A New Attestation of the Canaanite H Stem in the Amarna Letters: na-ri-i[q] (EA 88:36)

Abstract

The problematic verbal form in the Amarna letter 88:36 should be read na-ri-i[q], derived from the common Semitic root R.Y.Q (“to be empty”), and parsed as 1 pers. pl. yaqtul of the Canaanite H causative stem. This form constitutes an important piece of historical evidence in favour of the vowel pattern /a-i/ in the prefix conjugation of the H stem in Early Canaanite.