| This dissertation examines the application of pragmatics (especially, the study of politeness), biblical studies and Semitic philology to a selected group of ancient texts that use a characteristic set of deferential strategies. The following strategies are studied: Vocatives, Titles and Epithets used deferentially; the substitution of third-person forms for second and first-person forms and the indexing of social relations; the deferential use of prepositions; the indefinite or unspecified agent using various active and passive constructions; and the majestic passive construction.;These strategies are studied in a number of ancient works. First, the Arsames Correspondence, a group of official letters written in Aramaic during the Persian period is examined. Second, the narrative framework of Ahiqar, a story set in the Neo-Assyrian court, is studied. Third, the above mentioned strategies are studied in the biblical book of Ezra, particularly in the Aramaic sections of that book. Fourth, the biblical book of Daniel as a Jewish literary work whose Aramaic sections also exhibit these politeness strategies is considered. The Hebrew of Daniel 1:1--2:4 is also studied. Finally, the biblical book of Esther is studied by looking at the five previously mentioned politeness strategies.;Studies from a linguistic perspective into politeness phenomena within the Bible have been applied to texts in Classical Biblical Hebrew. However, such studies in Official Aramaic and Late Biblical Hebrew have not been done. This dissertation fills that gap. |
