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Where Does the Name "Jesus" Come From? 

 Jesus Etymology: From Ancient Greek Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs) is derived the Latin Iēsūs and from the Latin, Iēsūs, is derived the Middle English, Jhesus, Iesus, which later became Jesus in Modern English. Let's look at how the name Jesus came about through scripture.

History on the name "Jesus"

  • There was a man of Ephraim named Oshea the son of Nun, which is Hoche in Hebrew:

Num 13:8  Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun

Definition:

H1954 הושע

הושע

Hoche

O-che /o tʃe/

From H3467; deliverer;

(BBD) salvation; Hoshea, the name of five Israelites: - Hosea, Hoshea, Oshea.

  • Moses called Oshea the son of Nun, Jehoshea, which is "Yahoche" in Hebrew:

Num 13:16  

…..And Moses called Oshea the son of Nun Jehoshea.H3091(a) 

ויקרא   משה   להושע  בן  נון   יהושע

Definition:

H3091(a) יהושע
Original: יהושע
Transliteration: Yahoche 
Phonetic: Yah-o-che /yahotʃe/

From H3050 and H3467; Jah is salvation; Jehoshea, the Jewish leader and the name of three other Israelites. Jehoshea, Jehosea. 

  • יהושע (YahocheH3091(a)  is not solely the name of the son of Nun in the Hebrew text of the scriptures. The others are: 

  1. יהושע Yahoche H3091(a) the Bethshemite: 1 Sam 6:14, 18

  2. יהושע Yahoche H3091(a) the governor of Beersheba: 2 King 23:8

  3. יהושע Yahoche H3091(a) the son of Josedech: Hag 1:1,12,14; 2:2,4 Zech 3:1,6,8,9;6:11

  • Moses also referred to יהושע H3091(a) Yahoche the son of Nun as  יהושוע H3091(b)  which is "Yahoṣọwa" in Hebrew:

Deu 3:21  

And I commanded JoshuaH3091(b) ...

     ואת יהושוע צויתי     

                                                

Definition:

H3091(b) יהושוע 

Original: יהושוע
Transliteration: Yahoṣọwa
Phonetic: Yah-o-showa /jaɦoʃowa/

Strong’s Definition:

From H3050 and H7768; Jah-saved; Jehoshua (that is, Joshua), the Jewish leader: - Jehoshua, Joshua.

**Only the son of Nun is referred to as (Joshua) Yahoṣọwa, H3091(b) in the Hebrew text of the scriptures. {Deut 3:21;Jdg 2:7}**

  • In the entire Old Testament Hebrew text of the scriptures, the son of Nun is referred to as  יהושע Yahoche H3091(a) (Jehoshea) except for these three occasions:

    1. Moses referred to him as יהושוע Yahoṣọwa H3091(b) (Joshua) in Duet 3:21.

    2. The Judges referred to him as  יהושוע Yahoṣọwa H3091(b) (Joshua) in Judges 2:7.

    3. The Hebrews in the Persian captivity referred to him by an alternative Hebrew name, ישוע Yaṣọwa H3442 (Jeshua) in Nehemiah 8:17.

  • Though, [יהושע Yahoche H3091(a) ] and [יהושוע Yahoṣọwa H3091(b)] are somewhat different in pronunciation and meaning, the judges referring to the son of Nun by both names does show that both names were in reference to the Son of Nun:

Jdg 2:7  

And the people served Ahayah all the days of JehosheaH3091(a) and all the days of the elders that outlived JoshuaH3091(b) who had seen all the great works of Ahayah, that he did for Israel. 

Jdg 2:7  ויעבדו העם את־אהיה כל ימי יהושע וכל ימי הזקנים אשר האריכו ימים אחרי יהושוע אשר ראו את כל־מעשה אהיה הגדול אשר עשה לישראל׃   

 

The Persian Empire

  • Now, transitioning to the Persian captivity, let's look at what became of the name of the son of Nun. In the days of the Persian captivity, the Hebrews referred to the son of Nun as, ישוע YaṣọwaH3442 an alternative of יהושע Yahoṣọwa.   H3091(b) ישוע YawaH3442 is "Jeshua" in English.

Neh 8:17  

.... for since the days of JeshuaH3442the son of Nun ...

Neh 8:17

...כי לא־עשו מימי ישוע בן־נון...   

Definition:

H3442 ישוע  

original: ישוע

Transliteration: Yaṣọwa 
Phonetic: Ya-showa /jaʃowa/

For H3091; he will save; Jeshua, the name of six Israelites: - Jeshua.

BDB Definition:

Jeshua = “he is saved”

 

ישוע YaṣwaH3442  is the Hebrew equivalent to the Aramaic ܝܫܘܥ Yeshu‘H3443. 

Definition:

H3443

Original: ישוע

Aramaic script: ܝܫܘܥ) 

Yešū‘  Yeshu

BDB Definition:

Jeshua = “he is saved”

(Chaldee); corresponding to H3442: - Jeshua. 

