LANGUAGES OF THE BIBLE

The text of the Bible consists of three languages. (a) The O.T. was composed principally in Hebrew. This Semitic tongue was well adapted to emotional, poetic, and religious expression. It was ideal for the revelation of divine religion in the early days of man's history. (b) Some portions of the O.T. are in Aramaic (Dan. 2:4-4:7; Ezra 4:8-6:18; 7:12-16; Jer. 10:11). After the time of the Babylonian captivity, Aramaic replaced Hebrew as the spoken language of the Israelite people. It continued to be the tongue of the Hebrews until their destruction in A.D. 70. (c) The N.T. was penned in KOINE GREEK (see), the common language of commercial and street life in the first century Roman Empire. It was used from Rome to Babylon. Paul's letter to the saints in Rome was not in Latin, but Greek. Koine was the finest language instrument ever for the expression of precise human thought. Surely this language was a tool employed in the providential workings of God. See: FULNESS OF TIME.