Language: Chaldee
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Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction:
Chaldee, often referred to as Aramaic in biblical studies, is a Semitic language closely related to Hebrew. It holds significant importance in the context of the Old Testament, particularly during the period of the Babylonian exile. The term "Chaldee" is derived from the Chaldeans, an ancient people who inhabited the region of southern Babylonia. This language became prominent as the lingua franca of the Near East during the Neo-Babylonian and Persian empires.

Biblical Context:
Chaldee is notably present in certain portions of the Old Testament, where it is used instead of Hebrew. The most prominent sections written in Chaldee include parts of the books of Daniel and Ezra. These sections reflect the historical and cultural context of the Jewish people during and after the Babylonian exile.

Key Biblical Passages:
1. Daniel 2:4-7:28 · This section of the Book of Daniel is written in Chaldee. It begins with the Chaldeans speaking to King Nebuchadnezzar in Aramaic: "Then the Chaldeans answered the king in Aramaic: 'O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will give the interpretation.'" (Daniel 2:4). The use of Chaldee here underscores the setting in the Babylonian court and the interactions with the Chaldean wise men.

2. Ezra 4:8-6:18; 7:12-26 · These passages in the Book of Ezra are also written in Chaldee. They include official correspondence and decrees from Persian kings, reflecting the administrative language of the empire. For example, Ezra 4:8 begins with, "Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes as follows:" .

Historical Significance:
The use of Chaldee in these biblical texts highlights the historical reality of the Jewish exile and the subsequent Persian period. As the Jews were exiled to Babylon, they encountered the Chaldean language, which influenced their own linguistic practices. By the time of the Persian Empire, Aramaic had become the dominant language of administration and commerce, further embedding itself into Jewish life and scripture.

Linguistic Characteristics:
Chaldee, or Aramaic, shares many similarities with Hebrew, including its script and vocabulary. However, it also exhibits distinct grammatical and phonetic features. The adoption of Chaldee by the Jewish people during the exile and post-exilic period reflects a broader cultural and linguistic assimilation into the surrounding empires.

Theological Implications:
The presence of Chaldee in the Bible serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and faithfulness during times of exile and foreign domination. It illustrates the adaptability and resilience of the Jewish faith and culture, even when faced with external pressures. The use of Chaldee in prophetic and historical narratives underscores the universal reach of God's message, transcending linguistic and cultural barriers.

Conclusion:
The Chaldee language, as seen in the biblical texts, provides valuable insights into the historical and cultural milieu of the Jewish people during the Babylonian and Persian periods. Its presence in the Bible is a testament to the enduring nature of God's word, communicated through diverse languages and contexts.
Nave's Topical Index
Daniel 1:4
Children in whom was no blemish, but well favored, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
Nave's Topical Index

Greek
1446. Hebrais -- Hebrew, the Aramaic vernacular of Pal.
... NASB Word Usage Hebrew (3). Hebrew. From Eber; the Hebraistic (Hebrew) or Jewish
(Chaldee) language -- Hebrew. see GREEK Eber. (ebraidi) -- 3 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1446.htm - 6k

1447. Hebraisti -- in Hebrew, in Aramaic
... in the Hebrew tongue. Adverb from Hebrais; Hebraistically or in the Jewish (Chaldee)
language -- in (the) Hebrew (tongue). see GREEK Hebrais. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1447.htm - 6k

Library

Daniel.
... Whether it be that the language is Chaldee, which differs in certain peculiarities
from our speech, and the Seventy were unwilling to follow those deviations ...
//christianbookshelf.org/jerome/the principal works of st jerome/daniel.htm

The Original Text and Its History.
... of Jeremiah, (Ezra 4:8-6:18; 7:12-26; Dan.2:4, from the middle of the verse to end
of chap.7; Jer.10:11,) which are written in the cognate Chaldee language. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xiv the original text.htm

Ancient Versions of the Old Testament.
... 13. The Chaldee word Targum means interpretation, and is applied to the translations
or paraphrases of the Old Testament in the Chaldee language. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xvi ancient versions of.htm

Arbel. Shezor. Tarnegola the Upper.
... Geber, those that are versed in the Talmudic writings will easily perceive; for
in them 'a cock' is indifferently called in the Chaldee language Tarnegola, and ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 85 arbel shezor tarnegola.htm

Index of Subjects.
... Canticles, 292. Chaldaisms, 307. Chaldee language, parts of the Old Testament written
in it, 175. See further under Targums. Chapters, origin of, 174, 377. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barrows/companion to the bible/index of subjects.htm

