Ascalon (Newe Yam) - Funerary Chapel

Church/Monastery name: 
Ascalon (Newe Yam) - Funerary Chapel
Inscription number: 
2
Selected bibliography: 
152-153, no. 2, fig. 8 (ph.) (ed. pr.)
Abbreviation for Journals and Series
Inscription type: 
acclamation
quotation
Location: 

At the eastern end of the mosaic pavement (near W29) of the roofed chamber of the chapel, facing the eastern aperture (L904).

Physical description : 

Short one-line mosaic inscription. Φῶς is spelt with an Ο instead of a Ω, which is very common in this period. The Σ is square, the O is drop-shaped.

Text: 

Φõς Κ(υρίο)υ.

Translation: 

Light of the Lord.

Commentary: 

The expression φῶς Κυρίου occurs twice in the Septuagint. The first instance is in Proverbs 20:27: φῶς κυρίου πνοὴ ἀνθρώπων, ὃς ἐρευνᾷ ταμίεια κοιλίας, “The light of the Lord is the spirit of man, he who searches the hidden parts of the belly”; the second occurrence is in Ecclesiasticus 50:29.2: ἐὰν γὰρ αὐτὰ ποιήσῃ, πρὸς πάντα ἰσχύσει· ὃτι φῶς κυρίου τὸ ἴχνος αὐτοῦ, “If he does that, he will prevail in everything, for the light of the Lord is his route.”

Summary: 

Short one-line acclamatory mosaic inscription at the north end of the roofed chamber of the chapel.

Citations from LXX / NT: 
Prov. 20:27, Ecclus. 50:29
Epigraphical Abbreviations: 
horizontal stroke over nomen sacrum