Hebrew in Runic Inscriptions and Elsewhere

Abstract

It is well recognized that the use of formulae originally from the Hebrew language was not uncommon in the hymnody and liturgy of the medieval Church. This article surveys the protrusion of such formulae into Scandinavian runic inscriptions and postulates that there was a particular awareness of their Hebrew identity. The extent of clerical esteem for - and knowledge of - the Hebrew language in medieval Scandinavia is considered using runic and manuscript sources. Finally, some observations are offered concerning the geographical distribution of Hebrew formulae in the runic corpus.