Questions tagged [language]
Questions about the languages used by biblical figures, as distinct from translation questions.
30
questions
3
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4answers
656 views
Who is 'us', that Yahweh said to 'behold' men has become like us
During the creation account it only says that אלהים created the heavens and the earth, it is not until Genesis 2:4 that it is stated that it was יהוה, the אלהים who did it.
ברא' 2:4: "אֵ֣לֶּה ...
2
votes
2answers
287 views
In what language did Peter most likely preach his sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2:14-41)? [closed]
We all know that the apostles and disciples miraculously spoke different tongues at Pentecost, that the foreigners around who were native speakers of those languages could understand:
5 Now there ...
1
vote
3answers
123 views
What is the difference between speaking with the mind and speaking in a tongue (with the spirit)? 1 Corinthians 14
In 1 Cor 14:2, the act of speaking in a tongue is described as a process in which a person utters mysteries under the influence of the Holy Spirit:
2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men ...
0
votes
1answer
81 views
Literary devices explaining Paul's use of language style when it comes to marrying or even being involved in worldliness (1 Corinthians 7:27-31)?
( 1 Corinthians 7:25-31 )
25 Now concerning virgins I have no command of the Lord, but I give an opinion as one who [a]by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy.
26 I think then that this is good in ...
2
votes
2answers
58 views
Does 1 Corinthians 13:1 indicate the existence of ‘angelic’ languages?
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”
1 Corinthians 13:1
Is this sufficient proof that there are angelic languages? If so ...
5
votes
2answers
73 views
What would be good sources for the evidence for the change in language between Prot/Deutero/Trito Isaiah in the Bible?
I am very interested in understanding the biblical book of Isaiah. I have read in numerous places that virtually no modern scholars view the book as having been written only by the historical Isaiah ...
5
votes
6answers
121 views
Is there a word or expression in the Bible that confirms that God can predict the future? [closed]
I have read about this in a book some time ago and it stuck into my mind. The author was doubting the divine inspiration nature of the Bible by using the following reasoning:
Since the Bible is ...
0
votes
2answers
372 views
Could Adam's Rib be an extended metaphor for the womb? [closed]
I am curious from reading the mehanical translation of Genesis (Jeff A Benner,) if the rib taken from Adam could be interpreted as the womb, and any solid information which supports or contradicts.
I ...
8
votes
4answers
2k views
In Mark 5:41 and other NT passages, Why is Christ quoted in Aramaic?
Why does Christ or NT writers sometimes use Aramaic; Example Mark 5:41 Talitha Cumi
And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say ...
2
votes
1answer
92 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 ...
6
votes
3answers
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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
239 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 ...
3
votes
3answers
253 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 ...
3
votes
2answers
2k 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
2answers
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
79 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 ...
0
votes
1answer
323 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
164 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-...
14
votes
2answers
2k 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: ...
9
votes
2answers
6k 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 ...
5
votes
4answers
4k views
Is there precedent (perhaps in Jewish tradition) for the usage of “Rabboni,” which is solely found consistently in John 20:16?
John 20:16
New International Version
Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in
Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means "Teacher").
New Living ...
10
votes
5answers
13k 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 (...
6
votes
3answers
582 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 ...
19
votes
3answers
22k 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
4k 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
2k 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 ...
8
votes
2answers
934 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 ...
45
votes
6answers
9k 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 ...