 

  • The Hebrews were influenced by the Aramaic language of the Babylonians during their captivity. Thus, the Hebrews started using ישוע Yaṣwa H3442 in reference to anyone who was actually named ישוע Yaṣwa H3442 or formerly named יהושע Yahoche H3091(a)  or יהושע YahoṣọwaH3091(b) like the son of Nun. ישוע Yaṣwa H3442 (Jeshua) became the common Hebrew name used amongst the Hebrews after the Babylonian captivity, though   יהושע Yahoche H3091(a)  (Jehoshea) [Hag 1:1;Zech 3:1] was also used as well. 

The Greek Empire

  • By the time of the Greek Empire, Greek was the most commonly spoken tongue and the Hebrews would translate Hebrew records into Greek as best as they could because Hebrew doesn’t have the same force when translated into other tongues:

Prologue of Sirach 

...For the same things uttered in Hebrew, and translated into another tongue, have not the same force in them: and not only these things, but the law itself, and the prophets, and the rest of the books, have no small difference, when they are spoken in their own language... 

 

  • During the Greek empire, Jesus the son of Sirach translated a Hebrew book to Greek in the days of Ptolemy III Euergetes, king of Egypt:

Sirach prologue 

….For in the eight and thirtieth year coming into Egypt, when Euergetes was king, and continuing there some time, I found a book of no small learning: therefore I thought it most necessary for me to bestow some diligence and travail to interpret it…

  • Jesus the son of Sirach, translated the Hebrew names of the son of Nun and the son of Josedech into Greek which became "Jesus" in English:

Sir 46:1  

Jesus the son of Nun was valiant in the wars, and was the successor of Moses in prophecies, who according to his name was made great for the saving of the elect of Alahayim, and taking vengeance of the enemies that rose up against them, that he might set Israel in their inheritance. 

Sir 49:12  

So was Jesus the son of Josedec: who in their time builded the house, and set up an holy temple to the Lord, which was prepared for everlasting glory 

  • From the Greek, came the Latin, Iēsus. The Latin, Iēsus, eventually lead to the English, Jesus, we see in the New Testament today in reference to Joshua the son of Nun: 

Heb 4:8  

For if Jesus G2424 had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.

Definition:

G2424   (Strong)

Ἰησοῦς

Iēsous

ee-ay-sooce'

Of Hebrew origin [H3442]; Jesus (that is, Jehoshua), the name of two (three) other Israelites: - Jesus.

Thayer Definition:

Jesus = “Jah is salvation”

1) Jesus Barabbas was the captive robber whom the Jews begged Pilate to release instead of Christ

2) Joshua was the famous captain of the Israelites, Moses’ successor (Act 7:45, Heb 4:8)

3) Jesus, surnamed Justus, a Jewish Christian, an associate with Paul in the preaching of the gospel (Col 4:11)

 

  • There are a few people who's names were translated to "Jesus" in the Greek text of the Apocrypha and New Testament: 

  1. Jesus the son of Nun: [Heb 4:8 Sirach 46:1Col 4:11]
  2. Jesus the son of Josedech: [1 Esdras 5:5, Sirach 49:12]

  3. Jesus the Levite: [1 Esdras 5:58] 

  4. Jesus the son of Sirach: [Sirach 50:27]

  • Now lets examine the Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic text of the scriptures to see exactly where the name "Jesus" comes from:

Examining the Greek Text

Greek Text Source: Greek Septuagint (OT) Textus Receptus (NT)

  • The Hebrew H3442 ישוע (Yaṣọwa) is translated to Ἰησοῦ (Iisoú) in Greek by evidence of 1 Chron 24:11 when referencing Jeshua the priest of the nineth course. 

I Chron 24:11

לישוע התשעי לשׁכניהו העשרי  

1Ch 24:11 

τῷ Ἰησοῦ ὁ ἔνατος τῷ Σεχενια ὁ δέκατος

 

  • The Hebrew H3091(a) יהושע (Yahoche) is translated to Ἰησοῦ (Iisoú) in Greek while the Hebrew H3091(b) יהושוע (Yahoṣọwa) is translated to Ἰησοῦν (Iisoún) in Greek by evidence of Judges 2:7 when referencing the two names:

Judges 2:7

 ויעבדו העם את־אהיה כל ימי יהושע וכל ימי הזקנים אשר האריכו ימים אחרי יהושוע אשר ראו את כל־מעשה אהיה הגדול אשר עשה לישראל׃ 

Jdg 2:7

καὶ ἐδούλευσεν ὁ λαὸς τῷ κυρίῳ πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας Ἰησοῦ καὶ πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας τῶν πρεσβυτέρων ὅσοι ἐμακροημέρευσαν μετὰ Ἰησοῦν ὅσοι ἔγνωσαν πᾶν τὸ ἔργον κυρίου τὸ μέγα ὃ ἐποίησεν τῷ Ισραηλ

 

  • Also, the Hebrew H3091(b) יהושוע (Yahoṣọwa) is translated to Ἰησοῖ (Iisoí) in Greek as well by evidence of Deut 3:21 when Moses referenced Joshua the son of Nun

Deut 3:21 

 ואת־יהושוע צויתי בעת ההוא לאמר עיניך הראת את כל־אשר עשה אהיה אלהיכם לשני המלכים האלה כן־יעשה אהיה לכל־הממלכות אשר אתה עבר שמה׃ 

