Ahiqar
  • Edition Guidelines
  • Textual Criticism
  • Motifs
  • Manuscripts
  • Sayings
  • Proverbs
  • Collation
  • Stemmata
  • Related Literature
  • Syriac Texts
  • Arabic and Karshuni Texts
  • Neo-Aramaic Texts
  • Translation of the Syriac version
  • Translation of the Arabic version
  • About
  • Technical Documentation
Search
  • Edition Guidelines
  • Textual Criticism
  • Motifs
  • Manuscripts
  • Sayings
  • Proverbs
  • Collation
  • Stemmata
  • Related Literature
  • Syriac Texts
  • Arabic and Karshuni Texts
  • Neo-Aramaic Texts
  • Translation of the Syriac version
  • Translation of the Arabic version
  • About
  • Technical Documentation
Search
  • Motifs

Motifs

In 1979, Max Küchler began his work on Ahiqar, which he published in his study Frühjüdische Weisheitstraditionen (Fribourg/Göttingen 1979). He started with a collection of themes in the Ahiqar story in the form of notes. In connection with this, we have collected and marked the central motifs and themes of the story as they appear in the various textual witnesses. This process aids in clarifying, correcting, and expanding the history of motifs in this story. Below is a brief description of each motif:

LetterKeywordCategoryDescription
AAdherence to wisdomWisdom, KnowledgeThe necessity and Priority of being wise
Air CastleRiddleThe riddle of the air castle
BBeauty/CaducityWomen, caducity, Social relationshipThe relationship to women and the caducity of their beauty
Burden/DebtCommitmentThe state of a person with commitments
CCaution against powerfulSocial relationshipThe relationship to powerful persons or forces
DDeath ageCaducity, Social standing, Death, HonourThe relationship to older persons and the caducity of human beings
DiscernmentReflection, BehaviourThe righteous assessment of a situation
Disciplining of son(s)Social relationship, FamilyThe instruction and education of one's sons
EEnemiesSocial relationshipThe relationship and attitude to adversial persons
GGood nameSocial standing, HonourThe income of wise and righteous deeds
IImage kingPolitics, KingThe image of the Assyrian king
IntriguePoliticsNadan's actions against Ahiqar
KKeepind secretsSocial relationship, LoyaltyHow to handle secrets
LLoyal obligation to God(s)God, LoyalityAllegiance and relation to God(s)
MMeekness showing respectSocial relationshipTo behave with respect and meekness
OObeying parentsSocial relationship, LoyaltyRelationship to parents
PParable animalsParables, AnimalsParables including references to animals
Parable plantsParables, PlantsParables including references to plants
QQuarrelSocial relationship, Social behaviourHow to handle conflicts and quarrels
RRichness povertySocial positionThe significance of richness resp. poverty
Royal challengesPoliticsPolitical tasks for the king
SSelf-examination, self-reflectionSelf-examinationReflection on one's attitude and behaviour
Social contacts familySocial relationshipSocial contacts with persons within the family
Social contacts no familySocial relationshipSocial contacts with persons outside the family
Successful courtierPoliticsRehabilitation of Ahiqar
TTemptress womenSocial relationship, WomenRelationship to temptress women
Treatment slavesSocial relationshipRelationship and treatment of slaves and maidservants
Truth lyingSocial behaviourAttitude towards truth or falsehood
WWise/fool/sinful behaviour resp. personsWisdom, Social behaviour, Social relationshipRelation to wise, fool and sinful persons and their behaviour
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