Language: Parthian and Other Lands
Jump to: Nave'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
The Parthian language, an ancient Iranian language, was spoken in the region of Parthia, which corresponds to modern-day northeastern Iran. Parthia was a significant cultural and political entity during the time of the New Testament, particularly under the Parthian Empire, which was a major power from the 3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD. The Parthians are notably mentioned in the context of the Day of Pentecost in the Book of Acts.

In Acts 2:9-11 , the Parthians are listed among the diverse groups present in Jerusalem who heard the apostles speaking in their own languages: "Parthians, Medes, Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism; Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" This passage highlights the miraculous event where the Holy Spirit enabled the apostles to speak in various languages, allowing people from different regions to understand the message of the Gospel in their native tongues.

The mention of Parthians in this context underscores the widespread influence and reach of the early Christian message. The Parthian Empire, known for its cultural diversity and tolerance, was home to various ethnic groups and languages. The presence of Parthians in Jerusalem during Pentecost suggests the far-reaching impact of Jewish diaspora communities and the interconnectedness of the ancient world.

The Parthian language itself, part of the Northwestern Iranian language group, was used in official inscriptions and documents of the Parthian Empire. It was written in the Pahlavi script, which was derived from the Aramaic script. The use of Aramaic as a lingua franca in the region further facilitated communication across different cultures and languages, including Hebrew and Greek, which were also prevalent during the New Testament period.

The inclusion of Parthians in the Acts narrative serves as a testament to the universality of the Christian message and the fulfillment of the prophecy that the Gospel would be proclaimed to all nations. It reflects the early Church's mission to transcend cultural and linguistic barriers, reaching out to diverse peoples and lands with the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Nave's Topical Index
Acts 2:9-11
Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Personal History of Herod - the Two Worlds in Jerusalem.
... warned his brother and Hyrcanus against the Parthian, had been ... was pursuing its course,
by the side of the other. ... If Greek was the language of the court and ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ii the personal history.htm

The Jewish World in the Days of Christ - the Jewish Dispersion in ...
... Syrian rule gave place to the Parthian Empire, [38 ... Hebrews,' and speaks of the Greek
as our language.'. ... earth' - these are the exiles in other lands, whose minds ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i the jewish world.htm

Book 13 Footnotes
... He is language of the Eastern nations. ... lie from the lesser councils of seven in the
other cities to ... of, p.83, that Arsaces, who raised the Parthian empire, was ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 13 footnotes.htm

The Sibylline Oracles.
... the author utters his Messianic hopes in glowing language, contrasting the ... with Rome,
and passing thence to other kingdoms and lands, and concludes ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the sibylline oracles.htm

The Apocalypse of Baruch.
... such a book have been composed in the Greek language. ... to the Jews dispersed in the
Parthian kingdom; "across ... the dispersion is found in many other documents of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the apocalypse of baruch.htm

The Complaint: Or, Night Thoughts.
... And other worlds send odours, sauce, and song,. ... Such is the language of the
man awake; ... Nor, like the Parthian, wound him as they fly; ...
/.../young/youngs night thoughts/the complaint or night thoughts.htm

The Temples and the Gods of Chaldaea
... between the brick courses belong to the Parthian period. ... had we not learned, by means
of other documents, to ... The Sumerian language is for us, at the present day ...
/.../chapter iithe temples and the.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... as late as the Persian or Parthian period. ... position which it occupies among the other
names obliges ... alphabet gradually superseded the ancient language and mode ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... Under the Parthian kings Media paid a yearly tribute of ... up in E-Sagilla and the other
buildings of ... to the delightful rhythm and beautiful language employed by ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

Resources
Should Bible translations use gender-inclusive language? | GotQuestions.org

What are the five love languages? | GotQuestions.org

What is Biblical Hebrew? Why was the Old Testament written in Hebrew? | GotQuestions.org

Language: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Language

Language of all Mankind One at First

Language of some Nations Difficult

Language of the New Testament

Language: Ancient Kingdoms often Comprehended Nations of Different

Language: Ashdod

Language: Called: Speech

Language: Called: Tongue

Language: Chaldee

Language: Confusion of

Language: Confusion of a Punishment for Presumption

Language: Confusion of Divided Men Into Separated Nations

Language: Confusion of Originated the Varieties In

Language: Confusion of Scattered Men Over the Earth

Language: Dialects of the Jews

Language: Egyptian

Language: Gift of

Language: Great Variety of, Spoken by Men

Language: Greek

Language: Interpretation of a Gift of the Holy Spirit

Language: Interpretation of Antiquity of Engaging Persons For

Language: Interpretation of Most Important in the Early Church

Language: Interpretation of The Jews Punished by Being Given up to People of a Strange

Language: Kinds of, Mentioned: Arabic

Language: Kinds of, Mentioned: Chaldea

Language: Kinds of, Mentioned: Egyptian

Language: Kinds of, Mentioned: Greek

Language: Kinds of, Mentioned: Hebrew

Language: Kinds of, Mentioned: Latin

Language: Kinds of, Mentioned: Lycaonian

Language: Kinds of, Mentioned: Syriack

Language: Latin

Language: Lycaonian

Language: Many Spoken at Jerusalem

Language: Parthian and Other Lands

Language: Power of Speaking Different: A Gift of the Holy Spirit

Language: Power of Speaking Different: A Sign to Unbelievers

Language: Power of Speaking Different: Ceased when the Written Bible Completed

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

Language: Power of Speaking Different: Sometimes Abused

Language: Speaking in Inspired "Tongues" Forbidden

Language: Syrian

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

Language: Unity of

Vulgar Language

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: Many Spoken at Jerusalem
Top of Page
Top of Page