Arabic nuṭfah and Syriac nuṭptā in Avicenna’s and Barhebraeus’s Works: Substantial Change, Embryology, and Ensoulment

Arabic nuṭfah and Syriac nuṭptā in Avicenna’s and Barhebraeus’s Works: Substantial Change, Embryology, and EnsoulmentHugoye: Journal of Syriac StudiesSyriaca.org: The Syriac Reference PortalThe National Endowment for the HumanitiesThe International Balzan Prize FoundationDavid A. Michelsoncbsc_adminRecord added to Zotero bycbsc_adminSyriaca.org: The Syriac Reference Portalhttp://syriaca.org/cbss/DCA736PW/tei

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2025-05-20-05:00

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CREATED: This bibl record was autogenerated from a Zotero record.FlorianJäckelArabic nuṭfah and Syriac nuṭptā in Avicenna’s and Barhebraeus’s Works: Substantial Change, Embryology, and Ensoulmenthttp://syriaca.org/cbss/DCA736PWhttps://www.zotero.org/groups/a_comprehensive_bibliography_on_syriac_studies/items/DCA736PWhttps://www.zotero.org/groups/4861694/items/DCA736PWHugoye: Journal of Syriac Studies26:22023377-414This article analyzes how the Syriac word for ‘drop,’ nuṭptā, was used by Barhebraeus (1226–1286) with the meaning of ‘drop of semen’ or ‘sperm drop.’ The term appears in Barhebraeus’s writings within broader exami-nations of substantial change, embryology, and ensoulment. I argue that Barhebraeus received the term in this sense from Avicenna (ca. 980–1037), including the latter’s concept of substantial change. While Barhebraeus’s reception of Avicenna’s philosophy has implications for his position regarding the time of ensoulment of the unborn, the independence of Barhebraeus’s embryology will also become apparent. The paper thus contributes to research on notions of the unborn in both Arabic and especially Syriac literature and the investigation of Barhebraeus’s creative appropriation of Avicennan philosophy. These two aspects are connected by analyzing the critical term nuṭptā/nuṭfah. Jäckel, Florian. “Arabic Nuṭfah and Syriac Nuṭptā in Avicenna’s and Barhebraeus’s Works: Substantial Change, Embryology, and Ensoulment.” Hugoye: Journal of Syriac Studies 26:2 (2023): 377–414. Florian Jäckel, Arabic Nuṭfah and Syriac Nuṭptā in Avicenna’s and Barhebraeus’s Works: Substantial Change, Embryology, and Ensoulment,” Hugoye: Journal of Syriac Studies 26:2 (2023): 377–414.