Is Paleo Hebrew Read Right to Left?

The first Paleo-Hebrew inscription identified in modern times was the Shebna inscription, discovered in 1870 and initially referred to as 'two large ancient Hebrew inscriptions in Phoenician letters.' The Paleo-Hebrew and Phoenician alphabets are two slight regional variants of the same script. The use of the term 'Paleo-Hebrew alphabet' is attributed to Solomon Birnbaum's 1954 suggestion, who argued that applying the term 'Phoenician' to the script used by the Hebrews was not suitable.

The Talmud describes this script as the 'Libona'a script' (Aramaic לִיבּוֹנָאָה Lībōnāʾā), which is sometimes translated as 'Lebanon script.' It is believed to be the script used to record the original texts of the Hebrew Bible due to its similarity to the Samaritan script, as stated in the Talmud that the ancient Hebrew script was still used by the Samaritans.

The Paleo-Hebrew script (Hebrew: הכתב העברי הקדום) is also known as Palaeo-Hebrew, Proto-Hebrew or Old Hebrew. It is the writing system found in inscriptions of Canaanite languages, including pre-biblical and biblical Ancient Hebrew texts from the region of Southern Canaan, also known as biblical Israel and Judah.

Interestingly, this script has been influenced by other languages, such as BCEĪdlam (with a slight influence from Arabic) in 1989 CE, Caucasian Albanian (origin uncertain), Cherokee (syllabary letter forms only), and possibly others. Despite these influences, the Paleo-Hebrew script remains an important part of Hebrew history and culture, providing valuable insights into the language and writing systems used by ancient civilizations.

The question that often arises is whether to read Paleo-Hebrew from left to right or right to left. While some argue that it should be read right to left, based on its similarities with other Semitic scripts, others claim that it follows a more complex reading order. Regardless of the direction in which it is read, the Paleo-Hebrew script remains an intriguing and significant part of Hebrew history and culture.

In conclusion, the Paleo-Hebrew script is an important aspect of Jewish heritage, providing a window into the language and writing systems used by ancient civilizations. Its influence can be seen in various languages, including BCEĪdlam, Caucasian Albanian, Cherokee, and possibly others. While its reading direction may be debated, the significance of this script to Hebrew history and culture is undeniable.

Is paleo hebrew read right to left