Special Note on the Aramaic language

We are about to embark on a study of the Book of John but before we start we ought to mention some special language considerations, not only in the book of John but the entirety of the New Testament. Having said that, we will proceed.
 Lane Rogers

Aramaic-- The language of Aram or Syria, one of the northern branches of language belonging to the Semitic family. This includes Syriac and Chaldee.

1. In the 9th century B.C. and following, Aramaic became the international language of commerce and diplomacy.

2. It was understood by rulers and merchants in Jerusalem in 701 B.C. See 2 Kings 18:26.

3. Daniel 2:4-7 is written in Aramaic.

4. Aramaic epigraphs (inscriptions on stone, statues, coins) are found on bricks used in constructing the great building of Nebuchadnezzrar's Babylon.

5. Aramaic became the official language of communication throughout polyglot Persian Empire.¹

6. Ezra 4:8-6 and 7:12-26 are written in Aramaic.

7. One verse in Jeremiah is written in Aramaic (10:11).

8. Two words in Genesis 31:47 (jegar sanhaduta__"witness heap") are in Aramaic (NIV, ASV, NASV, RSV)

9. For New Testament Examples see:

(a) Mark 7: 34 "Ephpatha" (be opened).

(b) Mark 14:36 "Abba" (Father). See also Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6.

(c) Mark 15:34; Matt. 27: 46: "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" (My God, My God why have you forsaken me?")

(d) John 1:42 "Cephas" (Rock).

(e) John 19:17 "Golgotha" (the place of the skull).

(f) John 19:19-20__Notice mixed language. Written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek.

(g) Acts 1:10 "Akeldama" (field of blood).

(h) Acts 21:40, 22:2___Paul spoke in Aramaic (Margin--"or possibly Hebrew") NIV 1978, Heb. NASV; mar. Jewish Aramaic.

(i) 1 Cor. 16:22 in margin--"The expression "Come, O Lord!" (Marana tha).

"Aramaic was not only the vernacular of the Palestinian Jews, but was the common speech of all non-Greek speakers in western Asia, as far as (and including) the Parthian empire beyond the Euphrates." (Bruce, The Book of Acts, p. 437).

"Aramaic appears to be meant wherever the 'Hebrew' language is mentioned in the NT except in Rev. 9:11; 16:16." (Ibid.).

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