Aramaic Personal Names in The New Testament
Personal names in the New Testament come from a number of languages, Hebrew and Greek are most common. However, there are a good few Aramaic names as well. The most prominent feature in Aramaic names is 'bar' (Greek transliteration βαρ, Aramaic bar), meaning 'son of', a common patronym prefix. Its Hebrew equivalent, 'ben', is conspicuous by its absence. Some examples are:
- Matthew 10:3 — Bartholomew (Βαρθολομαιος from bar-Tôlmay, perhaps 'son of furrows' or 'ploughman').
- Matthew 16:17 — Simon bar-Jona (Σιμων Βαριωνας from Šim`ôn bar-Yônâ, 'Simon son of Jonah').
- John 1:42 — Simon bar-Jochanan ('Simon son of John').
- Matthew 27:16 — Barabbas (Βαραββας from bar-Abbâ, 'son of the father').
- Mark 10:46 — Bartimaeus (Βαρτιμαιος possibly from combination of Aramaic bar and Greek timaeus meaning 'honorable' or 'highly prized', perhaps 'honorable son').
- Acts 1:23 — Barsabbas (Βαρσαββας from bar-Šabbâ, 'son of the Sabbath').
- Acts 4:36 — Joseph who is called Barnabas (Βαρναβας from bar-Navâ meaning 'son of prophecy, the prophet', but given the Greek translation υιος παρακλησεως; usually translated as 'son of consolation/encouragement', the Greek could mean 'invocation' as well).
- Acts 13:6 — Bar-Jesus (Βαριησους from bar-Yêšû`, 'son of Jesus/Joshua').
Read more about this topic: Aramaic Of Jesus
Famous quotes containing the words personal, names and/or testament:
“I’m afraid, sir, that I gave up my belief in goblins, witches, personal devils and werewolves at the age of six.”
—John Colton (1886–1946)
“Watt’s need of semantic succour was at times so great that he would set to trying names on things, and on himself, almost as a woman hats.”
—Samuel Beckett (1906–1989)
“Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.”
—Bible: New Testament 1 Samuel, 18:7.
Said by the women of Israel after David killed Goliath; and overheard by Saul, who then determined to kill David.