Definition and Etymology:
"Eloi" is an Aramaic term meaning "My God." It is a form of the Hebrew word "Elohim," which is commonly used in the Old Testament to refer to God. The term "Eloi" is notably used in the New Testament, specifically in the context of Jesus' crucifixion.

Biblical Reference:
The term "Eloi" is found in the Gospel of Mark, where it is part of Jesus' cry from the cross. In Mark 15:34 , it is recorded: "And at the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?' which means, 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?'" This expression is a direct quotation from Psalm 22:1, highlighting the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and the depth of Jesus' suffering.

Theological Significance:
The use of "Eloi" in Jesus' cry is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it underscores the humanity of Jesus, who, in His moment of greatest anguish, expresses a profound sense of abandonment. This moment is pivotal in understanding the mystery of the Incarnation, where Jesus, fully God and fully man, experiences the weight of human sin and separation from the Father.

Secondly, the cry "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" serves as a bridge between the Old and New Testaments. By quoting Psalm 22, Jesus not only fulfills prophecy but also invites believers to see the continuity of God's redemptive plan throughout Scripture. Psalm 22, which begins with a cry of despair, ultimately transitions into a declaration of trust and hope in God's deliverance, foreshadowing the resurrection.

Cultural and Historical Context:
In the first-century Jewish context, Aramaic was the common spoken language among the Jewish people in Palestine. Jesus' use of Aramaic on the cross reflects His cultural and linguistic environment. The Gospel of Mark, written for a Roman audience, includes the translation of "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" to ensure that non-Aramaic speakers could understand the significance of Jesus' words.

Interpretation and Application:
For Christians, Jesus' cry of "Eloi" is a profound reminder of His sacrificial love and the cost of redemption. It calls believers to reflect on the depth of Christ's suffering and the reality of His identification with human pain and alienation. This moment on the cross is a powerful testament to the lengths to which God went to reconcile humanity to Himself.

In personal application, the cry of "Eloi" can be a source of comfort for those experiencing feelings of abandonment or distress. It reassures believers that Jesus fully understands human suffering and is present with them in their trials. The ultimate hope found in the resurrection encourages Christians to trust in God's faithfulness, even in moments of despair.Eloi

See EI.

ELOI; ELOI; LAMA; SABACHTHA; ELI; ELI; LAMA SABACHTHANI

e'-loi, e-lo'i, la'-ma, sa-bakh-tha'-ni, or (Eloi, eloi, lama sabachthanei):

The forms of the first word as translated vary in the two narratives, being in Mark as first above and in Matthew as in second reading.

With some perversions of form probably from Psalm 22:1 ('eli 'eli lamah `azabhtani). A statement uttered by Jesus on the cross just before his death, translated, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46 Mark 15:34).

There is an interesting but difficult problem in connection with the interpretation of this passage. There seems to be a mixture of Aramaic and Hebrew.

The first two words, whether in Hebrew or Aramaic, have sufficient similarity to each other and each sufficient similarity to the name itself to warrant the jeer that Jesus was calling upon Elias, or the sincere supposition of those who might not fully understand the language, that he was actually calling on Elias.

The forms lema and lama used in Matthew and Mark respectively (Westcott and Hort, The New Testament in Greek) represent the various possible forms, the first the Aramaic, and the second the Hebrew. The various readings and translations of the latter word, sabachthani, only add confusion to an effort at ultimate explanation of the real statement. Certainly the influence of the Aramaic played a geat part in the translation and transmission of the original. The spirit revealed by Jesus in this utterance seems to be very much like that displayed in the Garden when He cried out to have the cup removed from Him.

Walter G. Clippinger

ELOI

e'-loi, e-lo'-i.

See GOD, NAMES OF.

