The Prayer of Jacob (PGM22b) and speech act theory : a pragmatic analysis

Abstract

This article uses Speech Act Theory to analyse The Prayer of Jacob, a magical incantation from the fourth-century Greek Magical Papyri (PGM 22b. 1-26). Drawing from Austin and Searle’s Speech Act Theory, I examine various speech acts within the prayer, following Lesses’ methodology. Three primary speech act types (directives, expressives, and direct addresses) are identified, alongside an exploration of phrases invoking the power and names of God, and enigmatic voces magicae. Ultimately, the paper suggests that the combination of verbal utterances with divine names, expressions of power, and voces magicae enhances the prayer’s potential effectiveness, leading to the desired outcomes under appropriate conditions.