HEBREW

Hello Friends,

Today I will begin writing about a topic that took me many years to see as clearly as I do today. My intention is to help bring awareness to you; that you might begin seeking out what has been done to deceive the nations by the intentional manipulation; and, misrepresentation of the Bibles Text; the Messiah Himself; and, what He is asking of us.

When we look up the English word “Hebrew” in the Bible it appears 31 times in the NKJV. This happens to be the text I use regularly for my own daily reading; and, as a starting point to dive into the text.

Frequently; because we simply read the English, we completely miss that there are often multiple underlying Greek and Hebrew words that are rendered with just one English word. This can create confusion; causing the English to hide what we really need to see.

In the Hebrew TaNaK (The Old Testament) the Hebrew word most frequently used for “Hebrew” underlying the English is: H5680 עִבְרִי ‛ibrı̂y ib-ree'. Patronymic from H5677; an Eberite (that is, Hebrew) or descendant of Eber: - Hebrew (-ess, woman). Total KJV occurrences: 34

When we arrive in the New Testament the very first place “Hebrew” appears is in the Gospel of Luke 22:38: 

“And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin; and, Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Here in this passage the underlying GREEK term used for Hebrew is: G1444 Ἑβραΐκός Hebraikos heb-rah-ee-kos' From G1443; Hebraic or the Jewish language: - Hebrew. Total KJV occurrences: 1

However, from this point forward there is another Greek word; in the Greek of the New Testament, that is rendered as "Hebrew" in English; but, has brought great; great confusion.

Friends, Yahweh יהוה is not the author of Confusion.

Here are the passages of the New Testament we are going to ZERO IN ON:

• John 5:52 G 1447

• John 19:13 G 1447 

• John 19:17 G 1447

• John 19:20 G 1447

• Acts 21:40 G 1446

• Acts 22:2 G 1446

• Acts 26:14 G 1446

• Revelation 9:11 G 1447

• Revelation 16:16 G 1447

In English, we most frequently see in these passages the word “Hebrew” or the phrase “In the Hebrew Tongue.” Most people simply read the English; and, are completely satisfied without any further investigation. Never arriving at the truth. But, buried in the Strong's we get more data that has more far reaching implications than we can possibly imagine for Western Bible readers.

G1447 Ἑβραΐστί Hebraisti heb-rah-is-tee' Adverb from G1446; Hebraistically or in the Jewish (Chaldee) language: - in (the) Hebrew (tongue). Total KJV occurrences: 6

            G1446: Ἑβραΐ́ς Hebrais heb-rah-is' From G1443; the Hebraistic            (that is, Hebrew) or Jewish (Chaldee) language: - Hebrew.            Total KJV occurrences: 3

Chaldee means “ARAMAIC”

The Children of Israel would COPY the method that was used by the Assyrians; Babylonians; and, Persians in the government; and, administration of their Empires. The Use of TWO (2) Languages. Akkadian; and, Aramaic.

The Language of the Chaldeans ARAMAIC; would be adopted by the Children of Israel (both Houses) during their Captivity. The entire nation of Israel; both Houses; the Northern Tribes (The House of Israel); and the Southern Tribes (The House of Judah) were exposed to the Babylonian Aramaic for an extended period of time; with Judah being exposed to Aramaic for 70 years.

Professor Michael Wingert

       

DOWNLOAND HERE                               DOWNLOAD HERE  

Those of the Northern Tribes (The House of Israel) who would never return to the land; became like the nations that absorbed them, adopting the Arabic when Islamic Expansion; beginning in the 7th Century, would crush the Aramaic Speaking Nations. They became intermingled with the nations (goyim).

• Pre-7th Century: Aramaic was the widespread lingua franca of the Near East, used by empires and diverse populations.
  
  
• 7th Century Onward (Islamic Conquests): With the spread of Islam, Arabic became the dominant language of administration, literature, and daily life across the Levant and Mesopotamia.
  