Deu 3:21

καὶ τῷ Ἰησοῖ ἐνετειλάμην ἐν τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ λέγων οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ ὑμῶν ἑωράκασιν πάντα ὅσα ἐποίησεν κύριος ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν τοῖς δυσὶ βασιλεῦσι τούτοις οὕτως ποιήσει κύριος ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν πάσας τὰς βασιλείας ἐφ᾽ ἃς σὺ διαβαίνεις ἐκεῖ

 

  • Also, the Hebrew H3091(a) יהושע (Yahoche) is translated to Ἰησοῦν (Iisoún) in Greek as well by evidence of Haggai 2:2 when Haggai referenced Jehoshea the son of Josedech. 

Hag 2:2

אמר־נא אל־זרבבל בן־שלתיאל פחת יהודה ואל־יהושע בן־יהוצדק הכהן הגדול ואל־שארית העם לאמר

Hag 2:2

εἰπὸν δὴ πρὸς Ζοροβαβελ τὸν τοῦ Σαλαθιηλ ἐκ φυλῆς Ιουδα καὶ πρὸς Ἰησοῦν τὸν τοῦ Ιωσεδεκ τὸν ἱερέα τὸν μέγαν καὶ πρὸς πάντας τοὺς καταλοίπους τοῦ λαοῦ λέγων

  • In the earlier time of Medo-Persian empire under Darius, the Hebrew H3091(a) יהושע (Yahoche) was still in use by evidence of the son of Josedech:  

Zec 3:6  And the angel of Ahayah protested unto Joshua…..

ויעד מלאך אהיה ביהושע 

  • The Hebrew H3442 ישוע (Yaṣọwa) became a common rendition for the Hebrew H3091(a) יהושע (Yahoche) as well in the days of the Persian Empire by evidence of the same son of Josedech's name and the son of Nun's name: 

Ezr 3:2  Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak... 

...ויקם ישוע בן־יוצדק 

Neh 8:17  …..for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so.…..

...כי לא־עשו מימי ישוע בן־נון כן בני ישראל עד היום ההוא...

 

  • In the Persian Empire, the Hebrew H3442 ישוע (Yaṣọwa) was translated in the Aramaic text to H3443 ישוע, which in Aramaic script is ܝܫܘܥ, (both scripts are pronounced Yešū‘ or Yeshu‘) by evidence of Yaṣọwa the son of Jozadak being referred to as Yeshu‘ in Aramaic which is, Jeshua, in English as well: 

 

Ezr 5:2  Then  rose up  Zerubbabel  the son   of Shealtiel,  and Jeshua  the son  of Jozadak… 

באדין קמו זרבבל בר־שׁאלתיאל וישׁוע בר־יוצדק …

Definition:

H3443 ישוע (Aramaic)

ܝܫܘܥ (Aramaic Script)

ישוע (Hebrew Script)

Yešū‘ or Yeshu‘ (Aramaic Dialect) 

(Chalee); corresponding to H3442: - Jeshua.

BDB Definition:

Jeshua = “he is saved”

  • The Aramaic ܝܫܘܥ, which is written as ישוע in Hebrew script, and pronounced (Yešū‘ or Yeshu‘) in the Aramaic tongue, is translated to Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) in Greek by evidence of Ezra 5:2 when referencing the Aramaic text for Jeshua the son of Jozadak. 

Ezra 5:2

...באדין קמו זרבבל בר־שׁאלתיאל וישׁוע בר־יוצדק 

Ezr 5:2 - τότε ἀνέστησαν Ζοροβαβελ ὁ τοῦ Σαλαθιηλ καὶ Ἰησοῦς ὁ υἱὸς Ιωσεδεκ …

 

  • Through scriptures and Greek translations, the Hebrew  H3442 ישוע (Yaṣọwa) was translated to the Aramaic  H3443 ܝܫܘܥ (Yešū‘ or Yeshu‘) which was Hellenized into Ιεσους or Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous or Iisoús) in Ancient Greek. Then, from the Ancient Greek, is the Latin, Iesus, derived. Later, the English, Jesus, was derived from the Latin, Iesus. The definition of Jesus in the Greek helps confirm the name came from the Hebrew H3442 ישוע (Yaṣọwa) as well: 

Definition:

G2424   (Strong)

Ἰησοῦς

Iēsous

ee-ay-sooce'

Of Hebrew origin [H3442]; Jesus (that is, Jehoshua), the name of two (three) other Israelites: - Jesus.

H3442 ישוע  

original: ישוע

Transliteration: Yaṣọwa 
Phonetic: Ya-showa /jaʃowa/

For H3091; he will save; Jeshua, the name of six Israelites: - Jeshua.

  • Thus, through the translations of the Hebrew and Aramaic text into Greek, we can see that the English, Jesus, is truly from the Hellenized (Greek) rendition of the Aramaic H3443 ܝܫܘܥ (Yešū‘ or Yeshu‘), the Aramaic version of the Hebrew H3442 ישוע (Yaṣọwa), and not the name of Christ since H3442 ישוע (Yaṣọwa) is the name of multiple Israelites not the one and only name given under heaven amongst men by which we may be saved. 