The Great Slaughters and Sacrilege that were in Jerusalem.
... But Josephus wrote his former edition for the use of the Jews beyond Euphrates,
and so in the Chaldee language, as he did this second edition in the Greek ...
/.../chapter 13 the great slaughters.htm

Messiah's Innocence vindicated
... we suppose that a time should come, when the English language should be ... Such assistance,
we derive from the Chaldee, Syriac, Greek, and other ancient versions ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xxiv messiahs innocence vindicated.htm

Title and Position.
... of Babylonian, Palestinian, or Alexandrian extraction will depend in a great measure
on the view taken as to the original language, whether Chaldee, Hebrew, or ...
/.../daubney/the three additions to daniel a study/title and position.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... The writer employs both Hebrew and Chaldee, thus indicating that he lives during
the period of transition from the former to the latter language. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

The Historical Books. 1 the New Testament...
... gospel according to the Hebrews," and more fully as "the gospel according to the
Hebrews, which is written indeed in the Chaldee and Syriac language, but in ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxix the historical books.htm

Resources
What is dynamic equivalence in Bible translation? | GotQuestions.org

What is the spiritual gift of interpreting tongues? | GotQuestions.org

What is metaethics? | GotQuestions.org

Language: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Language

Language of all Mankind One at First

Language of some Nations Difficult

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Language: Ancient Kingdoms often Comprehended Nations of Different

Language: Ashdod

Language: Called: Speech

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Language: Chaldee

Language: Confusion of

Language: Confusion of a Punishment for Presumption

Language: Confusion of Divided Men Into Separated Nations

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Language: Kinds of, Mentioned: Arabic

Language: Kinds of, Mentioned: Chaldea

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Language: Power of Speaking Different: Conferred by Laying on of the Apostles' Hands

Language: Power of Speaking Different: Followed Receiving the Gospel

Language: Power of Speaking Different: Given on the Day of Pentecost

Language: Power of Speaking Different: Necessary to Spread of the Gospel

Language: Power of Speaking Different: Promised

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Language: Speaking in Inspired "Tongues" Forbidden

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Language: The Term Barbarian Applied to Those Who Spoke a Strange

Language: Unity of

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Related Terms

Figurative (20 Occurrences)

Ethiopic

Chaldee

Rabshakeh (15 Occurrences)

Interpret (27 Occurrences)

Script (5 Occurrences)

Arabic

Barbarous (1 Occurrence)

Barbarian (2 Occurrences)

Commonly (5 Occurrences)

Coptic

Syrian (12 Occurrences)

Alphabet (2 Occurrences)

Gothic

Confusion (71 Occurrences)

Latin (2 Occurrences)

Jew (34 Occurrences)

Judean (7 Occurrences)

Rab'shakeh (14 Occurrences)

Rab-shakeh (14 Occurrences)

Aramaean (13 Occurrences)

Abusive (7 Occurrences)

Slavonic

Clearly (67 Occurrences)

Jewish (49 Occurrences)

Armenian

Provinces (40 Occurrences)

Georgian

Veiled (23 Occurrences)

Baptist (16 Occurrences)

Lieutenants (4 Occurrences)

Lycaonia (2 Occurrences)

Word (8118 Occurrences)

Impious (19 Occurrences)

Fourth (87 Occurrences)

Translate (3 Occurrences)

Mouth (534 Occurrences)

Matthew (5 Occurrences)

Confound (9 Occurrences)

Chaldees (13 Occurrences)

Colors (12 Occurrences)

Charity (29 Occurrences)

Aramean (17 Occurrences)

Accad (1 Occurrence)

Satraps (12 Occurrences)

Secretaries (5 Occurrences)

Aramaic (12 Occurrences)

Color (18 Occurrences)

Elamarna

Tablets (31 Occurrences)

El-amarna

Except (236 Occurrences)

Lion (92 Occurrences)

People's (37 Occurrences)

Cross (157 Occurrences)

Eliakim (14 Occurrences)

Greek (19 Occurrences)

Three (5005 Occurrences)

Targum

Tell (3056 Occurrences)

Speaks (109 Occurrences)

Speech (107 Occurrences)

Cush (31 Occurrences)

Septuagint

Manasses (1 Occurrence)

Lip (20 Occurrences)

Bel (3 Occurrences)

Governors (43 Occurrences)

Susanna (1 Occurrence)

Version

Shebna (9 Occurrences)

Pisidia (2 Occurrences)

Dragon (20 Occurrences)

Spoke (799 Occurrences)

Library

Messenger (235 Occurrences)

Writing (194 Occurrences)

Semites

Languages (36 Occurrences)

Language: Called: Tongue
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