adverb from Ἑβραΐς; Hebraistically or in the Jewish (Chaldee) language:--in (the) Hebrew (tongue).
Transliteration:Hebraïstí
Pronunciation:heb-rah-is-tee'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adverb Ἑβραϊστί (Hebraïstí, `{{G1447}}`) is derived from Ἑβραΐς (Hebraïs, `{{G1446}}`), which can refer to a Hebrew woman or, more commonly in this context, the Hebrew language itself. As an adverb, Hebraïstí signifies "in the Hebrew language" or "Hebraistically." Its semantic range, however, is broader than merely classical Hebrew. In the New Testament era, the term "Hebrew" was often used by Greek speakers to refer to the common Semitic language spoken by Jews in Judea, which was predominantly Aramaic. Therefore, Hebraïstí can denote either genuine Hebrew words or, more frequently, Aramaic terms that were part of the Jewish vernacular. This linguistic fluidity reflects the diglossia of 1st-century Judea, where Aramaic was the common tongue, Hebrew was preserved for religious and scholarly contexts, and Greek served as the lingua franca of the wider Roman world.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Hebraïstí appears seven times in the New Testament, primarily in the Gospel of John and the book of Revelation, consistently serving to explain or identify terms by their Semitic origin for a Greek-speaking audience.
* **[[John 5:2]]**: "Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda." Bethesda is an Aramaic name, likely meaning "House of Mercy/Grace."
* **[[John 19:13]]**: "When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, which in Hebrew is Gabbatha." Gabbatha is an Aramaic term, likely referring to a raised platform.
* **[[John 19:17]]**: "And carrying his own cross, he went out to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Hebrew is Golgotha." Golgotha is an Aramaic transliteration of a Hebrew word meaning "skull."
* **[[John 19:20]]**: "Many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, Latin, and Greek." The Greek text here uses Hebraïstí, clearly indicating that the "Hebrew" used for the inscription was in fact Aramaic, the common tongue.
* **[[John 20:16]]**: "Jesus said to her, 'Mary!' She turned and said to him in Hebrew, 'Rabboni!' (which means Teacher)." "Rabboni" is an Aramaic honorific for a teacher, reinforcing the common usage of Hebraïstí for Aramaic.
* **[[Revelation 9:11]]**: "They have as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he has the name Apollyon." Abaddon is a genuine Hebrew word meaning "destruction" or "place of destruction."
* **[[Revelation 16:16]]**: "And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon." Armageddon is derived from Hebrew Har Megiddo (`{{H2022}}`), meaning "Mount of Megiddo," a significant prophetic location.
In these contexts, Hebraïstí functions as a linguistic bridge, making Jewish place names, titles, and concepts intelligible to a broader audience. It highlights the authentic, local setting of the events while simultaneously demonstrating the universal reach of the divine narrative.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding Hebraïstí is enhanced by examining related terms and linguistic concepts:
* **Ἑβραῖος (Hebraios, `{{G1444}}`):** "A Hebrew," referring to a person of Hebrew descent or one who speaks the Hebrew language. This noun describes the people whose language is indicated by Hebraïstí.
* **Ἑβραΐς (Hebraïs, `{{G1446}}`):** The noun from which Hebraïstí is derived, meaning "a Hebrewess" or "the Hebrew language."
* **Ἑλληνιστί (Hellenisti, `{{G1677}}`):** "In Greek," serving as a direct linguistic contrast to Hebraïstí within the New Testament, illustrating the multilingual environment.
* **Aramaic:** While not a distinct Strong's number, the pervasive presence of Aramaic in the New Testament, often labeled "Hebraïstí," is crucial. Words like "Talitha Cumi" ([[Mark 5:41]]), "Ephphatha" ([[Mark 7:34]]), and "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" ([[Matthew 27:46]]) are Aramaic expressions, demonstrating the linguistic reality behind the term.
* **Diglossia/Multilingualism:** The concept of multiple languages coexisting and being used in different social contexts (e.g., Aramaic for daily life, Hebrew for scripture, Greek for commerce and administration, Latin for Roman authority) is essential for grasping the significance of Hebraïstí.
### Theological Significance
The use of Hebraïstí carries several layers of theological significance:
* **Cultural and Historical Rootedness:** The consistent identification of terms "in Hebrew" grounds the New Testament narrative firmly in its Jewish cultural, historical, and geographical context. It underscores that the Gospel message emerged from and fulfilled the promises made to the people of Israel.
* **Authenticity and Witness:** The inclusion of Semitic terms, even if explained, lends an air of authenticity to the accounts. It suggests eyewitness testimony and a deep familiarity with the local customs and language, reinforcing the reliability of the Gospel narratives.
* **Divine Revelation and Continuity:** By linking New Testament events and figures to terms "in Hebrew," the biblical authors subtly emphasize the continuity of God's revelation. The Old Testament was primarily written in Hebrew, and the New Testament, while in Greek, maintains a linguistic thread to the prior covenant. Names like Abaddon and Armageddon, specifically noted as "in Hebrew" in Revelation, connect end-time prophecies to their ancient Israelite origins.
* **Universal Accessibility of Truth:** Paradoxically, while Hebraïstí points to a specific linguistic origin, its very function is to make that origin accessible to a wider, Greek-speaking audience. The evangelists, particularly John, demonstrate an impulse to translate and explain, ensuring that the unique truths revealed in Judea are comprehensible to all nations, foreshadowing the global reach of the Gospel.
* **Incarnation and Context:** The fact that the Son of God, in His earthly ministry, spoke the language of His people (Aramaic, often referred to as "Hebrew") highlights the depth of His incarnation and identification with humanity within a specific cultural setting.
### Summary
Hebraïstí (`{{G1447}}`) is an adverb meaning "in the Hebrew language," but in the New Testament, it frequently denotes Aramaic, the common Semitic vernacular of 1st-century Judea, alongside genuine Hebrew terms. Occurring primarily in John and Revelation, its usage serves to explain place names, titles, and concepts for a Greek-speaking audience, bridging linguistic and cultural gaps. Theologically, Hebraïstí underscores the Jewish cultural and historical rootedness of the Gospel, affirms the authenticity of the biblical accounts, highlights the continuity of divine revelation from the Old to the New Covenant, and ultimately demonstrates the universal accessibility of God's truth, which, though originating in a specific context, is intended for all peoples.
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