The present study is prompted by Hellen Mardaga's recent discussion and definition of so-called hapax legomena (HLL), ‘rare words’ or ‘words occurring only once’, within and outside the MT, the LXX and/or the NT. After interacting with Mardaga's theses an alternative definition is provided, developed from and proved by several examples. By doing so the significance of HLL for the pragmatic linguistic analysis of a text is highlighted, of which HLL form an integral and interesting element. Throughout the study, however, it is stressed that HLL are only one element among many in a full analysis of a text and the language of its author. Consequently, HLL need to be evaluated within the context of all elements of such an analysis.
