What language did Jesus speak?


Language is a universal tool for communication. The primary mode of interpersonal communication is language. If so, what language does the Bible say Jesus spoke? It's thought that Jesus and his disciples spoke Aramaic.

What language is Aramaic?

From roughly 500 BC to roughly 600 AD in Mesopotamia, Syria, Aramaic served as the common tongue of the ancient Orient. Some tribes in Syria and some tribes in Iraq still speak it now.

Jesus most likely spoke a Jerusalem-specific Galilean dialect of the Aramaic language. The majority of Jesus' life was spent in Aramaic-speaking nations like Nazareth and Capernaum in Galilee, which lends tremendous credence to his use of the language.

Additionally, it is claimed that Jesus was fluent in Hebrew, which he utilized in his religious activities, and Koine Greek, which he used to communicate with non-Jews.

source: google image

Aramaic Names in the New Testament

Numerous languages are used for human names in the New Testament. The two most popular are Hebrew and Greek. One of the most prominent characteristics of Aramaic names is the Greek transcription βαρ, which is spoken Aramaic and means "son of."

The foundation for personal names based on names given by fathers, grandfathers, or male ancestors are these nicknames.

Examples of names with Βαρ

Matthew – Bartholomew (Βαρθολομαῖος) meaning son of furrow or plowman

Mark – Bartimaeus (Βαρτιμαῖος) A name derived from a combination of Aramaic bar and  Greek meaning son of honor, including meaning 'honorable, highly esteemed'.

Acts - Barsabbas (Βαρσαββᾶς) Son of the Sabbath

source: google image

So, what language is Hebrew used in the Bible?

Hebrew is a language of the Northwest Semitic language, which originated in Afro Asia. Hebrew is historically considered one of the languages ​​spoken by the Israelites and their oldest surviving descendants, the Jews and Samaritans.

Hebrew has the privilege of being saved as the liturgical language of Judaism. Liturgical language means the sacred language used in church services for religious purposes.

Jesus spoke a language called Hebrew.

Given its importance to religious activities and the fact that Jesus really spoke Hebrew, Hebrew is regarded as a liturgical language. Biblical Hebrew served as the language of all Hebrew Scriptures.

According to certain historians, Jesus could read and understand Hebrew, although he was not fluent in the language. However, he claims that Jesus also regarded the language highly because it was utilized in writing or church worship.

Biblical Hebrew and Post-Biblical Hebrew are two different dialects of Hebrew.

The ancient Israelites were fluent in Biblical Hebrew from the 10th century BCE and the 4th century AD. Its dialects include Israeli Hebrew, Late Biblical Hebrew, Standard Biblical Hebrew, and Old Biblical Hebrew.

Hebrew used in the Mishna and Dead Sea Scrolls is referred to as post-biblical Hebrew. In the instance of Mishnei Hebrew, it was used as an epistle to the Roman Empire following the fall of the Temple in Jerusalem. The Dead Sea Scrolls relate to the Roman era before the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.

source: google image


The Bible

With more than 3350 language translations, it is the most widely read book ever. The Bible has been translated into practically all languages since it is a sacred book and is intended to be read by as many people as possible. More than 2,000 languages have been used to translate the New Testament, while more than 700 languages have been used to translate the Old Testament.



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