Can the name of Christ Be "Jesus"?

  • Through the scriptures, Jesus wasn’t a rendition of the name of Christ because it is derived from other Hebrew names. Also, the scriptures help shed more light on the fact that the name of the Christ could not have been Jesus:

Hermas Parable 9

17[94]:4 "Because," saith he, "all the nations that dwell under heaven, when they heard and believed, were called by the one name of the Son of Alahayim

Prologue of Sirach 

..For the same things uttered in Hebrew, and translated into another tongue, have not the same force in them...

  • By the precepts, the name of Christ cannot be changed to another language because there is only "one name of the Son of Alahayim" {Hermas Parable 9 [17:4]} and "things uttered in Hebrew that are translated to another tongue do not have the same force in them" so the power of the name of Christ is not retained if it is translated into another other language. {Prologue of Sirach} ​Thus, Christ's name is the one Hebrew name that he was given. In the tab "What is the name of Salvation," we covered that Christ name could not have been any of the following names: 

  • Thus, any rendition, alteration, or transliteration of either of the names, ישוע H3442 יהושע H3091(a) ישעיה H3470(b) ישעי H3469 or יהושועH3091(b), in any language is not the name of the Christ, but merely a rendition of those other Hebrew names given amongst the Israelites. There have been a few renditions of these Hebrew names made today:

-From (Yahoche יהושע H3091(a)) is derived [Yahawashi/Yahusha]

-From (Yahoṣọwa יהושוע H3091(b) is derived [Yehoshua/Jehoshua/Joshua/Yahushua]

-From (Yaṣọwa ישוע H3442) is derived [Yashua/Yeshua/Yesu/Jeshua/Jesus]

-From (Yacheya ישעי H3469) is derived [Yashiya/Yashaya/Yasheya/Yishiy/Ishi]

-From (Yacheyah ישעיה H3470(b)) is derived [Yashayah/Yasheyah/Yeshayah/Jesaiah]

-From (Yacheyaho  ישעיהו H3470(a)) is derived [Yesha'yahu/Isaiah/Esaias]

 

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-From (Yacheya ישעי H3469) is derived [Yashiya/Yashaya/Yasheya/Yishiy/Ishi]

-From (Yacheyah ישעיה H3470(b)) is derived [Yashayah/Yasheyah/Yeshayah/Jesaiah]

-From (Yacheyaho  ישעיהו H3470(a)) is derived [Yesha'yahu/Isaiah/Esaias]

  • None of the modern renditions of those Hebrew names are the actual name of Christ. Unlike those other Hebrew's names, the name of the Son of Alahayim is "one" name so there are no other renditions or alterations of His name: 

Testament of Solomon chapter 52 

52. So I said to him: "I adjure thee in the name of the Alahayim Sabaoth, to tell me by what name thou art frustrated along with thy host." And the spirit answered me: "The 'great among men,' who is to suffer many things at the hands of men, whose name is the figure 644, which is Emmanuel; he it is who has bound us, and who will then come and plunge us from the steep under water. He is noised abroad in the three letters which bring him down "

  • It is a three letter Hebrew name that brings Emmanuel, which is Christ, down:

Act 4:12 

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

  • That three letter name is the only name under heaven given among men in scripture, whereby we must be saved: 

Hermas Parable 9

17[94]:4 "Because," saith he, "all the nations that dwell under heaven, when they heard and believed, were called by the one name of the Son of Alahayim

  • That three letter name of the Son of Alahayim is "one" name, so there not different versions or renditions of that three letter name because its His one name that all nations are called by and "things uttered in Hebrew and translated into other languages do not have the same force in them":

Prologue of Sirach 

For the same things uttered in Hebrew, and translated into another tongue, have not the same force in them...

  • Hence, that one "three letter name" of the Son of Alahayim is the one name that every knee shall bow at the sound off:

Php 2:10 

That at the name of Yache every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth...

  • The true scriptures show that the Son's one name is a comprised of three letters and uttered in Hebrew to retain its force and all nations that believe are called by this "one name" and every knee shall bow at the "one name." the one, three letter Hebrew Root word for salvation is  H3467 ישע Yache, the one name of the Son uttered in the force of the Hebrew tongue for the salvation of all nations that believe. It is untrue that the name ישע (Yache) corresponds to the English ‘Jesus’,  Latin Iēsūs, Greek Ἰησοῦς (iesous), or the Aramaic (Syriac) ܝܫܘܥ Yeshu‘. All these afore mentioned names in Latin, Greek, and Aramaic are produced from the respective language forms and renditions of the Hebrew name Yaṣọwa ישוע H3442 , which is a name of its own [Jeshua I Chron 31:15]  in Hebrew text and an alternative for Yahoche יהושע H3091(a[Jeshua Neh 8:17], not, (Yache) ישע, H3467 the name of Christ. For a more in depth breakdown of those names, please visit the "Bantu is Hebrew" document, #129-132, for further edification. The document is on the website:

https://www.hebrewreaders.com/hebrew

  • Please refer to the tab on "what is the name of Salvation?" and visit the playlist on the name of Christ for further edification on the name of Christ:

What is the name of Salvation:

https://www.hebrewreaders.com/what-is-the-nameof-salvation

Understanding the name of Salvation:

https://youtu.be/yXK8tZyXV0E

Is Aramaic and Hebrew the Same Language?

