Netflix: the leading innovator in Paleo Hebrew

Still from Netflix’ The Testament of Moses

When Netflix dropped images for its new series The Testament of Moses, which it describes as an “illuminating docudrama”, the world of linguists and ancient language scholars wondered – as one- whether the streaming platform’s scribes know the meanings of the word “illuminate.” Given that it can mean to shine a light on something or to explain something clearly , “illuminate” is an awful funny word to use when the main image for the show-Moses holding the ten commandments- shows the tablets upside down.

The correct orientation of Paleo Hebrew Script in Netflix’ Testament of Moses

The Paleo Hebrew script employed by the showrunners is depicted upside down on both tablets in most of the still images, and is upside down on one tablet in several scenes. Quibbles can be made about the particular script selected for these tablets, particularly in terms of chronological accuracy. For example, the text employes ecclesiastical abbreviations, short forms that were used to stand in for proper names. These evolved in certain liturgical periods, sometimes for expediency, but often to avoid taking names in vain. If these tablets were written by God himself, which is sort of the main element of the story, then it would be strange for him to be using a later ecclesiastical orthographic convention to refer to himself.

Screenshot of abbreviated form of Yahweh

While the script and the language used to compose these tablets contain a number of irksome errata, the broader issue is the oversight that led to the tablets being okay-ed. The script used in these commandments is sufficiently obscure and specific for them to have needed to find expert guidance to construct them. This is not a matter of copying and pasting from Wikipedia. This text was acquired from somewhere, presumably in the correct orientation, and yet they still managed to print it upside down.

Offenses against languages that have the audacity to not be English are legion. Arabic, Cyrillic and Hebrew scripts are mangled-sometimes hilariously-in movies and TV shows. Most often it is in background images, like text on a passport or words written on a rocket in the background. This upside down Paleo Hebrew text is truly a testament to anglocentrism and how little care is given to Other Languages.

@mathewssonya

I consulted an expert in the making of this video, and give them credit for bringing this to light. I’m adding it to the list of cinematic insults towards alphabets with their permission. Creative license is absolutely fine, for example speaking english in biblical times, but the tablets being upside down is a bit too far. #hebrewbible #moses #badtranslation #lostintranslation #gainedintranslation #ancientlanguages #netflix #documentary #biblestories #paleohebrew

♬ original sound – Sonya