the lord's prayer in aramaic with english translation

Sushi Authors

2 min read

·

08-10-2024

151

0

Share

Unlocking the Ancient Words: The Lord's Prayer in Aramaic

The Lord's Prayer, a cornerstone of Christian faith, holds a special significance when viewed through the lens of its original language: Aramaic. This ancient language, spoken by Jesus and his disciples, offers a deeper understanding of the prayer's meaning and impact.

Aramaic Origins: A Journey Back in Time

According to Dr. David L. Peterson, a renowned scholar of Aramaic and Biblical languages, "The Lord's Prayer, as recorded in Matthew 6:9-13, is the only instance of Jesus teaching in Aramaic that we have in the New Testament." This unique glimpse into Jesus' native tongue provides an invaluable window into his words and the cultural context in which he uttered them.

The Lord's Prayer in Aramaic: A Transliteration and English Translation

Here's the Aramaic version of the Lord's Prayer, transliterated to make it easier to read, with an English translation:

Aramaic:

• ܐܒܐ ܕܒܫܡܝܐ - Abba d'bšmaya - Our Father in Heaven
• ܢܬܩܕܫ ܫܡܟ - Nitqadash šmaḵ - Your name be hallowed
• ܬܐܬܐ ܡܠܟܘܬܟ - T'at'a malkût'ḵ - Your kingdom come
• ܢܗܘܐ ܨܒܝܢܟ ܐܝܟ ܕܒܫܡܝܐ ܐܦ ܒܐܪܥܐ - N'huwa ṣəbya'ḵ ayk d'bšmaya 'ap b'ar'a - Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven
• ܗܒ ܠܢ ܠܚܡܐ ܕܝܘܡܢܐ - Heb l'n l'ḥma d'yomn'a - Give us this day our daily bread
• ܘܫܒܘܩ ܠܢ ܚܘܒܝܢ - Wšbuq l'n ḥwbyn - And forgive us our debts
• ܐܝܟܢܐ ܕܐܦ ܚܢܢ ܫܒܩܢ ܠܚܝܒܝܢ - Ayk'na d'ap ḥn'n šbuq'n l'ḥybyn - As we also have forgiven our debtors
• ܘܠܐ ܬܥܠܢ ܠܢܤܝܘܢܐ - Wla t'al'n l'n'sywn'a - And lead us not into temptation
• ܐܠܐ ܦܨܢ ܡܢ ܒܝܫܐ - 'Ela pṣan m'n b'yša - But deliver us from evil.
• ܐܡܝܢ - 'Amen - Amen

Understanding the Nuances

The Aramaic version of the Lord's Prayer reveals nuances often missed in English translations:

• "Abba": This term, meaning "father" or "daddy," conveys a sense of intimacy and close relationship with God, unlike the more formal "Father" in English.
• "Nitqadash": This word emphasizes the holiness of God's name, rather than just being "hallowed" as in English.
• "T'at'a malkût'ḵ": The Aramaic "T'at'a" suggests an active coming or arrival, not just a passive acceptance of the Kingdom.

Aramaic in Modern Times

While Aramaic is no longer a widely spoken language, it continues to be a source of fascination and spiritual connection for Christians. According to Dr. Gregory D. K. Pritchett, a scholar of Ancient Near Eastern languages, "Even though the Aramaic language is not spoken as widely as it once was, the Lord's Prayer, in its Aramaic form, serves as a powerful reminder of the historical and cultural context of Jesus' teachings."

Beyond Translation: Embracing the Ancient Wisdom

The Lord's Prayer in Aramaic is more than just a linguistic curiosity. It's a gateway to a deeper understanding of Jesus' words and the spiritual values he embodied. By immersing oneself in the ancient language, one can gain a richer appreciation for the prayer's profound message and its timeless relevance.

Further Exploration

• Academic Resources: For those interested in a deeper dive into the Aramaic language and its significance in Christianity, resources from reputable scholars like Dr. Peterson, Dr. Pritchett, and others can be found on platforms like Academia.edu.
• Aramaic Dictionaries and Grammars: Learning basic Aramaic vocabulary and grammar can enhance the understanding of the Lord's Prayer and other biblical texts.
• Religious Texts: Explore biblical translations that incorporate Aramaic words or phrases to gain a richer understanding of the original text.

Conclusion

The Lord's Prayer, in its original Aramaic form, offers a unique window into the life and teachings of Jesus. By embracing its ancient words, we can gain a deeper understanding of its profound message and its enduring relevance for generations to come.