  • The Holy records show that Hebrew and Aramaic are not the same language. Although the Hebrews did incorporate Aramaic words into their language and use Hebrew words that correlated to Aramaic words due to the Aramaic influence during the Babylonian captivity, they did not stop speaking Hebrew altogether in place of Aramaic, neither did Aramaic become Hebrew. If one looks at scriptural history from the split of the tongues (languages) at the tower of Babel in the days of Peleg, the two languages, Hebrew and Aramaic, are not the same language respectively.

Appendix of Naphtali Chapter 8:3-6

3 And do not forget the Lord your Alahayim, the Alahayim of your fathers; Who was chosen by our father Abraham when the nations were divided in the time of Peleg. 4 For at that time the Lord, blessed be He, came down from His highest heavens, and brought down with Him seventy ministering angels, Michael at their head. 5 He commanded them to teach the seventy families which sprang from the loins of Noah seventy languages. 6 Forthwith the angels descended and did according to the command of their Creator. But the holy language, the Hebrew language, remained only in the house of Shem and Eber, and in the house of Abraham our father, who is one of their descendants.

 

  • Thus, Shem and Eber are not reckoned amongst the 70 families that were taught the 70 languages. According to precepts, the 70 languages, which are different from the holy language of Hebrew, are as follows: {Gen 10:1-32, I Chron 1:4-23, Appendix of Naphtali 88-10}

  1. Japheth

  2. Gomer

  3. Magog

  4. Madai (Medes)

  5. Javan (Greek)

  6. Tubal

  7. Meshech

  8. Tiras

  9. Ashkenaz

  10. Riphath

  11. Togarmah

  12. Elishah

  13. Tarshish

  14. Kittim (Romim {Latin})

  15. Dodanim

  16.  Ham

  17. Cush

  18. Mizraim (Egyptian) 

  19. Phut

  20. Canaan

  21. Seba

  22. Havilah

  23. Sabtah

  24. Raamah

  25. Sabtecha

  26. Sheba

  27. Dedan

  28. Ludim

  29. Anamim

  30. Lehabim

  31. Naphtuhim

  32. Pathrusim

  33. Casluhim

  34. Caphtorim

  35. Sidon

  36. Heth

  37. the Jebusite

  38. the Amorite

  39. the Girgasite

  40. the Hivite

  41. the Arkite

  42. the Sinite

  43. the Arvadite

  44. the Zemarite

  45. the Hamathite

  46. Elam (Persian)

  47. Asshur (Assyrian) 

  48. Arphaxad (Chaldean) 

  49. Lud

  50. Aram (Syrian) 

  51. Uz

  52. Hul

  53. Gether

  54. Mash

  55. Salah

  56. Peleg

  57. Joktan

  58. Almodad

  59. Sheleph

  60. Hazarmaveth

  61. Jerah

  62. Hadoram

  63. Uzal

  64. Diklah

  65. Obal

  66. Abimael

  67. Sheba

  68. Ophir

  69. Havilah

  70. Jobab

 

  • Of those 70 languages, Aram (Syrian), Asshur (Assyrian), and Arphaxad (Chaldean) are from whom the dialects Aramaic derive today. The 70 families chose to worship the angels who taught them their respective languages:

Appendix of Naphtali Chapter 9:1-4

Chapter 9 1 And on that day Michael took a message from the Lord, and said to the seventy nations, to each nation separately: 2 “You know the rebellion you undertook, and the treacherous confederacy into which you entered against the Lord of heaven and earth, and now choose today whom you will worship, and who shall be your intercessor in the height of heaven.” 3 Nimrod the wicked answered and said, “For me there is none greater than he who taught me and my people in one hour the language of Kush.” 4 In like manner also answered Put, and Mitzraim, and Tubal, and Javan, and Meshech, and Tiras; and every nation chose its own angel, and none of them mentioned the name of the Lord, blessed be He. 

  • As none of the 70 families chose the Lord, the Hebrew language did not remain with any of them. Thus, Hebrew and the Aramaic dialects of the Syrians, Assyrians, and Chaldeans are not the same languages. Of the sons of Noah, the Hebrew language only remained with those who chose the Lord Alahayim: 

 

Appendix of Naphtali Chapter 9:5

5 But when Michael said unto Abraham our father, “Abram, whom dost thou choose, and whom wilt thou worship?” Abram answered, “I choose and select only Him who said, and the world was created; Who formed me in the womb of my mother, body within body; Who placed in me spirit and soul; Him I choose, and to Him I will cleave, I and my seed, all the days of the world.

