Hebrew & Aramaic in the New Testament

The New Testament was written in Greek. Some of its words are Hebrew or Aramaic, written in Greek letters. Here the Hebrew cards and the Greek cards sit side by side.

Pick a part below.

  1. 1

    Written in Greek letters

    A Hebrew or Aramaic word spelled out in Greek letters keeps its sound.

  2. 2

    Often translated

    Watch for “which is, being interpreted” and “that is.” What follows is the meaning, given by the writer.

  3. 3

    Aramaic

    A language close to Hebrew. Parts of the Old Testament are written in it, such as Daniel 2:4 to 7:28.

  4. 4

    Read both sides

    Where two verses are compared, the Hebrew cards are on the left and the Greek cards on the right.

Part I

Same word, both Testaments

In the Old Testament the ASV translates the word. In the New Testament it often keeps its sound.

Hallelujah

  • Psalm 146:1, cards 1 and 2: the word in Hebrew, two pieces. The ASV prints “Praise ye Jehovah.” Card 2 is Yah, a short form of the name.
  • Revelation 19:1, card 13: the same word in Greek letters. The ASV prints “Hallelujah.” It comes four times in Revelation 19: verses 1, 3, 4 and 6.

Hebrew · Psalm 146:1

Praise yeCard 1
הַֽלְלוּ HAH-leh-loo
What It Can Mean
to boast: praiseBe boastful, praise.
JehovahCard 2
יָ֡הּ yah
What It Can Mean
LORD

Greek · Revelation 19:1

HallelujahCard 13
Ἁλληλουϊά hah-lay-loo-ee-AH
What It Can Mean
hallelujahHallelujah, Praise the Lord.
Open Psalm 146:1Open Revelation 19:1

Hosanna

  • Psalm 118:25, cards 3 and 4: the ASV prints “Save now.”
  • Mark 11:9, card 8: the crowd cries “Hosanna.” They go on with Psalm 118:26: “Blessed be he that cometh in the name of Jehovah.”

Hebrew · Psalm 118:25

SaveCard 3
הוֹשִׁ֘יעָ֥ה hoh-SHEE-ah
What It Can Mean
to save / possible emphasis endingDeliver.
nowCard 4
נָּ֑א nah
What It Can Mean
pleaseI, we, pray, now.

Greek · Mark 11:9

HosannaCard 8
Ὡσαννά hoh-sah-NAH
What It Can Mean
Hosanna(Aramaic and Hebrew, originally a cry for help), hosanna!, a cry of happiness.
Open Psalm 118:25Open Mark 11:9

Amen

  • Deuteronomy 27:15, card 18: all the people answer “Amen.”
  • Revelation 19:4, card 22: the same word in Greek letters. Here the ASV keeps the sound in both Testaments.

Hebrew · Deuteronomy 27:15

AmenCard 18
אָמֵֽן ah-MEN
What It Can Mean
amenVerily, truly.

Greek · Revelation 19:4

AmenCard 22
Ἀμήν ah-MAYN
What It Can Mean
amenVerily, truly, amen; at the end of sentences may be paraphrased by: So let it be.
Open Deuteronomy 27:15Open Revelation 19:4

Verily, verily

  • John 1:51, cards 4 and 5: Jesus says the word twice. The ASV prints “Verily verily.”
  • It is the same word as Amen. The Pieces box on both cards says “Hebrew interjection.”

Greek · John 1:51

VerilyCard 4
Ἀμὴν ah-MAYN
The PiecesἈμὴνHebrew interjectionWhat It Can Mean
amenVerily, truly, amen; at the end of sentences may be paraphrased by: So let it be.
verilyCard 5
ἀμὴν ah-MAYN
The PiecesἀμὴνHebrew interjectionWhat It Can Mean
amenVerily, truly, amen; at the end of sentences may be paraphrased by: So let it be.
Open John 1:51

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Part II

Words the writers translate

The writer gives the Hebrew or Aramaic word, then its meaning in Greek.

Talitha cumi

  • Mark 5:41, cards 9 and 10.
  • Mark translates it: “Damsel, I say unto thee, Arise.”

Greek · Mark 5:41

TalithaCard 9
Ταλιθα tah-lee-thah
What It Can Mean
girl(Aramaic), girl, little girl.
cumiCard 10
κοῦμι KOO-mee
What It Can Mean
This card’s meaning box is blank for now. Mark gives it: Arise.
Open Mark 5:41

Ephphatha

  • Mark 7:34, card 10.
  • Mark translates it: “Be opened.”

