Original Language of the Old Testament (Hebrew)
The Old Testament was written almost entirely in the Hebrew language [1]. This language is a branch of the Semitic language family, which were primarily spoken by the descendants of Shem [2, 3]. Some scholars consider Hebrew to be one of the earliest known languages, with some even suggesting it was the original language of humanity [1].
While the Old Testament refers to the language as "Jewish" (e.g., 2 Kings 18:26, 28; Isaiah 36:11, 13; 2 Chronicles 32:18), the name "Hebrew" was adopted by Jews after the Old Testament period [2]. When Abraham entered Canaan, the language spoken by the inhabitants was closely related to his own [2].
A few portions of the Old Testament were written in Chaldee, which is more accurately referred to as Aramaic [2, 5]. This includes sections in Ezra (4:7) and Daniel (2:4) [5]. The original character script of the Old Testament text has largely been preserved, with the exception of four letters [4].
Some traditions hold that Hebrew was the original language spoken by all mankind before the confusion of tongues described in Genesis 11. Adam Clarke, for instance, suggests that Hebrew remained in the family of Heber after this event, and that the proper names and their meanings in Scripture provide evidence that Hebrew was the language in which God communicated with humanity [6]. Rashi, a prominent Jewish commentator, also notes the importance of "its own language" in understanding texts, referring to the spoken language [7].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Hebrew Language — The books of the Old Testament are written almost entirely in the Hebrew language. It is a branch of the Shemitic language, one of the three great divisions into which all languages have been reduced. It is one of the earliest of known languages, and some suppose that it was the original language of man.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Hebrew language — The language of the Hebrew nation, and that in which the Old Testament is written, with the exception of a few portions in Chaldee. In the Old Testament it is only spoken of as "Jewish" (2 Kings 18:26, 28; Isa. 36:11, 13; 2 Chr 32:18). This name is first used by the Jews in times subsequent to the close of the Old Testament. It is one of the class of languages called Semitic, because they were chiefly spoken among the descendants of Shem. When Abraham entered Canaan it is obvious that he found the language of its inhabitants closely allied to his ow”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Semitic Languages — [[1064]Shemitic Languages LANGUAGES; [1065]Hebrew Language]”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Old Testament — I. TEXT OF THE OLD TESTAMENT.-- + History of the text. -A history of the text of the Old Testament should properly commence from the date of the completion of the canon. As regards the form in which the sacred writings were little doubt that the text was ordinarily were preserved, there can be written on skins, rolled up into volumes, like the modern synagogue rolls. (Psalms 40:7; Jeremiah 36:14; Ezekiel 2:9; Zechariah 5:1) The original character in which the text was expressed is that still preserved to us, with the exception of four letters, on the M”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Syriac — (2 Kings 18:26; Ezra 4:7; Dan. 2:4), more correctly rendered "Aramaic," including both the Syriac and the Chaldee languages. In the New Testament there are several Syriac words, such as "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" (Mark 15:34; Matt. 27:46 gives the Heb. form, "Eli, Eli"), "Raca" (Matt. 5:22), "Ephphatha" (Mark 7:34), "Maran-atha" (1 Cor. 16:22). A Syriac version of the Old Testament, containing all the canonical books, along with some apocryphal books (called the Peshitto, i.e., simple translation, and not a paraphrase), was made early in the second cent”
- Genesis (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Genesis 11:1: The whole earth was of one language - The whole earth - all mankind was of one language, in all likelihood the Hebrew; and of one speech - articulating the same words in the same way. It is generally supposed, that after the confusion mentioned in this chapter, the Hebrew language remained in the family of Heber. The proper names, and their significations given in the Scripture, seem incontestable evidences that the Hebrew language was the original language of the earth - the language in which God spake to man, and in which he gave the revelation of his will to Mos”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Esther 8:9: In its own language. The spoken language.”