  • Abram chose the Lord and the Hebrew race was established in him and his seed from that time forward, hence he is known as, Abram the Hebrew:

Jasher 77:44

44. And the stick came down to Noah and was given to Shem and his descendants, until it came into the hand of Abraham the Hebrew. ​

  • As for his seed:

Jubilees 16:16

16. And we returned in the seventh month, and found Sarah with child before us] and we blessed him, and we announced to him all the things which had been decreed concerning him, that he should not die till he should beget six sons more, and should see (them) before he died;...

  • Of his seed, in Isaac was his name and seed called. Hence, Isaac is known as "the Hebrew":

Jubilees16:16

...but (that) in Isaac should his name and seed be called:

Jasher 33:9 

9. And they said unto him, surely this is the daughter of Jacob the son of Isaac the Hebrew

  • The sons of Abraham and Isaac are:

  1. Ishmael (Ishmaelites {Arabs})

  2. Esau (Edomites)

  3. Jacob (Israelites)

  4. Children of Keturah (Arabs) 

  • Not all the sons of Abraham and Isaac would be counted for the seed as some are reckoned amongst the Gentiles:

Jubilees 16:17

17. And (that) all the seed of his sons should be Gentiles, and be reckoned with the Gentiles;

  • Abraham's children of the Ishmaelites and the children of Keturah (Arabs) are reckoned among the Gentiles so they are not Hebrews by race.

Jubilees 16:17

...but from the sons of Isaac one should become a holy seed, and should not be reckoned among the Gentiles.

 

  • The sons of Isaac are Esau and Jacob. One will be reckoned amongst the Gentiles and the other shall be a holy seed not reckoned among the Gentiles:

 Jubilees 16:18

18. For he should become the portion of the Most High, and all his seed had fallen into the possession of Alahayim, that it should be unto Ahayah a people for (His) possession above all nations and that it should become a kingdom and priests and a holy nation. 

  • This son of Isaac would be the portion of the Most high and his seed (children) would fall into possession of Alahayim as well. The son of Isaac that would not be reckoned among the Gentiles and become a holy seed and the portion of the Most High was Jacob according to precept:

Deuteronomy 32:9 

For Ahayah’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.

  • Esau and his children are reckoned among the Gentiles, while Jacob is the holy seed and his children are the portion and people of the Most High who shall not be reckoned among the 70 Gentile nations:

Num 23:10  

Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel?

Num 23:9  

For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.

  • Hence, Jacob and his children are also known as "the Hebrews" by race (nation): 

Jasher 42:14

14. And Simeon said unto them; verily I am Simeon the son of Jacob the Hebrew

Jasher 39:54

 And all the sons of Jacob were still smiting the inhabitants of Gaash, and were engaged in slaying them till evening, about twenty thousand men and women. And the people of Chorin said, surely this is the work of the Hebrews, for they are still carrying on war in all the cities of the Amorites. 

  • Now that we understand who the Hebrew race is according to scripture, let's look at how Abraham retained the Hebrew language. After the time of the tower of Babel, Abram was taught the holy language by the Angel of Ahayah:

Jubilees 12:22-25

22. And I shall be a Alahayim to thee and thy son, and to thy son's son, and to all thy seed: fear not, from henceforth and unto all generations of the earth I am thy Alahayim." 23. And Ahayah Alahayim said: "Open his mouth and his ears, that he may hear and speak with his mouth, with the language which hath been revealed"; for it had ceased from the mouths of all the children of men from the day of the overthrow (of Babel). 24. And I opened his mouth, and his ears and his lips, and I began to speak with him in Hebrew in the tongue of the creation. 25. And he took the books of his fathers, and these were written in Hebrew and he transcribed them, and he began from henceforth to study them, and I made known to him that which he could not (understand), and he studied them during the six rainy months.

  • Thus, the Hebrew language was retained in amongst the Hebrew race of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the Israelites. The scriptures confirm that truly there were 70 languages in the ancient times as well:

Jasher 48:47

 47. And it was customary in those days in Egypt that no one should reign over them, but who understood to speak in the seventy languages.

Jasher 49:9

9. And all the officers answered the king and said, but surely it is written in the Laws of Egypt, and it should not be violated, that no man shall reign over Egypt, nor be the second to the king, but one who has knowledge in all the languages of the sons of men.

  • Thus the 70 languages were the languages of the sons of men, yet Hebrew, the holy language and language of creation, is the language of Alahayim and angels so it is a different language altogether:

Apocalypse of Paul 29 

And I said to the angel: Sir, what is HaluluYah? And the angel answered and said to me: You ask questions about everything. And he said to me, HaluluYah is said in the Hebrew language of Alahayim and angels, for the meaning of HaluluYah is this: tecel cat. marith macha. And I said, Sir, what is tecel cat. marith macha? And the angel answered and said unto me: “tecel'cat. marith macha” is: Let us all bless him together.

