[ 734 ] 
will at firft light appear to every one, who has been 
in the lcaft conversant with that dialed. However, 
that it contains one or two flight variations from the 
pure Syriac, cannot well be denied ; flnce the words 
PD V for P1D8? if rightly taken in Father 
Montfaucon’s copy, which I have followed here, 
may not improperly be confidered in the light of 
fuch variations. 
6. It appears from the matter of the infcription 
now before us, that IARfEVS dedicated the monu- 
ment therein mentioned to AGLIBOLVS and MA- 
LACHBELVS, the two moll celebrated Palmyrene 
deities, in order to perform a vow he had made, when 
in great fear, and apprehenflve of fome imminent 
danger; as likewife in order to avert both from him- 
felf, and his family, all future evils and dangers. The 
Palmyrene words therefore preferved on the ftone, 
that exhibits them, confiim what has been fuggefted 
by (i i) M. Spon (which is not clearly deducible from 
the Greek words anlwering to them) in relation to the 
end, or defign, of IARAsVS’s dedication of the mo- 
nument pointed out to us by this infcription. 
7. With regard to Mr. Dawkins’s Palmyrene in- 
fcriptions, that indicate altars, or other votive monu- 
ments, to have been eredled cither on account of de- 
liverances from fome impending dangers, in confe- 
quence of vows formerly made ; or for the prelerva- 
tion of the perfons therein mentioned from future 
evils ; nothing uncommon or extraordinary appears 
in them. Such infcriptions as thefe were not only 
(11) Jacob. Spon. ubi fup. p. 2. 
fome* 
