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The Language of Jesus: Introducing Aramaic
"The Language of Introducing Aramaic" is a brief introduction to general facts about the Aramaic language. Bible scholars have determined that Aramaic was the language spoken by Jesus Christ. This book lists the evidence from the Bible, archeology and other ancient records that have led them to this conclusion. Examining the words of Jesus in his native language gives us a deeper understanding of the Messiah and his message. "The Language of Introducing Aramaic" serves an important introduction to Aramaic biblical studies and to the last surviving native speakers of the Aramaic language, the Assyrian Christians of Mesopotamia.
124 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 9, 2023
interesting!
For the most part this book was very informative and intriguing, and I feel like there is a lot to learn! There was a little section near the end, however, that got a little preachy and personal which felt like it was taking away from the main topic. But otherwise, pretty cool stuff!
For the most part this book was very informative and intriguing, and I feel like there is a lot to learn! There was a little section near the end, however, that got a little preachy and personal which felt like it was taking away from the main topic. But otherwise, pretty cool stuff!
January 16, 2022
2 stars [Metalanguage]
The title is misleading. Granted, the majority is linguistic in nature (although with no Aramaic script and few sources); Missick, however, diverts 30 pages or so to theology. A better title might have been Jesus Spoke Aramaic! [subtitle:] Plus a Confused Foray into the Theology of "Abba".
This work gets no more than two stars from me, which is counterintuitive: I agree with most of Missick's conclusions, and am on his side of the Aramaic/Hebrew divide. However, the numerous errors of spelling, grammar and accuracy (like when he misreferenced Aramaic verses of Ezra on p9) are a huge detraction. 2nd is a paucity of sourcing (there are a few references, and then sometimes to entire works without page numbers). 3rd is a breathless, unprofessional style.
Now, I am not so elitist as to say that a book must be academic to be of worth. However, Missick's use of CAPS and occasional exclamation points (like when he vehemently called someone else's position "absurd!") get distracting. Finally, and most importantly, his points are sometimes specious--such as calling an attack or disparagement of the Aramaic language an attack or insult to Jesus Christ himself, and defending the translation "all fatherhood" in Eph 3:14, instead of "every family," in spite of such eminent translations as the NET--or hypocritical, such as condemning Hebraicists for holding to opinions of Rabbis centuries after Christ, yet taking the word of Eusebius (also centuries after Christ) as one piece of triumphant evidence that Aramaic was spoken in the 1st century.
Missick gets back to linguistics in the final few pages of the book, and gives some informative details about the modern Assyrian and Chaldean churches, raising a low 2 stars to a higher 2 stars for the book.
My recommendation: scan the first 66 pages, skip pages 67-92, and read pages 93-107 normally.
The title is misleading. Granted, the majority is linguistic in nature (although with no Aramaic script and few sources); Missick, however, diverts 30 pages or so to theology. A better title might have been Jesus Spoke Aramaic! [subtitle:] Plus a Confused Foray into the Theology of "Abba".
This work gets no more than two stars from me, which is counterintuitive: I agree with most of Missick's conclusions, and am on his side of the Aramaic/Hebrew divide. However, the numerous errors of spelling, grammar and accuracy (like when he misreferenced Aramaic verses of Ezra on p9) are a huge detraction. 2nd is a paucity of sourcing (there are a few references, and then sometimes to entire works without page numbers). 3rd is a breathless, unprofessional style.
Now, I am not so elitist as to say that a book must be academic to be of worth. However, Missick's use of CAPS and occasional exclamation points (like when he vehemently called someone else's position "absurd!") get distracting. Finally, and most importantly, his points are sometimes specious--such as calling an attack or disparagement of the Aramaic language an attack or insult to Jesus Christ himself, and defending the translation "all fatherhood" in Eph 3:14, instead of "every family," in spite of such eminent translations as the NET--or hypocritical, such as condemning Hebraicists for holding to opinions of Rabbis centuries after Christ, yet taking the word of Eusebius (also centuries after Christ) as one piece of triumphant evidence that Aramaic was spoken in the 1st century.
Missick gets back to linguistics in the final few pages of the book, and gives some informative details about the modern Assyrian and Chaldean churches, raising a low 2 stars to a higher 2 stars for the book.
My recommendation: scan the first 66 pages, skip pages 67-92, and read pages 93-107 normally.
April 16, 2025
There was too little aramaic to connect me to any people. An authoritative wave from christian theory and odd factoids made this more of a bible study. The writer has a lot of presence but gatekeeps the rhythm and padding of the words. So this was not what I wanted.
August 13, 2023
A beginner's guide to the language that Jesus spoke. The author makes some valid points to arrive at his conclusion that Aramaic was the mother of Jesus...
January 21, 2018
Very informative book and I discuss it on my podcast Jesus in Books: Jesus in Books podcast: http://jesusinbooks.com/angry-jesus-a...
March 31, 2016
Aramaic?
This ebook was not what I was looking for about the Aramaic language. This is more of a synopsis of the language and not anything about the language itself.
This ebook was not what I was looking for about the Aramaic language. This is more of a synopsis of the language and not anything about the language itself.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews