An inscription from Al-Qarak was discovered in 1958 in Jordan, near the wadi of Al-Qarak . It is a basalt fragment of the inscription 12.5 cm high and 14 cm wide. The inscription dates from the end of the 9th century BC. e. and contains three incomplete lines written in Moabite . The shape of the letters is very similar to the letters in the stele of Tsar Mesh , but there is one feature. The letter he has four features extending to the left of the vertical, while the typical he in Western Semitic inscriptions of the 10-5 centuries. BC e. contains only three traits on the left. This letter is found at least three times in the inscription and each time follows this spelling. A good image of the inscription , as well as a brief description , can be found on the Hanson website (KC Hanson).
Transliteration and Translation
Below is the transliteration and reconstruction of the inscription in Hebrew letters, as well as the translation into Russian. This data is taken from a page on the Hanson website dedicated to this inscription. The reconstruction of the inscription is, of course, only an assumption. There, with the same success, it can be written “I am Camoshyat, King of Moab,” that is, the text may belong to Mesh’s father, if his father is mentioned at all. Indeed, in the stele of Tsar Mesh, the name of his father is Camosh ... that is, his end is not known for sure.
| Page | Label transliteration | Translating to Russian language |
|---|---|---|
| one | אנך משע בן כמ שית מלך מאב ה דיבני | [I am Mesha son of Camo] shyat, king of Moab , d [Aybonite ...] |
| 2 | בבת . כמש. למבער. כי. אה בתי | [... in the temple] Camosh for a burnt offering, for I will [I beat ...] |
| 3 | נה. והן. עשתי. את | ... and so I did ... |