Topical Bible: Language: Syrian

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Topical Encyclopedia

The term "Syrian" in the context of the Bible often refers to the Aramaic language, which was widely spoken in the ancient Near East, including the region of Syria. Aramaic, a Semitic language closely related to Hebrew, became the lingua franca of the Assyrian and Babylonian empires and later the Persian Empire. It was the common language of the Jewish people during the time of Jesus and the early Christian church.

Historical Context

The use of Aramaic as a dominant language began around the 8th century BC, during the Neo-Assyrian Empire. As the Assyrians expanded their territory, they adopted Aramaic as the administrative language due to its simplicity and widespread use among conquered peoples. This adoption continued under the Neo-Babylonian and Persian empires, further solidifying its status as a common language across the region.

Biblical References

In the Old Testament, Aramaic is present in several passages. Notably, portions of the books of Daniel and Ezra are written in Aramaic. In Daniel 2:4, the text shifts from Hebrew to Aramaic: "Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Aramaic: 'O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will give the interpretation.'" . This section continues in Aramaic until Daniel 7:28.

Ezra 4:7-6:18 and 7:12-26 also contain Aramaic text, reflecting the language used in official correspondence during the Persian period. Ezra 4:7 states, "And in the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his associates wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia. The letter was written in Aramaic script and in the Aramaic language." .

New Testament Context

By the time of the New Testament, Aramaic was the everyday language of the Jewish people in Judea and Galilee. Jesus Himself likely spoke Aramaic, as evidenced by several Aramaic phrases preserved in the Gospels. For instance, in Mark 5:41, Jesus raises Jairus's daughter with the words, "Talitha koum," which means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!" .

Another example is found in Mark 15:34, where Jesus, on the cross, cries out, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which is translated, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" . This phrase is a direct quotation from Psalm 22:1, demonstrating the continuity of language and religious tradition.

Cultural and Religious Significance

The use of Aramaic in the Bible highlights the cultural and linguistic diversity of the ancient Near East. It underscores the historical interactions between the Israelites and their neighbors, as well as the influence of empires on the region. Aramaic's role as a common language facilitated communication and the spread of ideas, including religious teachings.

In the early Christian church, Aramaic-speaking communities played a significant role in the spread of the Gospel. The Peshitta, an early Syriac translation of the Bible, reflects the enduring influence of the Aramaic language in Christian history. Syriac, a dialect of Aramaic, became the liturgical language of several Eastern Christian traditions, preserving the linguistic heritage of the early church.

Conclusion

The Syrian language, primarily represented by Aramaic in the biblical context, serves as a testament to the historical and cultural milieu of the ancient Near East. Its presence in the Scriptures provides valuable insights into the linguistic and social dynamics of the biblical world.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 18:26
Then said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebna, and Joah, to Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray you, to your servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and talk not with us in the Jews' language in the ears of the people that are on the wall.
Nave's Topical Index

Ezra 4:7
And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, to Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue.
Nave's Topical Index

Daniel 2:4
Then spoke the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.
Nave's Topical Index

Strong's Hebrew

762. Aramith -- the language of Aram (Syria)
... in the Syrian language, in Syriac. Feminine of 'Arammiy; (only adverbial)in Aramean --
in the Syrian language (tongue), in Syriac. see HEBREW 'Arammiy. ...
/hebrew/762.htm - 6k

Library

Bardesanes the Syrian and his Extant Works.
... the Syrian he seemed in general one of the most pernicious of heretics, who
nevertheless pretended to be orthodox, veiling his errors in ambiguous language, ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxx bardesanes the syrian and.htm

Of Didymus of Alexandria and Ephraim the Syrian.
... at variance with the truth. Ephraim, employing the Syrian language, shed
beams of spiritual grace. Totally untainted as he was by ...
/.../chapter xxvi of didymus of alexandria.htm

Introductory Dissertation.
... force in literature, not merely to elevate and enrich its language, but to ... that,
in the Church everywhere, he stands as the representative Syrian Father, as ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/introductory dissertation.htm

The New Testament
... the Old Testament and the Gospels were at first used by the Syrian Christians, and ...
These were Latin, Syriac, and the Coptic language spoken by the Egyptians. ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter i the new testament.htm

Language and Style.
... piece, whether genuine or fictitious, would hardly have been appended in another
language. ... of the composition is much more in accordance with Syrian than with ...
/.../daubney/the three additions to daniel a study/language and style 3.htm

The Syrian Enrollment in 8 Bc
... any Roman interference in its affairs was needed, the Syrian governor marched ... His
language is quite explicit, and could be misinterpreted only through prejudice ...
/.../ramsay/was christ born in bethlehem/chapter 8 the syrian enrollment.htm

Celsus, Therefore, not Investigating in a Spirit of Impartiality ...
... a hatred also of their mother tongue, [3454] how did it happen that after so doing
they did not rather adopt the Syrian or Phoenician language, instead of ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter vi celsus therefore not.htm

Relations with Nestorius and to Nestorianism.
... Probably both the Egyptian and the Syrian would have found no difficulty in subscribing
the language of our own judicious divine; "a kind of mutual commutation ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/iii relations with nestorius and to.htm

Who are These Men who are Wont to Dispute at Such Great Length in ...
... Is it to be imputed to him as a crime that he knows the Greek, the Syrian, the
Hebrew, the Egyptian, and in part also the Latin language? ...
/.../22 who are these men.htm

For Eight Years Gregory Has Given up the Practice Of
... Roman tongue, which is a wonderful and magnificent sort of language, and one ... He refers
to Caius, Papinian, Ulpian; all, probably, of Syrian origin, and using ...
/.../argument i for eight years gregory.htm