Yarikh

Yariḫ ( Jarich ) is a Northwest Semitic name of a moon god.

Etymology

The name of the moon god is related to the Akkadian name warchum, warach that has been selectively used for moon or month. The shape Jarach explained by the fact that was the Northwest Semitic anlautendes w to j. To denote the words lunar month or the root use the Canaanite languages ​​, however, the majority ḫdsch.

Dissemination

The earliest evidences of God can be found in lexical texts from Ebla near the end of the 3rd millennium. In the Mari texts ( early 2nd millennium ) Yariḫ emerged as theophores name element in names such as Abdu - Erach. Testified wide is the shape of the Yariḫ in the texts from Ugarit. He appears both in literary texts as well as in proper names. The text KTU 1:24 - these are probably a translation from the Hurrian - Dedicated to the heavenly marriage of Yariḫ and the moon goddess Nikkal. Otherwise, however, the sun goddess Yariḫ Sapa or Šapsu seems clearly subordinate in Ugarit. Also, the Canaanite Onomastikon the 1st millennium familiar with Yariḫ compound names, the Phoenician and Ammonite. In Hebrew epigraphic such names are not yet testified, however, biblical example in Gen. 10.26 EU ( Jerah ) passim

The name of God is also found again in city names like Jericho or Bet Jerah.