1682. eloi -- my God
... 1681, 1682. eloi. 1683 . ... Word Origin of Aramaic origin elah with pronoun
suff. Definition my God NASB Word Usage Eloi (2). Eloi. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1682.htm - 6k

The Eloi.
... THE ELOI. "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?""ST Matthew 27:46.
I do not know that I should dare to approach this, of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the eloi.htm

The Hands of the Father.
... "Father, into thy hand I commend my spirit.""St Luke 23:46. Neither St Matthew nor
St Mark tells us of any words uttered by our Lord after the Eloi. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the hands of the father.htm

The Crucifixion.
... of Bible language, the words would be the same]: ^b 34 And at { ^a about} the ninth
hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli { ^b Eloi, Eloi,} lama ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxiii the crucifixion 3.htm

The Death of Jesus
... And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?
which is, being interpreted, My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 15 33-41 the death of.htm

The Fourth Word
... THE DEVOTION OF THE THREE HOURS V THE FOURTH WORD. "Eloi, Eloi, lama
sabachthani.""Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34. There are three peculiar ...
//christianbookshelf.org/beibitz/gloria crucis/v the fourth word.htm

Crucified, Dead and Buried
... voice, saying: "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is, being interpreted,
"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?". And some ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter xv crucified dead and.htm

The Crucifixion.
... And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"
which is, being interpreted. "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the crucifixion.htm

Jesus is Crucified by his Enemies
... At that hour Jesus cried aloud, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani," which means, "My
God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" When they heard it, some who stood by ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jesus is crucified by his.htm

Section 6, 7. When the Word and Son Hungered, Wept, and was ...
... When then He is said to hunger and weep and weary, and to cry Eloi, Eloi, which
are our human affections, He receives them from us and offers to the Father ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/section 6 7 when the.htm

Texts Explained; Twelfthly, Matthew xxvi. 39; John xii. 27, &C. ...
... He God, and Word of the Father?" Yea, it is written that He wept, O God's enemies,
and that He said, I am troubled,' and on the Cross He said, Eloi, Eloi, lama ...
/.../chapter xxix texts explained twelfthly matthew.htm

Eloi (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ELOI; ELOI; LAMA; SABACHTHA; ELI; ELI;
LAMA SABACHTHANI. e'-loi, e-lo'i, la'-ma, sa-bakh-tha'-ni ...
/e/eloi.htm - 9k

Lama (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ELOI; ELOI; LAMA; SABACHTHA; ELI; ELI;
LAMA SABACHTHANI. e'-loi, e-lo'i, la'-ma, sa-bakh-tha'-ni ...
/l/lama.htm - 9k

Sabachthani (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ELOI; ELOI; LAMA; SABACHTHA; ELI; ELI;
LAMA SABACHTHANI. e'-loi, e-lo'i, la'-ma, sa-bakh-tha'-ni ...
/s/sabachthani.htm - 9k

Eli (36 Occurrences)
... Mark (15:34), as usual, gives the original Aramaic form of the word, Eloi. Int. ... AC
Grant. ELOI; ELOI; LAMA; SABACHTHA; ELI; ELI; LAMA SABACHTHANI. ...
/e/eli.htm - 24k

Sabachtha
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ELOI; ELOI; LAMA; SABACHTHA; ELI; ELI;
LAMA SABACHTHANI. e'-loi, e-lo'i, la'-ma, sa-bakh-tha'-ni ...
/s/sabachtha.htm - 8k

E'lo-I (1 Occurrence)
E'lo-I. Eloi, E'lo-I. Eloieloi . Multi-Version Concordance E'lo-I (1 Occurrence).
Mark ... RSV). Eloi, E'lo-I. Eloieloi . Reference Bible.
/e/e'lo-i.htm - 6k

Ninth (35 Occurrences)
... Mark 15:34 At the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, "Eloi, Eloi,
lama sabachthani?" which is, being interpreted, "My God, my God, why have you ...
/n/ninth.htm - 18k

Loud (222 Occurrences)
... Mark 15:34 At the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, "Eloi, Eloi,
lama sabachthani?" which is, being interpreted, "My God, my God, why have you ...
/l/loud.htm - 37k

La'ma (2 Occurrences)
... Mark 15:34 At the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, "Eloi, Eloi,
lama sabachthani?" which is, being interpreted, "My God, my God, why have you ...
/l/la'ma.htm - 6k

Lamalama (2 Occurrences)
... Mark 15:34 and at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a great voice, saying, 'Eloi,
Eloi, lamma sabachthani?' which is, being interpreted, 'My God, my God, why ...
/l/lamalama.htm - 6k

What is the meaning of the word Elohim? | GotQuestions.org

What were the seven last words of Jesus Christ on the cross and what do they mean? | GotQuestions.org

What language did Jesus speak? | GotQuestions.org

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