  
• Gradual Shift: The replacement wasn't immediate; it was a slow process of cultural Arabization, with Aramaic surviving, particularly in Christian and Jewish communities.
  
  
• Long Survival: Some Aramaic dialects (Western Aramaic) were spoken in remote villages until the 17th century, and various Neo-Aramaic dialects still exist today.
  
  
• Linguistic Connection: The Arabic script itself evolved from the Aramaic-based Nabataean script, showing the deep linguistic ties between the languages.

Those of the Southern Tribes (Judah) were made up of those of the tribes of Judah; the tribe of Benjamin; and those from the tribe of Levi; some of whom would return to the Land, after Cyrus's the Great's Edict in 539 BC allowing Jews to return to the Land of Israel; and, to rebuild the Temple.

At that time the Common People employed Aramaic as it was the common tongue; but, the "Hebrew" itself was still used by the Priestly Class; not by the Common People.

For those who don't know the difference; Aramaic and Hebrew can both be expressed with the SAME alphabet making them look virtually identical to those who can't distinguish the different syntax in the construction of words; and, sentences.

The Strongest proof from within the Bible’s text itself (the Greek New Testament) for the ARAMAIC (The CHALDEAN) is in Acts 1:19.

“And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem;         so that field is called in their own language,         Akel Dama, that is, “Field of Blood.”

Typically the Greek word for "language" is Glossa: γλῶσσα. But here in this verse "language" is actually the Greek word "Dialektos." G1258

Meaning: the tongue or language peculiar to any people

So. How do you say “Field of Blood” in Hebrew?
You would say  “SADEH HA DAM.” FIELD THE BLOOD

• In Hebrew “Field” is:  שָׂדֶה SADEH
  

• In Hebrew “The” is: ה HA
  

• In Hebrew "Blood" is: דָּם DAM

But in Acts 1:19 is says the word is Akel Dama:

G184 Ἀκελδαμά Akeldama ak-el-dam-ah' Of Chaldee origin (meaning field of blood; corresponding to [H2506] and [H1818]); Akeldama, a place near Jerusalem: - Aceldama. Total KJV occurrences: 1

In ARAMAIC “Field of Blood” is:

• ḥaqal (חקל): The Aramaic word for "field"
• dema (דמא): The Aramaic word for "blood"
• Akeldama (חקל דמא): The combined term meaning "Field of Blood"

What we read in ACTS 1:19 is the

GREEK TRANSLITERATION OF THE ARAMAIC.

Friends. Hopefully this passage helps you to more clearly see that the Language of the people who dwelt in Jerusalem was Aramaic. And it was called “Hebraisti.” 

Jesus was from Nazareth; a city North of Samaria, in the Galil called "Galilee." At the time of Jesus Galilee was assigned to the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun at times overlapping the land assigned to the tribe of Asher. 

Matthew 4:12-13

"Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee. And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali."

Matthew 4:14-15

"That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: 'The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles."

Isaiah 9:1

"Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed, as when at first He lightly esteemed the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward He will honor her, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, in Galilee of the Nations / Gentiles. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined."

 

Do you see how Galilee is associated with the Gentiles
in both Testaments? Can you see how this is recorded
between Matthew & Isaiah?

Because Judea was itself the center of Jewish life; religion; and culture; the Jews of Judea harbored contempt for those who dwelt in rural Galilee. The Jew of Judea considered them to be backwards; and, ignorant because of how they would pronounce words; so often they were not allowed to read the public prayers. 

The Galileans, for instance, muddled the letters ajin and aleph, and generally the gutturals, to the point that no distinction was made between the pronunciation of words such as "amar" (hamor = us, hamar = wine, amar = garment, emar = lamb).

Those in Galilee spoke a dialect of Aramaic that was different than what was spoken in Jerusalem.