  • Hence, if a person spoke any of the 70 languages of men and Hebrew, the language of Alahayim and angels, they spoke the tongues of men and angels just as Paul spoke Hebrew, angel's tongue, and Greek, one of the 70 languages of men:

1 Corinthians 13:1

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

  • In scripture, just like modern day, one could also learn the languages of other nations though one was not of that nation by race as was the case for Joseph the Hebrew who spake Hebrew and was taught the 70 languages of the Gentiles, which included the dialects of Aramaic:

Jasher 49:9-14

9. And all the officers answered the king and said, but surely it is written in the Laws of Egypt, and it should not be violated, that no man shall reign over Egypt, nor be the second to the king, but one who has knowledge in all the languages of the sons of men. 10. Now therefore our lord and king, behold this Hebrew man can only speak the Hebrew language. How then can he be over us the second under government, a man who not even knoweth our language? 11. Now we pray thee send for him, and let him come before thee, and prove him in all things, and do as thou seest. 12. And the king said, it shall be done so tomorrow, and what you have spoken is good; and all the officers came on that day before the king. 13. And on that night Ahayah sent one of his ministering angels, and he came unto the land of Egypt unto Joseph, and the angel of Ahayah stood over Joseph, and behold Joseph was lying in the bed at night in his master's house in the dungeon, for his master had put him back into the dungeon on account of his wife. 14. And the angel roused him from his sleep, and Joseph rose up and stood upon his legs, and behold the angel of Ahayah was standing opposite to him. And the angel of Ahayah spoke with Joseph and taught him all the languages of man in that night, and he called his name Jehoseph.

  • Thus we see that Hebrew was always a different langauge that the 70 languages of the Gentiles though one could learn the other langauges as well. It is also evident that nations were learning each other's languages by evidence of the law in Egypt that required a man to know all 70 languages. In latter times, the Hebrews also became known as Jews and some learned Aramaic though Hebrew was still their common language amongst the Jews:

2Ki 18:26  

Then said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebna, and Joah, unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language;H762  for we understand it: and talk not with us in the Jews' language H3066 in the ears of the people that are on the wall.

Definitions:

H762  

ארמית

Feminine of H761; (only adverbially) in Aramaean: - in the Syrian language (tongue), in Syriack.

BDB Definition:

Aramaic = “language”

1) the language of Aram, Aramaic

H3066  

יהודית

BDB Definition:

1) in the Jewish language, in Hebrew​

  • Thus, even after the events of Babel, the Holy Records still make a clear distinction between the Hebrew and the Aramaic (Syrian) tongue in the Old Testament [II Kings 18:26] before the Jews were taken captive by the Babylonians. We also see that some Jews could understand Aramaic and some could not because it was not their common language of Hebrew.

2 Ki 18:26

....Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language;H762  for we understand it: and talk not with us in the Jews' language H3066 in the ears of the people that are on the wall.

  • The Syrian language is Aramaic as oppose to the Hebrew language of the Jews. One can see that Aramaic was the language of the Chaldeans by the people speaking to the king in Syriac in Dan 2:4.

Dan 2:4

Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, H762 O king, live forever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation.

  • In the Babylonian captivity some of the Jews did learn the Aramaic language as well:

Dan 1:3-4

And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;  Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.

 

  • By the time of the New Testament, the Jews still spoke Hebrew, [Act 21:40;22:2] yet due do the Chaldean influence during their captivity, some learned the Aramaic tongue of the Chaldeans, some just also mingled Aramaic words into their speech {Mark 5:41} and spake Hebrew words that correlated to Aramaic words. {John 5:2; 19:13; 20:16} Hence, they would say some words in the Hebrew tongue, {Rev 9:11; 16:16} others in the Aramaic tongue, {Mark 7:34} and others in the Hebrew tongue's version of Aramaic words {John 19:17} by evidence of looking at the definitions of non-Greek words in the New Testament. When looking at the definitions, one would find that some words derive from Hebrew, some transliterated from Aramaic, and others derived from Aramaic origins, but spoken in the Hebrew tongue to help understand the Hebrews spoke a mixture of both Hebrew and Aramaic in the New Testament due to the foreign influence, yet the distinction could still be made between Hebrew and Aramaic words when they spake by the reaction of the people to the respective languages and looking at the definitions of the words because the languages were not one and the same nor considered one and the same at any time in scripture. Let's look at some examples: 

Jews speaking the Hebrew tongue:

John 1:38 

 Then Yache turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) were dwellest thou? 

Definition:

G4461   (Strong)

ῥαββί

rhabbi

hrab-bee'

Of Hebrew origin [H7227] with pronominal suffix; my master, that is, Rabbi, as an official title of honor: - Master, Rabbi.

Rev 16:16  

And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon

Definition:

G717   (Strong)

Ἀρμαγεδδών

Armageddōn

ar-mag-ed-dohn'

Of Hebrew origin [H2022] and [H4023]; Armageddon (or Har-Megiddon), a symbolical name: - Armageddon.

Rev 9:11  

And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon 

Definition:

G3   (Strong)

Ἀβαδδών

Abaddōn

ab-ad-dohn'

Of Hebrew origin [H11]; a destroying angel: - Abaddon.

Joh 1:41  

He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. 

Definition:

G3323   (Strong)

Μεσσίας

Messias

mes-see'-as

Of Hebrew origin [H4899]; the Messias (that is, Mashiach), or Christ: - Messias.

Chaldean influence: Jews speaking the Aramaic tongue: 

Mar 7:34  

And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. 

