Hebrew in Egypt

Writing in Egypt: Hebrew

The presence of Jews (Hebrews) is securely attested in Egypt from the sixth century BC. At this time they used Aramaic as writing language and system. In the Ptolemaic Period more Jews settled in Egypt; the Jewish community of Alexandria is especially well-known. Most of them used Greek as written (and spoken?) language, but there are also some examples for the use of Hebrew. The Jewish community is well attested throughout the Roman, Byzantine and Islamic Periods. They used the language and writing of their time (Greek in the Roman and Byzantine Periods, Arabic in the Islamic Period), but religious texts are most often in Hebrew.

Scarab with Hebrew inscription, Late Period

UC 36112

L DNYW HLDY, the Adonyahu Haldy