Here below is a passage from the Talmud showing us there was a difference in the pronunciation of the words by those in Galilee from those who dwelt in Jerusalem. What I offer you below is a critical example of WHY we should bother to even examine the Babylonian (Bavli) Talmud in the first place. Right here below is third party, non-biblical evidence that corroborates the gospel account; offering us even more clarity to what has been recorded.  

"The people of Galilee are not precise in their speech"

Those from Galilee were not allowed to pass before the ark
because of how they pronounce words.

Do you remember the story from the Gospels where Jesus has been arrested; and, Peter is waiting in the courtyard; after the Illegal Trial of Jesus at night? 

Matthew 26:73: "Surely you are one of them, for your speech betrays you." 

G2981 λαλιά lalia 

Thayer Definition:

1) speech, i.e a story

2) dialect, mode of speech, pronunciation

2a) speech which discloses the speaker’s native country

The Way Peter spoke, his very pronunciation; because he was from Galilee;

gave him away. It wasn't his appearance; it was his dialect; his Galilean drawl.

Below you see the "Our Father" in Galilean Aramaic.

 

In the time of Christ, Aramaic was the common language (lingua franca) for everyday life in Israel, particularly in Galilee and Judea. It existed not as a single, uniform language but as a continuum of distinct, though likely mutually intelligible, Western Aramaic dialects.

While sources don't provide a definitive, universally agreed-upon list of exactly seven named dialects used exclusively within the borders of first-century Israel, the major regional variations of Aramaic present in and around the area included:

• Galilean Aramaic: The primary dialect spoken by Jesus and his disciples in the Galilee region.
  
  
• Judean Aramaic (Old Judean): The prominent dialect in Jerusalem and the surrounding Judea area.
  
  
• Samaritan Aramaic: A distinct dialect used by the Samaritans in their territory, located between Galilee and Judea.
  
  
• Old East Jordanian: A dialect spoken in communities to the east of the Jordan River.
  
  
• Nabataean Aramaic: Spoken by the Nabataeans, whose kingdom included areas in the south and east of Israel's vicinity, such as Petra.
  
  
• Palmyrene Aramaic: While centered in Palmyra (modern-day Syria), this dialect was part of the broader Aramaic linguistic landscape and its influence would have been felt in cosmopolitan trade hubs.
  
  
• Christian Palestinian Aramaic (or Syro-Palestinian Christian Aramaic): While this dialect flourished more fully in later centuries (starting around the 3rd-4th century CE), its precursors were present in the region during Jesus' time.

These dialects formed the primary linguistic environment for most people in the region, alongside the use of Hebrew for religious scholarship and liturgy and Koine Greek as the language of culture, trade, and learning; with Latin for Imperial Roman administration; legislation; and, military communication. 

From (2010 - 2017) I participated in prison ministry (while attending Simchat Yeshua a small Messianic Jewish Congregation in Covina California). Another member (Gene Keener) and myself would alternate between teaching on Friday nights; and, Sundays.  During this time I would drive from where I lived in Los Angeles (Covina) to Norco California several counties away. 

There I would facilitate a study on the Book of Daniel; and, later Revelation. 

I must admit that this was the most intrinsically rewarding period of my life; as it brought more satisfaction to me personally to see these inmates eyes light up with understanding, than cashing a commission check as a lender ever did for me. 

 

CRC NORCO PAVILION 

During this time I would discover that Aramaic was part of the book of Daniel itself; and, also in other parts of the Bible. This led me to begin researching the Aramaic Language; which ultimately led me to the Aramaic Peshitta; a version of the Bible that neither I; nor, most Westerners had ever heard of before.

This chart below details which chapters in Daniel are in Hebrew vs. Aramaic.

