Questions tagged [language]
Questions about the languages used by biblical figures, as distinct from translation questions.
21
questions
2
votes
1answer
78 views
Why is there no היא in the Torah?
On an intriguing statement from a friend, I started looking for the feminine pronoun for she היא in the Tanakh. One thing I noticed was that I couldn't find it in the Torah. I did find it fairly ...
5
votes
2answers
138 views
Is there a Greek or Aramaic word for “rope” that is similar to the word for “camel?”
I'm looking at Matthew 19 (New American Standard Bible), specifically at the interaction Jesus had with the young man who wanted to obtain eternal life (v. 16ff).
In verse 24, Jesus tells the ...
1
vote
1answer
59 views
What practical reason could there have been for killing the Midianite males in Numbers 31? [duplicate]
Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. — Numbers 31:17
In the preceding verses, Moses gives no reason for killing the male ...
2
votes
2answers
68 views
Gad's contextual name meaning and background
I'm studying Genesis 30 right now and am having trouble with Gad's name meaning. Why was he named after a "troop" or "fortune"? Which really is it? What is the significance of this in relation to ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
Were the Hellenistic Jews and Hebraic Jews able to speak each other's language in Acts 6:1?
In Acts 6:1 what were the distinguishing differences between the Hellenistic Jews and Hebraic Jews?
The related questions to this passage are:
1) How unfamiliar were the Hellenistic Jews to ...
1
vote
3answers
2k views
What are the original languages of the Old Testament? [closed]
As far as we can tell from the earliest manuscripts, how much of the Old Testament is written in Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic, or derived from earlier languages?
2
votes
0answers
67 views
Did Paul imply that angels differed in their tongues according to 1-cor 13:1 [closed]
1 Corinthians:13.1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of
angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a
clanging cymbal.
The word tongues in the passage is the greek word ...
-1
votes
1answer
282 views
Most accurate version of the Bible? [closed]
According to linguistics, history and culture which version of the Bible today is most accurate translation of the ancient original?
3
votes
4answers
152 views
During exegesis, should we consider the original language in which Jesus spoke?
When we do exegesis of Jesus's words for example should we take into consideration the original language in which he spoke?
For example: Many try to argue that Jesus made a reference to Exodus 3:14-...
10
votes
1answer
895 views
In Psalm 2:12 why is the Aramaic word for “son” בַר (“bar”) used?
Psalm 2:12a is traditionally translated:
נַשְּׁקוּ־בַר
kiss [the] son
This reflects an understanding of בַר (bar) as the Aramaic word for son.
A few other options:
NRSV: kiss his feet
NET: ...
7
votes
1answer
5k views
What language did Joseph speak in Egypt?
What language did Joseph speak in Egypt? How did he learn it? Was there a common language like Aramaic?
In Genesis 39 part of his ability to find favor must have been the ability to communicate ...
4
votes
2answers
2k views
Is there precedent (perhaps in Jewish tradition) for the usage of “Rabboni,” which is solely found consistently in John 10:26?
John 10:26
New International Version
Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in
Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means "Teacher").
New Living Translation
"Mary!" Jesus said. ...
10
votes
5answers
9k views
Written language during the time of Moses?
What would the written language have been like during the time of Moses (I'm assuming that to be around 1400 BCE), and what kind of material would they have been writing on - was it all on stone ...
7
votes
1answer
1k views
Why does Matthew use the plural form of “Key(s)” as opposed to other singular references according to the original Greek texts?
The word "Key" is referred to a few times in Scripture:
22 And I will give him the glory of David; and he shall rule, and there shall be none to speak against him: and I will give him the key (...
7
votes
3answers
505 views
Does “Hebrew” refer to the language or the language family?
The book of Acts mentions the Hebrew language a number of times:
And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great ...
16
votes
5answers
1k views
“which translated means…”
I am told that many scholars believe that the words of Jesus which we have presented to us in Greek were originally spoken in Aramaic. What confuses me then is why there are instances in the Greek ...
16
votes
3answers
19k views
Was 'σκύβαλον' (skubalon) profanity?
In Philippians 3:8, Paul uses the word σκύβαλον (skubalon), which is usually translated as "dung" , "garbage", or "rubbish". I've heard that this was considered an impolite word with much stronger ...
11
votes
3answers
3k views
What is morphological analysis, as it relates to Bible study?
As far as I can tell, morphological analysis is a technique used by Bible students to better understand the original languages in context.
How does one go about using a tool such as Robinson's ...
3
votes
6answers
1k views
What evidence suggests that Greek was not Mark's first language?
I've noted that Jesus probably spoke little Greek and did not have formal training. Similarly, Peter and John were likely not trained in Greek (see Acts 4:13). Bart Ehrman points out:
[The four ...
6
votes
2answers
759 views
Are the four profitable areas in 2 Tim 3:16 covering doctrine and practice?
Looking at 2 Tim 3:16
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching,
for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (ESV)
I was checking some commentaries ...
40
votes
5answers
8k views
What language did Jesus commonly speak?
According to Mark 15:34 (ESV):
And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Jesus spoke Aramaic in ...
