Languages

The means of communication shared in common by groups of people. Scripture teaches that the diversity of languages in the world is a result of sin, but the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts broke down the barriers of language and nationality.

The origin of different languages

Genesis 11:1–9 See also Genesis 10:2–5, Genesis 10:20, Genesis 10:30–31

The close relationship between language and national identity

Isaiah 19:18 See also Nehemiah 13:23–27; Zechariah 8:23; Revelation 5:9, Revelation 7:9, Revelation 10:11, Revelation 11:9, Revelation 13:7, Revelation 14:6, Revelation 17:15

In that day five cities in the land of Egypt will speak the language of Canaan and swear allegiance to the LORD of Hosts. One of them will be called the City of the Sun.

Language barriers

Nehemiah 13:23–24 See also Deuteronomy 28:49–50; Psalm 81:5; Jeremiah 5:15; Ezekiel 3:5–6; Daniel 1:4; 1 Corinthians 14:10–11

In those days I also saw Jews who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or of the other peoples, but could not speak the language of Judah.

The diversity of languages in the Persian empire

Esther 8:9 See also Ezra 4:7; Esther 1:22, Esther 3:12

At once the royal scribes were summoned, and on the twenty-third day of the third month (the month of Sivan), they recorded all of Mordecai’s orders to the Jews and to the satraps, governors, and princes of the 127 provinces from India to Cush — writing to each province in its own script, to every people in their own language, and to the Jews in their own script and language.

God's revelation not limited to any single language

Acts 2:1–11 See also Psalm 19:1–4; Acts 10:44–48

Aramaic

Aramaic in the OT

2 Kings 18:26 parallel Isaiah 36:11 Aramaic is a language related to Hebrew, known from Assyrian times. Under the influence of the Persian empire Aramaic was the diplomatic language in later OT times. In Palestine, by the time of the NT, it was spoken widely, having largely displaced Hebrew as the everyday language of the Jews. See also Ezra 4:7 The text of Ezra 4:8–6:18 and Ezra 7:12–26 is in Aramaic; Jeremiah 10:11 The text of Jeremiah 10:11 is in Aramaic; Daniel 2:4 The text of Daniel 2:4–7:28 is in Aramaic.

Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, along with Shebnah and Joah, said to the Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Do not speak with us in Hebrew in the hearing of the people on the wall.”

By NT times Aramaic had become the common language of Palestinian Jews

John 20:16 See also John 5:2, John 19:13, John 19:17, John 19:20; Acts 21:40–22:2, Acts 26:14

Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” ( which means “Teacher” ).

Aramaic expressions found in the NT

Matthew 27:46 parallel Mark 15:34 See also Matthew 5:22; Mark 5:41, Mark 7:34, Mark 14:36; John 20:16; Romans 8:15; 1 Corinthians 16:22; Galatians 4:6

About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

Hebrew

2 Kings 18:26 parallel Isaiah 36:11 Hebrew was the language of Israel in the period of the OT. By the time of the NT, it had been partially displaced in everyday use by Aramaic. See also 2 Kings 18:28 parallels 2 Chronicles 32:18, Isaiah 36:13; Revelation 9:11, Revelation 16:16

Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, along with Shebnah and Joah, said to the Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Do not speak with us in Hebrew in the hearing of the people on the wall.”

Greek

John 19:20 Greek was the major cultural and commercial language of the eastern Mediterranean world. The NT was written in this language, ensuring the rapid spread of the gospel in this region. See also Acts 21:37–39; Revelation 9:11

Many of the Jews read this sign, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek.