zincirli, and the inscription found at Tepe Qalaichi, Aramaic dockets from Dur-Katlimmu are re-examined, distinguishing a court ruling concerning theft, agreements regarding mortgage, guarantee, indemnity, barley and silver loans, and the particular nsk-loan. Next are examined "cadastral" reports from Idumaea, some inscriptions from Hellenistic times, a divorce bill from the Roman period, several Palmyrene dedications, epitaphs, and honorific inscriptions, as well as some Hatraean texts, mainly related to Adiabene. Finally, Mercionism is considered as background of a saying on "two gods," ascribed to Rabbi Hiyya bar Abba. Like in the preceding volumes of Studies, detailed indexes list the inscriptions, the personal names and the place-names examined, as well as other subjects.

An introduction to the linguistic diversity of personal names in cuneiform texts from Babylonia (c. 750-100 BCE).

The Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible (DDD) is the single major reference work on the gods, angels, demons, spirits, and semidivine heroes whose names occur in the biblical books. Book jacket.

The history of Canaan in the Iron Age is generally written from the perspective of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. The scope of this book is to inverse this relation and to focus on "the skirts of Canaan", while regarding the "United Monarchy" and the "Divided Monarchy" as external and sometimes marginal players of the regional history. After having examined the transition from the Late Bronze Age to the Iron Age in the mid-12th century B.C., the book deals thus with the Philistines and the role of Egypt in Canaan during Iron Age II, especially in the face of the Assyrian expansion. It treats further of the Phoenicians and the Aramaeans. There follow five chapters on Bashan, Gilead, Ammon, Moab, and Edom with the Negeb. Several indices facilitate the consultation of the work on particular topics.

"A Journey to Palmyra" originates from the desire to remember Delbert R. Hillers, who greatly contributed with his work to Palmyrene studies. However, it is not meant just as a memorial volume, but as a research tool. It contains thirteen papers by scholars in the field of Palmyrene studies and Semitics focusing on different aspects of Palmyrene history, social history, art, archaeology and philology, with publication of newly discovered inscriptions. It offers a state-of-the-art discussion on several issues pertaining to the field of Palmyrene studies, and illustrates methodologies to be employed in order to increase our knowledge of the complex and multifaceted culture of ancient Palmyra and of neighbouring areas.