The New Testament in Hebrew: History, Translations and Significance
The New Testament was written in Greek, but it has also been translated into Hebrew. These translations allow Hebrew speakers to read the accounts of Jesus, the letters of the apostles and the other New Testament writings in their own language. They also offer readers around the world a fresh way to explore the Jewish context in which Christianity began.
Was the New Testament originally written in Hebrew?
The New Testament books were composed in the first century, principally in Koine Greek—the widely used form of Greek across much of the eastern Roman Empire. Although Jesus and many of his earliest followers would have spoken Aramaic, and Hebrew was used in religious and cultural life, the surviving New Testament texts are in Greek.
Some readers point to references in early Christian writings to a Hebrew or “Hebrew” version of Matthew. The meaning of these references is debated, and no first-century Hebrew manuscript of the Gospel of Matthew has been established. A medieval Hebrew version of Matthew preserved by Shem Tov ben Isaac, for example, is historically interesting, but it is not generally regarded as proof that the Gospel was originally written in Hebrew.
How did Hebrew translations develop?
For many centuries, Jewish communities spoke Hebrew in religious settings, while everyday languages varied from place to place. As Christianity spread, the New Testament was translated into languages used by different communities. Hebrew translations appeared much later than the original Greek texts, with translation work developing particularly from the early modern period onwards.
Today, several Hebrew translations are available. They differ in style, vocabulary and approach: some aim to reflect the structure of the Greek closely, while others use more natural contemporary Hebrew. As with any translation, no single version can reproduce every shade of meaning in the original, so comparing translations can be helpful.
Why read the New Testament in Hebrew?
A Hebrew translation can make the text accessible to Hebrew-speaking readers and can bring certain words, names and expressions into sharper focus. It may also help readers consider the New Testament’s connections with the Hebrew Scriptures, Jewish customs and the language of its setting.
At the same time, a Hebrew translation is still a translation. The earliest complete sources for the New Testament are Greek manuscripts, and serious study often compares Hebrew translations with the Greek text and with other ancient versions. This is especially important where a word or phrase could be understood in more than one way.
Hebrew, Aramaic and Syriac
Hebrew is sometimes confused with Aramaic or Syriac. They are related languages, but they are not the same. Aramaic was widely spoken in the region during the time of Jesus, and a small number of Aramaic words and phrases appear in the Greek New Testament. Syriac is a later form of Aramaic in which an important early Christian translation, the Peshitta, was written. The Peshitta is not a Hebrew translation.
Choosing a Hebrew New Testament
When choosing a Hebrew edition, consider who produced it, when it was published and whether it is intended for study or everyday reading. A modern translation may be easier to follow, while a more literal version may be useful for close comparison. Readers who do not know Hebrew can still consult a bilingual edition or a reliable study resource, but should bear in mind that transliteration and translation notes cannot fully convey the language’s nuances.
A valuable perspective on an ancient text
The New Testament in Hebrew is not evidence that the surviving books were originally composed in that language. It is a significant part of the history of translation and a valuable resource for Hebrew-speaking readers. Read alongside the Greek sources and other translations, it can deepen understanding of the New Testament’s message, language and historical setting.
Exploring the New Testament in Hebrew: Six Benefits for Language and Contextual Understanding
- Makes the New Testament accessible to Hebrew speakers.
- Offers a fresh perspective on familiar passages.
- Highlights links with the Hebrew Scriptures.
- Helps explore the text’s Jewish context.
- Supports Hebrew language learning.
- Allows comparison between translations.
Challenges of Reading the New Testament in Hebrew: Translation Variations, Original Language Considerations, and Language Proficiency Requirements
- Hebrew translations can differ in wording and interpretation.
- The New Testament was originally written mainly in Greek, so Hebrew editions are translations.
- Some editions may be difficult to read without knowledge of modern or biblical Hebrew.
Makes the New Testament accessible to Hebrew speakers.
A Hebrew translation of the New Testament makes its stories, teachings and letters accessible to Hebrew speakers in their own language. Readers can engage with the text more directly, without relying on another language, helping them explore its meaning and message in a way that feels familiar and clear.
Offers a fresh perspective on familiar passages.
Reading the New Testament in Hebrew can offer a fresh perspective on familiar passages. Hebrew words and expressions may carry different associations from their Greek or English equivalents, inviting readers to notice details they might otherwise overlook. This can bring new depth to well-known stories and teachings, while reminding readers of the Jewish language and cultural setting in which the earliest Christian message took shape.
Highlights links with the Hebrew Scriptures.
Reading the New Testament in Hebrew can bring its connections with the Hebrew Scriptures into sharper focus. Shared words, themes and images may be easier to recognise, helping readers see how New Testament writers draw on earlier biblical passages and traditions. This perspective can enrich understanding of the text’s Jewish context and the relationship between the two parts of the Bible.
Helps explore the text’s Jewish context.
Reading the New Testament in Hebrew can help readers explore its Jewish context and notice connections with the language, traditions and Scriptures of the world in which Jesus and his earliest followers lived. Hebrew words and expressions may bring familiar themes into sharper focus, while reminding readers that the New Testament grew out of a deeply Jewish setting. For a fuller understanding, it can be helpful to read a Hebrew translation alongside the original Greek and a reliable commentary.
Supports Hebrew language learning.
Reading the New Testament in Hebrew can support language learning by giving learners engaging material to practise with. Familiar stories and themes provide useful context for building vocabulary, recognising sentence structures and improving reading comprehension. Comparing a Hebrew translation with an English version can also help learners notice differences in word choice and expression, while encouraging them to explore the language at their own pace.
Allows comparison between translations.
Reading the New Testament in Hebrew alongside English and other translations makes it easier to compare how different translators render the same passage. This can highlight alternative word choices, subtle differences in meaning and places where the original Greek may be understood in more than one way. Comparing versions can therefore give readers a fuller perspective on the text, while reminding them that every translation involves interpretation.
Hebrew translations can differ in wording and interpretation.
One drawback of reading the New Testament in Hebrew is that translations can differ in wording and interpretation. Translators may choose different Hebrew terms or phrasing to express the same Greek passage, which can affect its tone or emphasis. This means a reader may encounter variations between editions, particularly where the original wording is open to more than one interpretation. Comparing translations and consulting the Greek text or reliable study notes can help provide a fuller understanding.
The New Testament was originally written mainly in Greek, so Hebrew editions are translations.
One limitation of reading the New Testament in Hebrew is that its books were originally written mainly in Greek, so a Hebrew edition is a translation rather than the original text. As with any translation, choices about vocabulary and phrasing can affect how particular words or passages are understood, and some nuances of the Greek may not carry across exactly. For closer study, readers may find it helpful to compare a Hebrew edition with the Greek text or other translations.
Some editions may be difficult to read without knowledge of modern or biblical Hebrew.
One drawback of the New Testament in Hebrew is that some editions can be difficult to understand without a sound knowledge of modern or biblical Hebrew. Vocabulary, grammar and idioms may differ from the Hebrew readers encounter today, and a literal translation can feel unfamiliar or complex. As a result, readers may need a parallel translation, glossary or study notes to follow the meaning with confidence.