Introduction:

Understanding the languages mentioned in the New Testament is essential for gaining deeper insights into the historical and cultural context of Biblical texts. The word Ἑβραΐς (G1446: Hebraḯs), which refers to the Hebrew language, holds particular significance because it represents not just a language, but the cultural and religious identity of the Jewish people. In the New Testament, Ἑβραΐς is used to specify when something is written or spoken in Hebrew, distinguishing it from Greek or Aramaic. This term is vital for interpreting certain passages where the language spoken or written has theological or symbolic importance. Understanding Ἑβραΐς also connects us to the rich heritage of the Hebrew language, which was the vehicle for much of the Old Testament scripture and continued to hold a revered place in Jewish tradition.

Key Information:

• Greek Word: Ἑβραΐς (Hebraḯs) [heb-rah-is’]
• Etymology: Derived from Ἑβραῖος (Hebraîos), meaning “Hebrew,” with the suffix -ΐς (-is) that is used to form nouns indicating language or dialect. Ἑβραΐς specifically refers to the Hebrew language.
• Part of Speech: Noun (Feminine)
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon

Primary Meanings:

• Hebrew Language: Ἑβραΐς refers to the Hebrew language, the traditional language of the Jewish people, used in both religious and cultural contexts. It is mentioned in the New Testament in contexts where it is important to identify the language being spoken or written.

Similar Words:

• Ἑβραϊστί (Hebraïstí) [heb-rah-is-tee’]: This adverb means “in Hebrew” and is used similarly to Ἑβραΐς to indicate that something is spoken or written in Hebrew. While Ἑβραΐς is a noun referring to the language itself, Ἑβραϊστί describes the act of using the Hebrew language.
• Ἑβραϊκός (Hebraïkós) [heb-rah-ee-kos’]: An adjective meaning “Hebrew,” it describes something related to the Hebrew language, people, or culture. It is broader in scope than Ἑβραΐς, which focuses specifically on the language.

Further Insights:

• Morphological Insights:
• Ἑβραΐς is a feminine noun that refers specifically to the Hebrew language. It is not declined for gender, number, or case in the way adjectives or verbs might be, but it functions as a subject or object in a sentence when referring to the language.
• The use of Ἑβραΐς in the New Testament underscores the importance of the Hebrew language in the Jewish religious and cultural context, distinguishing it from other languages spoken in the region, such as Greek and Aramaic.

Lexicon Insights:

BDAG: Ἑβραΐς is defined as “Hebrew” or “Hebrew language,” with the lexicon noting its use in the New Testament to describe the language spoken by the Jewish people. The term is often used to specify when Hebrew is being used as opposed to other languages, such as Greek or Aramaic.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s lexicon describes Ἑβραΐς as a noun meaning “the Hebrew language.” It highlights its role in the New Testament, particularly in passages where the identification of the language spoken or written has theological significance.

Vine’s: Ἑβραΐς is noted as a noun referring to the Hebrew language, emphasizing its importance in distinguishing Hebrew from other languages in the New Testament. Vine’s discusses the significance of Hebrew as the sacred language of the Jewish people.

LSJ: In classical Greek, Ἑβραΐς is recognized as a term used to describe the Hebrew language. The lexicon notes its use in historical and literary texts to refer specifically to the language spoken by the Hebrews.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Ἑβραΐς is listed as “Hebrew,” with emphasis on its Biblical usage to describe the Hebrew language. The concordance highlights its occurrence in the New Testament where the language of the Jews is being specifically mentioned.

Scripture References:

• Acts 21:40: “When he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew (Ἑβραΐδι) language, saying…”
• John 19:20: “Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic (Ἑβραΐστί), in Latin, and in Greek.”
• Acts 26:14: “And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew (Ἑβραΐδι) language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’”

Classical Usage:

Summary of Ἑβραΐς (G1446: Hebraḯs):

The word Ἑβραΐς (G1446: Hebraḯs) is a significant noun in the New Testament, referring specifically to the Hebrew language. Its use highlights the distinction between Hebrew and other languages such as Greek or Aramaic, emphasizing the importance of Hebrew as the sacred and cultural language of the Jewish people. Understanding Ἑβραΐς provides insights into the linguistic context of the New Testament, where language plays a crucial role in religious identity and communication. The term also connects to classical Greek literature, where it was used to describe the language of the Hebrews, further illustrating its importance in both sacred and secular texts.

Did You Know?

Did You Know? The term Ἑβραΐς not only refers to the Hebrew language but also carries connotations of cultural and religious identity. In the New Testament, when something is described as being written or spoken in Ἑβραΐς, it often signifies a connection to Jewish tradition and the sacredness of the Hebrew scriptures, which were revered and carefully preserved through generations.