Greek · Mark 7:34

EphphathaCard 10
Εφφαθα eh-fah-thah
What It Can Mean
open!(Aramaic, meaning) be opened up.
Open Mark 7:34

Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani

  • Psalm 22:1, cards 1 to 4: the words in Hebrew.
  • Mark 15:34, cards 10 to 13: the same words spoken in Aramaic. Mark translates them: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

Hebrew · Psalm 22:1

My God … thouCard 1
אֵלִ֣י eh-LEE
What It Can Mean
myGod.
my GodCard 2
אֵ֭לִי eh-LEE
What It Can Mean
myGod.
why … WhyCard 3
לָמָ֣ה lah-MAH
What It Can Mean
what?What?, how?, aught.
hast thou forsaken meCard 4
עֲזַבְתָּ֑נִי ah-zahv-TAH-nee
What It Can Mean
me

Aramaic in Greek letters · Mark 15:34

EloiCard 10
Ἐλωῒ eh-loh-EE
What It Can Mean
Eloi(Aramaic), my God.
EloiCard 11
ἐλωῒ eh-loh-EE
What It Can Mean
Eloi(Aramaic), my God.
lamaCard 12
λαμὰ lah-MAH
What It Can Mean
This card’s meaning box is blank for now. Mark gives it: why.
sabachthaniCard 13
σαβαχθάνι sah-bah-CHTHAH-nee
What It Can Mean
sabachthaniThou hast forsaken me.
Open Psalm 22:1Open Mark 15:34

Golgotha

  • Mark 15:22, card 6.
  • Mark translates it: “The place of a skull.”

Greek · Mark 15:22

GolgothaCard 6
Γολγοθᾶν gohl-goh-THAHN
What It Can Mean
GolgothaGolgotha, a knoll outside the wall of Jerusalem.
Open Mark 15:22

Abba

  • Mark 14:36, card 3. Mark puts the Greek word beside it: “Abba, Father.” Father is card 5.

Greek · Mark 14:36

AbbaCard 3
Αββα ah-bah
What It Can Mean
AbbaAbba, Father.
FatherCard 5
πατήρ pah-TAYR
What It Can Mean
fatherFather, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior.
Open Mark 14:36

Rabbi

  • John 1:38, card 17. The Pieces box says “Hebrew noun.”
  • John translates it: “Teacher,” card 21.
  • Card 20 is the Greek word for translating: “I translate (from one language into another), interpret.”

Greek · John 1:38

RabbiCard 17
Ῥαββί rah-BEE
The PiecesῬαββίHebrew nounWhat It Can Mean
RabbiRabbi, my master, teacher; a title of respect often applied to Christ.
being interpretedCard 20
μεθερμηνευόμενον meh-thehr-may-nyoo-OH-meh-nohn
The PiecesμεθερμηνευόμενονGreek verbWhat It Can Mean
to meanI translate (from one language into another), interpret.
TeacherCard 21
Διδάσκαλε dee-DAH-skah-leh
The PiecesΔιδάσκαλεGreek noun, masculineWhat It Can Mean
teacherA teacher, master.
Open John 1:38

Rabboni

  • John 20:16, card 10. Mary says it to Jesus.
  • John translates it: “Teacher,” card 13.

Greek · John 20:16

RabboniCard 10
Ραββουνι rah-boo-nee
What It Can Mean
RabboniRabbi, my master, teacher; a title of respect often applied to Christ.
TeacherCard 13
Διδάσκαλε dee-DAH-skah-leh
What It Can Mean
teacherA teacher, master.
Open John 20:16

Cephas

  • John 1:42, card 19. Jesus gives Simon a new name.
  • John translates it: “Peter,” card 22. Cephas and Peter are one name in two languages.

Greek · John 1:42

CephasCard 19
Κηφᾶς kay-FAHS
The PiecesΚηφᾶςname of a personWhat It Can Mean
CephasCephas (Aramaic for rock), the new name given to Simon Peter, the apostle.
is by interpretationCard 21
ἑρμηνεύεται hehr-may-NYOO-eh-tai
The PiecesἑρμηνεύεταιGreek verbWhat It Can Mean
to interpret(a) I translate, explain, (b) I interpret the meaning of.
PeterCard 22
Πέτρος PEH-trohs
The PiecesΠέτροςname of a personWhat It Can Mean
PeterPeter, a Greek name meaning "rock".
Open John 1:42

Maranatha

  • 1 Corinthians 16:22, cards 9 and 10.
  • Paul does not translate it. The ASV prints “Maranatha.”

Greek · 1 Corinthians 16:22

MaranathaCard 9
Μαράνα mah-RAH-nah
What It Can Mean
Come, Lord!(Aramaic), either: Our Lord hath come, or: Our Lord cometh (will come, is at hand).
MaranathaCard 10
θά thah
What It Can Mean
Come, Lord!(Aramaic), either: Our Lord hath come, or: Our Lord cometh (will come, is at hand).
Open 1 Corinthians 16:22

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Part III

Where the name was

Where a Hebrew verse has the name, the Greek has kurios, “Lord.”

Sabaoth

  • Isaiah 1:9, cards 2 and 3: the ASV prints “Jehovah of hosts.”
  • Romans 9:29, cards 7 and 8: Paul quotes Isaiah. The Greek keeps the Hebrew word Sabaoth, but where Isaiah has the name, the Greek has kurios. The ASV prints “the Lord of Sabaoth.”

Hebrew · Isaiah 1:9

JehovahCard 2
יהוהYHWHYud-Heh-Vav-Heh
What It Can Mean
God's personal nameThe proper name of the God of Israel.
of hostsCard 3
צְבָא֔וֹת tseh-vah-OHT
What It Can Mean
TsevaotArmy, war, warfare.