PART I: Tales (chapters 1:1–6:29)

1: Introduction (1:1–21 – set in the Babylonian era, written in Hebrew)

2: Nebuchadnezzar's dream of four kingdoms (2:1–49 – Babylonian era; Aramaic)

3: The fiery furnace (3:1–30/3:1-23, 91-97 – Babylonian era; Aramaic)

4: Nebuchadnezzar's madness (3:31/98–4:34/4:1-37 – Babylonian era; Aramaic)

5: Belshazzar's feast (5:1–6:1 – Babylonian era; Aramaic)

6: Daniel in the lions' den (6:2–29 – Median era with mention of Persia; Aramaic)

PART II: Visions (chapters 7:1–12:13)

7: The beasts from the sea (7:1–28 – Babylonian era: Aramaic)

8: The ram and the he-goat (8:1–27 – Babylonian era; Hebrew)

9: Interpretation of the seventy weeks' prophecy (9:1–27 – Median era; Hebrew)

10: The angel's revelation: kings of the north and south 

(10:1–12:13 – Persian era, mention of Greek era; Hebrew)

During this time I would spend many months studying out Daniel from both a secular; and, religious perspective as I would prepare each week to go and teach at the Prison. During my own personal study I would come across even more evidence for the Aramaic detailed within a book titled:

"By Foot to China: Mission of the Church of the East to 1,400." 

OPEN BOOK IN NEW TAB

 

In this particular book it details the story of Christian Missionaries who would bring the Gospel to China. The very language of the coming Missionaries; both written; and, spoken tells us a story our Greek Bibles don't. Why?

Because it simply isn't detailed within the Pauline writings of the New Testament; but, they are just as vital to our understanding of the Bible; and, it's earliest texts as the writings of Paul are. Many of us have been exposed in Sunday School to Paul's missionary work as he traveled WEST into the City States of the Mediterranean in what we today call Syria (Cole-Syria); Turkey (Asia Minor); Greece; Macedonia; Thrace; and, Italy to Rome itself. 

However; because of our own personal reading of the New Testament (based upon the Greek) we have all been given information that is narrowed; which focuses primarily on Paul's own understanding. There were however; eleven (11) other disciples besides Paul whom were also chosen by Messiah. 

Few of us have been told the story about those who traveled to the East to bring Messiah to the nations; specifically to China. 

What shocked me the most was discovering there was hard; archeological evidence for the language that was written; and, spoken by these Missionaries.

IT WASN'T GREEK 

IT WAS SYRIAC (ARAMAIC)

Initially this would throw me just a bit as I had always been told that the New Testament was Originally Written in Greek. If that was the case; why then are these Missionaries speaking; and, writing Syriac (a form of Aramaic) if Greek was the "Lingua Franca" as we have been led to believe by Greek Scholars who perpetuate the theory of Greek Primacy?

From within this book "By Foot to China" there is a timeline that we should consider if we are to be an honest people. 

• AD 35 - A tradition arose that the apostle Thomas Preached in the Kingdom of Osrohene of Armenia (upper Euphrates) on his way to India. 
  
  
• AD 100 - A congregation existed in Edessa, (the ancient name for Modern day Sanliurfa). Considered to be the first of the Church of the East. (What was their text?)
  
  
• AD 180 - Tatian's Diatessaron Completed. Download Here.
        WIKIPEDIA PAGE  -- EARLY CHRISTIAN WRITINGS PAGE
  
  
• AD 200 - The Church of the East in Edessa had a Bishop; and, a Theological School.
  
  (The fact there was a Church with a Bishop and a School seems to imply that they must have had access to some type of manuscript for them to practice; and, teach. What was their text?)
  
  
• AD 301 - Kingdom of Osrohene declared to be a Christian state, the first in history.
  
  
• AD 325 - Council of Nicaea held and a theological college founded at Nisibis.
  
  
• AD 350 - *** Syriac New Testament (Peshitta) Produced ***
                         (So what was used prior to this?)
  
  
• AD 400 - Jerome's Vulgate Latin Version of the NT Produced. 
  
