Brief Overview of Ἑβραϊκός (G1444: Hebraïkós)

Introduction:

Understanding the linguistic and cultural terms used in the New Testament is essential for comprehending the historical and social context of the Biblical narrative. The word Ἑβραϊκός (G1444: Hebraïkós) is particularly significant because it refers to something “Hebrew” in nature, whether it be language, culture, or origin. In the New Testament, this term is often used to distinguish the Hebrew language from others, particularly Greek and Aramaic. Grasping the meaning and use of Ἑβραϊκός provides important insights into the cultural and linguistic identity of the Jewish people during the time of Jesus and the early church, shedding light on the interactions between different language groups and the significance of the Hebrew language in conveying religious teachings.

Key Information:

Greek Word: Ἑβραϊκός (Hebraïkós) [heb-rah-ee-kos’]
Etymology: Derived from the root Ἑβραῖος (Hebraîos), meaning “Hebrew,” with the suffix -ικός (-ikós), which is used to form adjectives indicating “pertaining to” or “related to.” Thus, Ἑβραϊκός means “Hebrew” in the sense of something related to the Hebrew language or people.
Part of Speech: Adjective
The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon

Primary Meanings:

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Hebrew: Referring to the Hebrew language, culture, or people. In the New Testament, it is often used to specify the Hebrew language, particularly in contrast to Greek or Aramaic.

Similar Words:

Ἑβραῖος (Hebraîos) [heb-rah’-yos]: Meaning “Hebrew,” this word is used more broadly to refer to a person of Hebrew descent or the Hebrew nation, whereas Ἑβραϊκός specifically refers to something pertaining to the Hebrew language or culture.
Ἑβραϊστί (Hebraïstí) [heb-rah-is-tee’]: This term specifically means “in Hebrew” and is used to indicate something spoken or written in the Hebrew language. While Ἑβραϊκός is an adjective describing something Hebrew in nature, Ἑβραϊστί refers directly to the Hebrew language itself.

Further Insights:

Morphological Insights:
Ἑβραϊκός is an adjective and follows the typical Greek pattern for forming adjectives, with the suffix -ικός (-ikós) indicating “pertaining to” or “related to.” It can modify nouns to describe something as being related to the Hebrew language, culture, or people.
The word Ἑβραϊκός can decline according to gender, number, and case, depending on the noun it modifies.

Case	Masculine Singular	Feminine Singular	Neuter Singular
Nominative	Ἑβραϊκός	Ἑβραϊκή	Ἑβραϊκόν
Genitive	Ἑβραϊκοῦ	Ἑβραϊκῆς	Ἑβραϊκοῦ
Dative	Ἑβραϊκῷ	Ἑβραϊκῇ	Ἑβραϊκῷ
Accusative	Ἑβραϊκόν	Ἑβραϊκήν	Ἑβραϊκόν
Vocative	Ἑβραϊκέ	Ἑβραϊκή	Ἑβραϊκόν

Lexicon Insights:

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BDAG: Ἑβραϊκός is defined as “Hebrew” or “pertaining to the Hebrews.” The lexicon notes its usage in the New Testament to describe something related to the Hebrew language or culture, particularly in distinguishing Hebrew from other languages.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s lexicon describes Ἑβραϊκός as an adjective meaning “Hebrew,” specifically in relation to the Hebrew language or customs. It emphasizes the term’s role in passages where the Hebrew language is identified in contrast to Greek or Aramaic.

Vine’s: Ἑβραϊκός is noted as an adjective that describes something as “Hebrew” in nature, particularly with reference to language. Vine’s highlights its significance in the New Testament where the language or customs of the Hebrews are distinguished from those of other cultures.

LSJ: In classical Greek, Ἑβραϊκός is recognized as an adjective meaning “Hebrew” or “pertaining to the Hebrews,” commonly used in historical and literary texts to describe things associated with the Hebrew people.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Ἑβραϊκός is listed as “Hebrew,” with emphasis on its Biblical usage to describe the Hebrew language or anything related to the Hebrews.

Scripture References:

John 5:2: “Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew (Ἑβραϊστί) called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades.”
John 19:13: “So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Hebrew (Ἑβραϊστί) Gabbatha.”

Classical Usage:

Text Source	Example
Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews	“The law was originally given in Hebrew (Ἑβραϊκός), the sacred language of the people.”
Philo, De Specialibus Legibus	“The Hebrew (Ἑβραϊκός) customs are ancient and sacred, handed down through generations.”
Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History	“The Scriptures were preserved in the Hebrew (Ἑβραϊκός) tongue, from which they were later translated.”

Summary of Ἑβραϊκός (G1444: Hebraïkós):

The adjective Ἑβραϊκός (G1444: Hebraïkós) is a key term in the New Testament, particularly in passages that distinguish the Hebrew language from Greek or Aramaic. This word is used to describe anything pertaining to the Hebrew people, language, or culture. Understanding Ἑβραϊκός is essential for interpreting passages that involve cultural or linguistic distinctions, as well as for appreciating the broader context of the Jewish heritage in the Biblical narrative. The term also appears in classical Greek literature, where it is used to denote things related to the Hebrews, further illustrating the cultural significance of this adjective in both sacred and secular texts.

Did You Know?

Did You Know? The word Ἑβραϊκός is closely associated with the preservation of the Hebrew language and customs during the Hellenistic period, a time when Greek was becoming the dominant language in many parts of the ancient world. The use of this term in the New Testament underscores the continued importance of Hebrew as the language of sacred texts and religious identity among the Jewish people.