Greek · Romans 9:29

the LordCard 7
κύριος KOO-ree-ohs
What It Can Mean
lord: GodLord, master, sir; the Lord.
of SabaothCard 8
Σαβαὼθ sah-bah-OHTH
What It Can Mean
hostsHosts, armies.
Open Isaiah 1:9Open Romans 9:29

In the name of the Lord

  • Psalm 118:26, card 4: the ASV prints “in the name of Jehovah.”
  • Mark 11:9, card 14: the crowd says these words. The Greek has kurios, “of the Lord.”

Hebrew · Psalm 118:26

of JehovahCard 4
יהוהYHWHYud-Heh-Vav-Heh
What It Can Mean
God's personal nameThe proper name of the God of Israel.

Greek · Mark 11:9

of the LordCard 14
κυρίου koo-REE-oo
What It Can Mean
lord: GodLord, master, sir; the Lord.
Open Psalm 118:26Open Mark 11:9

The way of the Lord

  • Isaiah 40:3: the ASV prints “the way of Jehovah.”
  • John 1:23 quotes it: “as said Isaiah the prophet.” Card 11 has kurios, “of the Lord.”

Greek · John 1:23

Make straightCard 8
Εὐθύνατε yoo-THOO-nah-teh
The PiecesΕὐθύνατεGreek verbWhat It Can Mean
to straighten(a) I make straight (of the direction, not the surface, of a road), (b) I guide, steer.
wayCard 10
ὁδὸν hoh-DOHN
The PiecesὁδὸνGreek noun, feminineWhat It Can Mean
roadA way, road, journey, path.
of the LordCard 11
κυρίου koo-REE-oo
The PiecesκυρίουGreek noun, masculineWhat It Can Mean
lord: GodLord, master, sir; the Lord.
Open Isaiah 40:3Open John 1:23

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Part IV

Messiah and Christ

One title in two languages.

Messiah and Christ

  • Psalm 2:2, card 10: the ASV prints “his anointed.”
  • John 1:41, cards 14 and 18: “We have found the Messiah which is being interpreted Christ.” John gives both words.
  • Messiah is the Hebrew word for “anointed,” written in Greek letters. Christ is the Greek word with the same meaning. Card 17 is the Greek word for translating.

Hebrew · Psalm 2:2

his anointedCard 10
מְשִׁיחֽוֹ meh-shee-CHOH
What It Can Mean
anointed / hisAnointed.

Greek · John 1:41

MessiahCard 14
Μεσσίαν meh-SEE-ahn
What It Can Mean
MessiahMessiah, the Anointed One.
being interpretedCard 17
μεθερμηνευόμενον meh-thehr-may-nyoo-OH-meh-nohn
What It Can Mean
to meanI translate (from one language into another), interpret.
ChristCard 18
χριστός chree-STOHS
What It Can Mean
ChristAnointed; the Messiah, the Christ.
Open Psalm 2:2Open John 1:41

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Part V

A card with no English word

Some Greek words have no English word under them. The card is still there.

John 1:1, card 11

John 1:1

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God

Word By Word, In Greek Order1In | 2the beginning | 3was | 4the | 5Word | 6and | 7the | 8Word | 9was | 10with | 11— | 12God | 13and | 14God | 15was | 16the | 17Word

  • Card 11 is τὸν, the Greek word for “the.” Its English line reads: “The ASV does not translate this word.”
  • The Greek says πρὸς τὸν θεόν, word by word “with the God.” English says “with God,” so the ASV leaves “the” out.
  • Card 4 is the same word in another form, ὁ. There the ASV prints “the Word.” The Pieces box calls both cards “Greek article.”
  • Card 14, θεὸς, “God,” has no “the” before it in the Greek.
  • In the word-by-word line, a card with no English word shows a dash, as at 11.
  • In John 1, 50 of the 829 cards have no English word. 46 of them are the Greek word for “the.”

Greek · John 1:1, cards 10, 11 and 12

 withCard 10
πρὸς prohs
The PiecesπρὸςGreek prepositionWhat It Can Mean
to/withTo, towards, with.
No English in the ASVThe ASV does not translate this word.Card 11
τὸν tohn
The PiecesτὸνGreek articleWhat It Can Mean
the/this/whoThe, the definite article.
 GodCard 12
θεόν theh-OHN
The Piecesθεόν What It Can Mean
God(a) God, (b) a god, generally.
Open John 1:1

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Part VI

Try it

  1. 1

    Open John 1:1

    Find card 11. Its English line reads: The ASV does not translate this word. The Greek word is there. Open John 1:1

  2. 2

    Open John 1:38

    Find card 17, Rabbi. Read The Pieces box: “Hebrew noun.” Open John 1:38

  3. 3

    Compare two verses

    Psalm 118:25, cards 3 and 4, “Save now.” Mark 11:9, card 8, “Hosanna.” Same word. Open Psalm 118:25 · Open Mark 11:9

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