VOCABULARY AND SYNONYMS RELATING TO ANIMALS, GRAZING, AND SHEPHERDS IN ANCIENT YEMEN " ANALYTICAL STUDY IN LIGHT OF THE ZABUR INSCRIPTIONS"

This research aims to investigate and discuss the vocabulary and synonyms related to animals, grazing, and shepherds in ancient Yemen through an analytical study in light of the Zabur Inscriptions. In ancient Yemen, animals, grazing, and shepherds were fundamental pillars of trade and daily life. Some animals carry deep religious connotations, symbolizing divine power and the Yemeni spirit. Along with the prominent metaphorical images of bulls, lions, horses, and gazelles in art, they have reflected their economic roles, divine associations, and cultural values. This paper focuses on identifying the names, vocabulary, and synonyms of animals and related issues that occupied a prominent place in ancient Yemen through analytical observations applied to the Zabur inscriptions. This research is based on the Zabur inscriptions and the references and information they contain about these animals and related issues. Ancient Yemen was primarily an agricultural region, but animal domestication was necessary. Domesticated animals were of immeasurable value in all aspects of life, providing meat, milk, and wool, and assisting in agricultural work and transportation. The ancient Yemenis used a variety of terms, vocabulary, and synonyms to refer to animals and related issues in the Zabur inscriptions, particularly camels, such as “'blm”, “nqt”, and “rhb”, sheep“ġnm”, “rʿtm”, goats “ʿnzm”, and cows “bqr”. Grazing was called “ʿsbn”,“hrʿy”, and other terms denoting different types of animals and grazing in the Zabur inscriptions. Based on the above, this research paper seeks to explain and clarify the animals, grazing, and shepherds in ancient Yemen based on an analytical study in light of the Zabur Inscriptions.