The Bible was written in four languages: Latin, Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew. Aramaic and Hebrew were used for the Old Testament, while Greek was used for the New Testament. These languages reflect the origins of the people who contributed to the Bible. Hebrew is still used today, while the others are considered dead languages. Aramaic was the common language in Palestine and was likely spoken by Jesus. Latin was the official language of the Roman Empire and was used by scholars and administrators. Few people spoke Hebrew in Biblical times, but it was still read by most Jews. Studying these languages helps scholars gain a deeper understanding of the Bible and its people.
There were four major languages spoken by people in Biblical times: Latin, Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew. The Old Testament of the Bible was originally written in Aramaic and Hebrew, and the New Testament was written in Greek. This blend of languages reflects the origins of the different people who contributed to the Bible, as spoken and written languages varied by ethnicity, class, and education. Three of the four languages are considered dead languages, meaning they are no longer spoken although scholars continue to read and study them. The fourth, Hebrew, is still used in parts of the Middle East and in the Books of the Torah, the Hebrew Bible.
Aramaic is probably the least known of the languages of Biblical times. This term actually refers to a family of ancient Semitic languages that were widely spoken throughout the Middle East. Aramaic is closely related to Hebrew, which borrowed script for its alphabet. Biblical Aramaic is no longer used, although modern languages of the family are employed in scattered parts of the world for liturgy, religious practice, and communication in some regions. The language was the common language in Palestine, and was most likely the language spoken by Jesus himself. It was replaced in the Middle East by Arabic in the 7th century.
The Greek spoken in Biblical times was ordinary Greek, which is related to modern Greek, though different enough that we cannot understand it. Common Greek was a more basic dialect of the refined Ancient Greek used by Aristotle and Plato. Although Biblical Greek is no longer spoken, some scholars still read the New Testament in this language. Many Greek speakers and scholars lived in the eastern parts of the Roman Empire and contributed to the language and culture of the region.
Latin was spoken by scholars and administrators. It was the official language of the Roman Empire and documents, decrees and announcements would be offered in this language. It is unlikely that Latin was widely spoken among ordinary citizens, although more educated individuals may have used it. Latin was not adopted for religious liturgy until the 2nd century, when it replaced Greek throughout the Empire. It is the mother of the Romance languages, including Italian, French, Portuguese and Spanish.
Few people spoke Hebrew in Biblical times because it had largely been replaced by Aramaic, but most Jews read the Bible in Hebrew anyway. A revival in the 1800s revived Biblical Hebrew, preserving it as a living language, although it is spoken by a small number of individuals.
These four primary languages represent a variety of cultures and ethnicities, all of which figure prominently in the Bible. Bible scholars often study two or more of these languages in an effort to gain a deeper understanding of the Bible and the people who inhabit its pages.
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