Contents

INTRODUCTION

Greek, Aramaic, or Hebrew

Aramaic or Hebrew

A Road Map

PART ONE: HISTORICAL AND BIBLICAL EVIDENCE

1 A Brief History of Hebrew

Biblical Hebrew

Intertestamental Hebrew

Mishnaic Hebrew

Bar Kochba

2 Where Does Aramaic Fit In?

Transliterated Names and Words in the New Testament

Ben/Bar

Targumim

3 The New Testament Evidence

4 Is Hebrew Really Aramaic?

Nehemiah and Ezra

Semitic Words in the New Testament

Septuagint

Josephus

The Letter of Aristeas

Jerome

Fragments of Papias

PART TWO: THE WORDS OF JESUS AND THE GOSPELS

Transliteration

5 Words Stated to be Hebrew by the New Testament Writers

Sabbatha and Pascha

Bethesda

Gabbatha

Golgotha

6 Eloi, Eloi, Lama Sabachtani

Eloi

Lama

Shabachtani

7 Hebrew Words Spoken by Jesus in the Galilee

Talitha Kumi

Ephphatha

Mammon

Korban

Raca

8 Other Hebrew Words in the New Testament

9 Conclusion: Jesus Spoke Hebrew as His Primary Language

Appendix: Sign on the Cross of Jesus