Lexical Summary Hebraisti: In Hebrew, in the Hebrew language Original Word: Ἑβραϊστί Strong's Exhaustive Concordance in the Hebrew tongue. Adverb from Hebrais; Hebraistically or in the Jewish (Chaldee) language -- in (the) Hebrew (tongue). see GREEK Hebrais NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originadverb from Hebrais Definition in Hebrew, in Aramaic NASB Translation Hebrew (7). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1447: ἙβραϊστίἙβραϊστί (WH Αβραϊστί, see their Introductory § 408), adverb, (ἑβραίζω), in Hebrew, i. e. in Chaldee (see the foregoing word and references): John 5:2; John 19:13, 17, 20; (xx. 16 T Tr WH L brackets); Revelation 9:11; Revelation 16:16. (Sir. prol. line 13.) Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 1447 (Ἑβραϊστί) designates speech “in Hebrew,” a term the New Testament writers employ seven times to preserve a Semitic original within the inspired Greek text. By retaining key Hebrew or Aramaic expressions, Scripture anchors New-Covenant revelation to Old-Covenant roots, underlining the continuity of God’s redemptive work and the authenticity of eyewitness testimony. The Hebrew Tongue as Covenant Memory Hebrew was the sacred language of the Tanakh, the covenant documents entrusted to Israel (Romans 3:2). When the apostolic writers signal “in Hebrew,” they remind readers that the God who spoke at Sinai is the same God acting in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The phrase thus functions as a literary thread tying the Gospel era to the ancient promises. Seven New Testament Occurrences 1. John 5:2 – Bethesda These references cluster in two books—John and Revelation—authored by the apostle John, highlighting his concern to authenticate events through precise geographic and linguistic markers. Gospel of John: Places, Judgment, and Personal Address • Bethesda (John 5:2) situates Jesus’ healing ministry at a pool whose very name (“House of Mercy”) foreshadows the grace offered in the Messiah. Apocalyptic Naming in Revelation • Abaddon (Revelation 9:11) reveals the destructive character of the abyss: “His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek it is Apollyon.” Literary and Theological Purposes of Retaining Hebrew Terms 1. Veracity: Eyewitness precision marks locations and events. Historical-Linguistic Context During Second-Temple Judaism, Aramaic predominated in daily speech, while Hebrew remained the language of Scripture and liturgy. By the first century, Greek served as the lingua franca of the empire. The inspired writers therefore translate Hebrew names for gentile readers yet preserve the originals to honor Israel’s heritage and to maintain semantic force often lost in translation. Doctrinal Insights • Inspiration safeguards not only ideas but specific words; preserving Hebrew terms demonstrates verbal precision. Practical Ministry Applications • Teaching: Highlight Hebrew names when preaching to illuminate Old-Testament connections and enrich understanding of Christ’s work. The careful use of Ἑβραϊστί in the New Testament thus serves as a linguistic bridge, reinforcing both the reliability of the biblical record and the integrated nature of God’s redemptive revelation. Forms and Transliterations Εβραιστι Ἐβραϊστί Ἐβραϊστὶ Ἑβραϊστί Ἑβραϊστὶ εγγαστριμύθοις εγγαστρίμυθον εγγαστρίμυθος εγγαστριμύθους εγγαστριμύθω εγγαστριμύθων Ebraisti Ebraïstí EbraïstìLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance John 5:2 AdvGRK: ἡ ἐπιλεγομένη Ἐβραϊστὶ Βηθζαθά πέντε NAS: which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, KJV: is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, INT: which [is] called in Aramaic Bethesda five John 19:13 Adv John 19:17 Adv John 19:20 Adv John 20:16 Adv Revelation 9:11 Adv Revelation 16:16 Adv |
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