  

Sanliurfa (Edessa) was for many centuries home to a large Armenian Community; they spoke Aramaic the common tongue of the Persian Empire; not Greek; and, were hostile to both Greeks; and, Romans. Edessa is considered the birthplace of the Peshitta Syriac (Written in Syriac - a form of Aramaic)..

Peshitta - ܦܫܝܛܬܐ

.

Below we see images of the Nestorian Steele about the Christian Missionaries who came to China bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Syriac (Aramaic). This monument was erected in 781 AD by the Tang Dynasty Emperor Taizong to commemorate 150 years of Christianity in China.  This engraved stone monument, now housed in the Forest of Steles Museum (西安碑 林博物館) in Xi’an (西安), the capital city of Shaanxi Province in central-northwestern China, eulogizes the history of the Assyrian Church of the East in China between 635 C.E., the year this branch of Christianity arrived there, and 781 C.E., the year the stele was erected. 

The jingjiaobei (景教碑), as the stele is called in Mandarin Chinese (漢語), stands just over 9 feet high by over 3 feet wide and is slightly less than one foot thick. The text eloquently conveys its narrative using nearly 1,900 inscribed Chinese characters and approximately 70 words and 70 personal names in Syriac, the latter appearing mostly along the bottom of the face and on the two sides of the monument. 

In 845 CE, the monument was buried during a period of religious suppression and was only rediscovered in 1625. From then on, there has been a steady but small stream of Western interest in the object; in 2008, a book by Michael Keevak was published entitled:

"The Story of a Stele: China’s Nestorian Monument and its Reception in the West, 1625–1916."

Across the top half you can clearly see the Chinese. Across the bottom half you can clearly see the Syriac (A Form of Aramaic). Notice that here on this Steele; the Syriac is not written from right to left (as traditionally written) but instead from top to bottom; just as Chinese is itself written.

As stated in the stele’s inscription, the composer of the text was a Christian priest named Jingjing (景淨), or Adam in Syriac (Aramaic), and the calligrapher was Lu Xiuyan (呂秀巖).

"Adam" in Syriac from the Nestorian Steele

The text consists of three sections. The introduction is primarily doctrinal. It relates how a supreme, triune, creator Being responded to the disobedience of humanity by being born to a virgin in Da Qin (大秦), a name that loosely refers to the Roman Empire.

The inscription summarizes the life and mission of this Son, or Messiah (弥施訶), and states that works of scripture were preserved. In addition, it describes the way of life and liturgical practice of his followers in China, who named this doctrine Jingjiao (景教), the Luminous Religion or the Religion of Light.

The second section of the inscription relates the history of the first 146 years of the Church in China. In the year 635 C.E. (early Tang Dynasty, 618-907 C.E.), a priest named Alopen (阿羅本) traveled from Da Qin (most likely Syria) to Chang’an (長安), then the capital of China and now named Xi’an, and met with Emperor Taizong (太宗). 

This tradition’s scriptures were translated into Chinese, and after studying them the emperor issued an imperial edict in 638 endorsing the dissemination of the religion throughout China. Monasteries were built in Chang’an and many other cities, monks served the needs of the poor and the sick, and the Jingjiao community enjoyed imperial gifts and support. With thanksgiving for the success of the Luminous Religion in China, the writer concludes with a celebratory poem. The inscription then documents that the stele was unveiled on February 4, 781, and subsequently lists approximately 70 names of Christian clergy, written in both Syriac and Chinese

This particular Stele helped me to desire to textually compare the Peshitta Syriac (Aramaic) against the Greek New Testament for places within the text that are materially distinct from one another. 

• How is the text different? 
• Why are they different? 
• What is the doctrine of the Nestorians? 
• What is it they believed; and, why?

The primary distinction I was able to identify was that within the pages of the Peshitta itself was that Jesus very directly (32 times) declares “I am the Living God” tying His identity directly to the being who delivered the Written Torah to Moses upon Mt. Sinai. SEE DEUT. 5:26. 

These "statements of identify" are missing entirely from the Greek text.