GOD in Arabic, Aramaic and Hebrew INTRO

A linguistic comparison of the generic use of the word for GOD in Arabic, Aramaic and Hebrew.

In today’s multi-cultural society, there is often a quandary about how to deal with the various cultural conceptualizations of GOD. The goal of this literature review is to speak to possible misconceptions by a clearer understanding of the word for GOD in three Semitic languages: Arabic, Aramaic and Hebrew.

WHY THESE LANGUAGES WERE CHOSEN
First Arabic Aramaic and Hebrew are all Semitic languages that come out of one common root: Ancient Semitic. Second each of these three languages are the original language used for three monotheistic faiths:
Arabic - Islam,
Aramaic - Christianity,
Hebrew - Judaism.
Although some may differ with the choice of Aramaic verses Greek for Christianity; Aramaic was the language spoken by Messiah. [1, 2] Many statements Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ) made in the gospel testimonies are recorded in Aramaic:
“Talitha Kumi” (little girl arise)[3, 4]
“Ephphatha” (be opened)[5]
“Eloi Eloi lama sabakthani!”
(My God, My God, Why have You forsaken Me!).[6, 7]

Aramaic was the lingua franca of the Near East by the 5th Century B.C. [2] Interestingly enough is a most recent Dead Sea Scrolls discovery places Aramaic Scripture much earlier than any known Greek documents. [8]
Also, parts of the following books in Scripture are recorded in Aramaic:
* Ezra chapter 4.8 thru chapter 6.18
* Ezra chapter 7.12-26
* Jeremiah chapters 10 and 11
* Daniel chapter 2.4 thru chapter 7.28. [2]
The Apostle Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians used the Aramaic word: Maranatha. [9, 10] Mar mean Lord, [11, 13] thus the meaning: “our Lord comes.”
Churches which still use Aramaic as their liturgical language include:
* The Church of the East
* The Chaldean Catholic Church
* The Syriac Orthodox Church
* The Syriac Catholic Church
* The Maronite Catholic Church.
[12]

DISCLAIMER:
I wish to make abundantly clear that all these words we will be discussing are the generic representations of the word GOD in these three languages.

For the purposes of this study, the personal name of GOD by any faith is not the subject of this study.

Therefore, no belief in any personal GOD is being discussed or considered here. Any mention of a personal name of GOD is only as it relates directly to the generic use of the word for GOD in that language.

This study is not designed to disgrace or promote any of these three faiths. It is a language comparison of the general use of the word GOD.

REFERENCES

1. Drumwright, Huber L., “A Chronology Of Bible Translation” in Bible Study Helps, p 9, The Holy Bible: Self Pronouncing Edition. The World Publishing Company. Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America.
2. Drumwright, Huber L. “The Languages of the Bible” in INTRODUCING THE BIBLE in Bible Study Helps, p. 3. The Holy Bible: Self Pronouncing Edition. The World Publishing Company. Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America.
3. Mark 5.41
4. Luke 8.54
5. Mark 7.34
6. Matthew 27.46
7. Mark 15.34
8. Retrieved July 19, 2024 https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/uv-light-reveals-hidden-never-before-seen-version-of-the-gospel-of-matthew-on-ancient-parchment
9. I Corinthians 16.22
10. Drumwright, Huber L., “The Languages of the Bible” in INTRODUCING THE BIBLE in Bible Study Helps, pp. 3-4 by Huber L Drumwright. The Holy Bible: Self Pronouncing Edition. The World Publishing Company. Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America.
11. Halloworld3 What word did Jesus use for God in Aramaic? answered Oct 26, 2013 at 9:54 edited Oct 26, 2013 at 10:08 Retrieved 20240527 https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/20240/what-word-did-jesus-use-for-god-in-aramaic
12. Younan, Paul D., History of Aramaic, June 1, 2000. @ http://peshitta.org/ Retrieved January 2, 2024.
13. Retrieved October 15, 2022 http://www.thearamaicscriptures.com/maryayhwh.html

Sandy Lynn Duren, BSN, BS, BA
Director of W.W.J.D.
Published by WWJD media August 12, 2024
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