1444. Hebraikos

Lexical Summary

Hebraikos: Hebrew

Original Word: Ἑβραϊκός
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: Hebraikos
Pronunciation: he-bra-ee-KOS
Phonetic Spelling: (heb-rah-ee-kos')
KJV: Hebrew
Word Origin: [from G1443 (Ἐβέρ - Heber)]

1. Hebraic or the Jewish language

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Hebrew.

From Eber; Hebraic or the Jewish language -- Hebrew.

see GREEK Eber

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from Eber
Definition
Hebrew, the Jewish language.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1444: Ἑβραϊκός

Ἑβραϊκός, ἑβραικη, ἑβραικον, Hebrew: Luke 23:38 (R G L brackets Tr marginal reading brackets).

Topical Lexicon

Occurrence in Luke 23:38

“This was written above Him: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” (Luke 23:38)

The single use of Ἑβραϊκοῖς (Hebraikois) identifies one of the three languages in which Pontius Pilate ordered the superscription above Jesus’ cross. The wording emphasizes that the message was accessible to the Jewish population present at the crucifixion.

Historical Background: Trilingual Inscription

Pilate’s choice of Hebrew, Latin, and Greek mirrored the linguistic realities of first–century Jerusalem: Hebrew for the covenant people, Latin for the occupying Roman authority, and Greek for the wider Hellenistic world. By recording “Hebrew” specifically, Luke affirms that the declaration of Jesus’ kingship addressed the nation whose Scriptures foretold Messiah (Psalm 2:6; Zechariah 9:9). While the other Gospel writers mention the inscription (Matthew 27:37; Mark 15:26; John 19:19), Luke alone highlights the trilingual setting explicitly, underscoring the universality of the proclamation.

Connection to Old Testament Prophecy

The witness given in Hebrew links the crucifixion to the prophetic voice of the Old Testament spoken in that language. Psalm 22:16–18 and Isaiah 53 describe Messiah’s suffering; the Hebrew inscription openly ties Jesus of Nazareth to those texts, presenting Him as the long-awaited King even as He hangs in apparent defeat.

Gospel Theological Significance

1. Public Declaration: The wording “This is the King of the Jews” functions as unintended evangelism by a pagan governor, echoing Numbers 24:17, where a star will rise out of Jacob—a king for Israel.
2. Irony and Sovereignty: Pilate sought to mock, yet God used the notice to proclaim truth (Acts 2:23). Hebrew served as the covenant language, so Israel heard Heaven’s verdict on Jesus’ identity.
3. Inclusivity of Salvation: With Greek and Latin included, the message anticipates the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20). Hebrew’s presence confirms that the gospel is “to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16).

Implications for Language in the New Testament Era

Luke’s precision reveals that Hebrew remained a living, recognizable language in Jerusalem, alongside Aramaic. The term Ἑβραϊκοῖς distinguishes formal Hebrew from the vernacular Aramaic rendered by Ἑβραϊστί (John 19:20; Acts 21:40). Scripture’s consistency is evident: the Spirit inspired exact terms to show both continuity with Israel’s past and expansion to the Gentile world.

Ministry and Application

• Evangelism: Proclaim Christ’s kingship plainly in the “language of the hearers.”
• Apologetics: The trilingual inscription offers historical corroboration of Jesus’ crucifixion and identity, useful in defending the faith.
• Worship: Recognizing Jesus as King of the Jews invites deeper appreciation of the Old Testament roots of Christian faith (Romans 11:17–20).

Related Passages for Study

Matthew 27:37; Mark 15:26; John 19:19-22; Psalm 2:6; Psalm 22:16-18; Isaiah 53:5-12; Zechariah 9:9; Acts 2:36; Romans 1:16; Revelation 19:16

Forms and Transliterations

Εβραικοις Ἑβραικοῖς Ebraikois Hebraikois Hebraikoîs

Englishman's Concordance

Luke 23:38 Adj-DNP
GRK: Ρωμαικοῖς καὶ Ἑβραικοῖς
KJV: Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS
INT: Latin and Hebrew

Strong's Greek 1444
1 Occurrence

Ἑβραικοῖς — 1 Occ.