Definition:

G2188 

ἐφφαθά 

ephphatha (Aramaic transliterated into Greek)

Of Chaldee origin [H6606]; be opened!: - Ephphatha.

H6606   (Strong)

פְּתַח

pethach

peth-akh'

(Chaldee); corresponding to H6605; to open: - open.

Chaldean Influence: Jews using Hebrew renditions of Chaldean words:

  • Hebrews also spake Hebrew renditions of names that were Chaldean in origin. 

John 19:17

17  And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:

Definition:

G1115   (Strong)

Γολγοθᾶ

Golgotha

gol-goth-ah'

Of Chaldee origin (compare [H1538]); the skull; Golgotha, a knoll near Jerusalem: - Golgotha.

H1538   (Strong)

גלגלת 

By reduplication from H1556; a skull (as round); by implication a head (in enumeration of persons): - head, every man, poll, skull.

 

  • The names were "of Chaldean origin" but "in the Hebrew" they are said differently, so the apostle was speaking the Hebrew rendition of Chaldean words. 

 

Chaldean Influence: Jews speaking Hebrew words and Aramaic words together: 

Mat 27:46  

And about the ninth hour Yache cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli,G2241  Eli,G2241  lamaG2982 sabachthani?G4518  that is to say, My Ala, my Ala, why hast thou forsaken me? 

Definition:

G2241   (Strong)

ἠλί

ēli

ay-lee'

Of Hebrew origin ([H410] with pronoun suffix); my Ala: - Eli.

 

G2982   (Strong)

λαμά, λαμμᾶ

lama    lamma

lam-ah', lam-mah'

Of Hebrew origin ([H4100] with preposition prefixed); lama (that is, why): - lama.

 

G4518   (Strong)

σαβαχθανί

sabachthani (Aramaic Transliterated into Greek)

sab-akh-than-ee'

Of Chaldee origin [H7662] with pronominal suffix; thou hast left me; sabachthani (that is, shebakthani), a cry of distress: - sabachthani.

 

H7662   (Strong)

שְׁבַק

shebaq

sheb-ak'

(Chaldee); corresponding to the root of H7733; to quit, that is, allow to remain: - leave, let alone.

  • Thus we see through scripture and definitions, the Hebrews spoke Hebrew and Aramaic due to the Babylonian influence but the languages were not considered one and the same. Also, just as in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, (2 Kings 18) not all Jews understood the Sryian tongue, yet they did speak Hebrew. Hence, when Christ spake Hebrew and Aramaic, some who did not understand both, heard the Hebrew H410 אלי "Ala ya," which is "my Ala," thought he was calling for Elijah which can be H452 אליה "Alayah" or אליהו "Alayaho"  as the words sound similar and they didn't know what he meant by "sabachthani" in Aramaic:

Mat 27:47 

Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.

  • Though some didn't understand, some Jews like the apostle Matthew understood both Hebrew and Aramaic to know what Christ was saying altogether.

Mat 27:46  

And about the ninth hour Yache cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?  that is to say, My Ala, my Ala, why hast thou forsaken me

  • Though, not all could understand both languages in those days, the people still had respect unto Hebrew when it was spoken: 

Act 21:40  

And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,

Act 22:1  Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.

Act 22:2  (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)

  • There we see the Jews still had respect unto hearing the Hebrew tongue spoken. Thus, Hebrew and Aramaic was spoken by the Jews by the days of the Apostles, yet the distinction between the two could still be made to help understand that both languages are not one and the same. Identifying the true Hebrew language amongst the Bantu who still speak the ancient Hebrew Dialect up to this day also helps identify the true Hebrews who stem from the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. Though they have had more influence on their language from the Arabic colonization and enslavement, they still have retained much of the Hebrew language in their root words. Just like in the days of Christ wherein there was a mixture of Hebrew and Chaldean words spoken due to captivity by the Chaldeans, even so is it among the Jews (Bantu) today as there is a mixture of Arabic, words of Chaldean origin, and Hebrew words spoken among them. All this foreign influence on the Hebrew language helps understand that though the people still speak Hebrew, there is a need for the purification of the language. Here in these end times, Ahayah will turn to the people the pure language by His grace before the end comes:

Zephaniah 3:9

For then will I turn to the people a pure language that they may all call upon the name of Ahayah to serve him with one consent

  •  It will come to pass that the pure language will be spoken in 5 cities in the land of Egypt.

Isa 19:18  

In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to Ahayah of hosts; one shall be called, The city of destruction.

  • In closing, Hebrew and Aramaic are not the same language, yet the some Jews spoke both languages in the Old testament and others mingled words together from both languages in the Gospels. In either case, the languages were never considered one and the same. Hebrew has been retained amongst the Bantu in their root words, yet the language is not pure due to the influence of their respective captivities and colonizations over the years. Here in these end times, the Hebrew pure language will be returned unto the people according to prophecy. For further edification on the linguistic history of the Jews and evidence of the Hebrew language being spoken amongst the Bantu, please visit the website tab "Bantu is Hebrew" along with the PDFs available on that page:

https://www.hebrewreaders.com/hebrew

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