It Wasn't In Greek
It Wasn't In Greek
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The New Testament was not first written in Greek, as I believed before the year 1983, but the years 2007 and forward is what made the case that at least most (over 20) of the Books were first penned in Hebraic tongues (Ashurit Styled Letters, which both Hebrew and Aramaic used back then), and the Heavenly Son & Co. used the Aramaic Dialect (the traitor Judas' Aramaic dialect was slightly different, but close enough for the team to understand each other.)
Excerpt from the Preface of the “Hebraic Roots Version” Bible (v. 2009), p. XI
During the first century, Hebrew remained the language of the Jews living in Judah, and to a lesser extent, in Galilee. Aramaic remained a secondary language and the language of commerce. Jews at this time did not speak Greek. In fact one tradition had it, that it was better to feed one's children swine, than to teach them the Greek language.
It was only with the permission of authorities, that a young official could learn Greek, and then, solely for the purpose of political discourse on the National level. The Greek language was completely inaccessible, and undesirable, to the vast majority of Jews in Israel in the 1st century.{21}
Any gauge of Greek language outside of Israel cannot, nor can any evidence hundreds of years removed from the 1st century, alter the fact that the Jews of Israel in the 1st century did not know Greek.
The Testimony of Josephus
The first century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus (37-c.100 C.E.) testifies to the fact that Hebrew was the language of first century Jews. Moreover, he testifies that Hebrew, and not Greek, was the language of his place and time. Josephus gives us the only first hand account of the destruction of the Temple in 70 C.E. According to Josephus, the Romans had to have him, translate the call to the Jews to surrender, into "their own language".{22}
Josephus gives us a point-blank statement regarding the language of his people during his time:
I have also taken a great deal of pains to obtain the learning of the Greeks, and to understand the elements of the Greek language. Although, I have so long accustomed myself to speak our own language, that I cannot pronounce Greek with sufficient exactness: for our nation, does not encourage those that learn the languages of many nations.{23}
Thus, Josephus makes it clear, that first century Jews could not even speak or understand Greek, but spoke "their own language."
{21} [CRH: Not scriptable for this blog/post]
{22} Josephus: Wars 5:9:2
{23} Josephus: Antiquities. 20:11:2. Josephus went on to express, "there have yet hardly been so many as two or three that have succeeded therein: who were immediately well rewarded for their pains."
Excerpt from the Preface of the “Hebraic Roots Version” Bible (v. 2009), p. XI
Greek Copies were "additionally" made from the Semitic Language(s), which were needed for the Western World.
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