Jesus’ Name in Aramaic

There has been a trend to render Jesus’ name Hebrew, יֵשׁוּעַ, Yeshua. The problem is neither Christ nor his apostles, nor the Jews in 30-33 A.D. spoke Hebrew, they spoke Aramaic. Aramaic is the oldest language on earth and was the language Jesus spoke. In fact, the oldest Old Testament is the Septuagint a Greco translation around 132 B.C.E. (165 Years Before Christ)that was translated from Aramaic. The Masoretic Text, The Hebrew Old Testament most Bibles use, dates from 7th to 10th Century A.D. (Medieval Times).  This translation does not cross reference with the words of Christ in the New Testament which are Aramaic and Koine Greek. 

If the Aramaic was what Jesus spoke, then by what name would have been called? Jesus’ name in Aramaic is Isho or Eesho, spelled ܝܫܘܥ. That is the name of our Lord in Aramaic! He would have heard his name in this dialect, “Hail Isho or Eesho!” as well as the Greek, Ἰησοῦς, Iesous. 

Aramaic is disappearing, only a few people are endeavoring to keep the language of Jesus alive! I urge we try to learn Aramaic, the real language our Lord spoke. 

Here is a list of some easy words to memorize: 

“A List of Aramaic Words in the New Testament:

Abba, Father

And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. (Mark 14:36)

The Aramaic word "Abba" is also found in the writings of Paul in Romans 8:15 and Galatians 4:6) Abba is an Aramaic loan word in Modern Hebrew. The Hebrew word is "avi." God is called "Father" over 100 times in the Gospels!

Certain Aramaic scholars feel that this word Abba is a more intimate word than "Father" and it's meaning is closer to the word "Daddy."

Eloi, Eloi lama sabachtani

And at the ninth hour, Jesus shouted in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi lema sabachtani?" which is translated, "My God, my God, for what have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34) See also Matthew 27:46.

Many Christians have never heard of Aramaic. However, those who watched the movie "The Passion of the Christ" have been exposed to Aramaic. Most of this movie is in Aramaic. (There are a few Hebrew expressions used in the movie and there are also sections in the film that are in Latin.) When Jesus was on the cross of Golgotha (Aramaic for "the Place of the Skull") He said, "Eloi, Eloi lama sabachtani." This is Aramaic for "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me." (If Jesus had been speaking Hebrew he would have said, "Eli, Eli, lama azabtani." The words Jesus is quoted as speaking in the Gospel are Aramaic and not Hebrew.)

Talitha Koum

And taking the hand of the child, he said to her, "Talitha koum," which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, get up." (Mark 5:41)

Maranatha

"Maranatha" 1 Corinthians 16:22. This word is also used in the Didache. It means "Come, Our Lord." The word for "Lord" in Hebrew is "Adonai."

This would also be a Aramaic word used in following words, “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:17, 20). 

Jesus: The Son of Man and Maranatha

About 80 times in the Bible, Jesus calls himself "the Son of Man." In Aramaic this is "Barnasha" and has many levels of meaning including meaning "A Human Being" or "a person." It seems that Jesus was quoting the Aramaic section of the Book of Daniel that refers to a cosmic pre-existent Messiah who brings the Kingdom of God. Daniel calls this mysterious figure-the Son of Man. 

Paul closes his First Epistle to the Corinthians with a short Aramaic prayer-Maran atha. This is Aramaic for "Our Lord-come!" So we see that for the earliest Aramaic speaking Christians Jesus was Lord.

Cephas

Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter). NIV footnote: Both Cephas (Aramaic) and Peter (Greek) mean rock. John 1:42. (See also 1 Corinthians 1:12 and Galatians 2:9).

THERE ARE MANY MORE ARAMAIC WORDS FOUND SCATTERED IN THE TEXT OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. “ (http://aramaicherald.blogspot.com/2012/04/christs-words-in-his-own-language.html?m=1)

There has been a real push for believers to learn Hebrew, but it is Aramaic that Jesus spoke, and that most unaltered Old Testament was written. The New Testament is Aramaic-Koine Greek. So why Hebrew? It’s a good question, and urge learning Aramaic. Amen.