ARAMAIC WORD STUDY – ELI ELI LAMA SABACHTHANI Aleph Yod Lamed Aleph Yod Lamed Lamed Mem Nun Aleph Shin Beth Qop Taw Nun Yod
Matthew 27:46: “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying ‘Eli, Eli Lama Sabachthani?’ that is My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
This being Easter Week, I would like to share with you something interesting in the Easter story that many Christians find difficult to understand. There is really not much about the death and resurrection of Christ that has not been examined, debated, preached and chewed over by scholars so I am resurrecting one of my old studies on a topic which has had some new light shed on it in recent years in honor of this weekend. I admit my conclusions are controversial so I present the following for your examination and I will let you decided for yourself if this has any merit.
This passage in Matthew has been debated for 2,000 years and everyone seems to have their own explanation as to what Jesus means when he said Eli Eli Lama Sabachthani or My God My God why hast thou forsaken me.
It is curious that Matthew transliterated this into the Greek as the Hebrew Eli and Mark transliterated this as Aramaic Eloi. Lama is Hebrew, Lema is Aramaic and is shown as that in both Gospels in the Greek, but translators will render it as lama (Hebrew) for whatever reason. Secondly, why did they transliterate (make a word sound the same in another language) into Greek at all, why not just write out in Greek my God my God why hast thou forsaken me? As for the word Sabachthani well, we are not sure, it appears to be from the Aramaic word sbq which means to forsake or abandon for a purpose. The Aramaic word for just simply to abandon to forsake because it is unwanted is taatani. However, it can be argued that the root word is really shwaq which means to be kept, spared or allowed or to fulfill an end. If Jesus had really meant that God had abandoned Him or forgot Him He would have used the word taatani (forsake) or nashatani (forget).
Something even more curious is that the passage suggests that Jesus is quoting Psalms 22:1 yet in Hebrew that phrase is eli, eli lama ‘azabethni not sabachthani. However the Jewish Targum (Aramaic translation of the Hebrew Bible) does use the Aramaic word sbq in Psalms 22:1, which is probably why the scribes added the footnote which being interpreted means…. This is in accordance with the Eastern Church which teaches that the scribes who wrote this out in Greek really did not understand what the phrase really meant, so they merely transliterated it into the Greek rather than translate it and then put in a short commentary or their own opinion and indicated this by the words that is to say… In other words, they were not sure they had correctly quoted Jesus so they assumed he was speaking Psalms 22:1 and put in a little commentary to offer their opinion as to what he really said.
Indeed Jesus could have been misquoted from scribes or witnesses at the crucifixion if they were from Judea, for the Judeans spoke a Southern dialect of Aramaic but Jesus and his disciples were from the Northern part of Israel, Galilee, where they spoke a Northern dialect of Aramaic. So Jesus would have spoken with a Northern accent and sometimes what he said might not be clear to the people speaking a Southern dialect. This is probably why some thought he was calling for Elijah. My belief that all Scripture is the inspired Word of God makes me a little uncomfortable suggesting that the Bible misquoted Jesus. If the Bible teaches Jesus said Sabachthani, then that is what He said, no misquotation.
As I have said, Jesus spoke a Northern dialect of Aramaic. My studies have been in the middle dialect of Aramaic, more commonly known as the Jewish Babylonian Aramaic or Talmudic Aramaic. This is closely related to the Eastern Aramaic like the Mandaic and the Eastern Syriac of the Assyrian Church. I undertook this study so I could read the Talmud in the original Aramaic. So I claim no expertise on the Old Galilean or Northern dialect of Aramaic. However, from my research into the Old Galilean, I find that the study of the Old Galilean is a relatively new discovery. It was felt that the Northern dialect of Aramaic or the Old Galilean dialect was a dead language, however, linguist has found a tribe in Northern Iraq that still speaks this dialect and scholars from Oxford have descended upon these people to learn some of the finer points of this dialect.
This now brings us to the word Eli. In the Southern dialect, this would mean my God. However, in the Northern dialect, which is more colloquial, the word el would be used for more than just the word god, it was sometimes used in a descriptive sense. A god is someone or something that has control over you. People are, for instance, controlled by their hearts desires. Thus Jesus could have been saying, “my heart.” In the Semitic languages when a word is repeated twice it is done to show emphasis. Hence in the Old Galilean when Jesus said Eli Eli he could have been saying “listen to my heart.” The word lama (Hebrew) or lema (Aramaic) generally is used as an interrogative, but this is not necessarily set in stone. To use lema as a question, why am I forsaken or why have I been kept suggest that Jesus did not understand what was happening to Him. That is not my Jesus, He is God, and He is all-knowing. In that context we could properly and linguistically render this not as a question but as a declaration, this is why. In the Old Galilean lema Sabachthani means, this is why I have been kept or this is my destiny. In fact, scholars have discovered this phrase still in use in that tribe that still uses the Old Galilean. They use it in the context of this is my destiny. In other words, Jesus was not speaking to God but to the people who were mourning his death, those who could understand his dialect and in His last breath what He could have been saying is, “Listen to my heart, this is my destiny.” Jesus was telling those who were in sorrow over his death, “Listen to my heart, this is why I came to earth in the first place, this is my purpose, to die for you.”
The jury is still out on this one. I am sure there are some scholars who would throw salt in the air at my conclusion and I respect that. But if I have given you something to at least awaken you to re-examine the last words of Jesus and meditate on them this Easter, then I am glad to suffer the slings and arrows of critics. So let me offer this Easter message to you from just one of many understandings of the words from the lips of Jesus in His adopted native language of the Old Galilean Aramaic, Eloi Eloi Lema Sabachthani which being interpreted means, “Listen to my heart, this is my destiny This is why I came to earth in human form and that is to die to give you eternal life.”
Wonderful explanation brother
There are 2 other instances where the verb sh. b. k is used in Scripture. In Daniel 4:15 it reads “leave” and likewise in Ezra 6:7.
Like the two disciples on the road to Emmaus: ” did not our hearts burn within us as He explained the Scriptures to us?” Thankyou, this is truly beautiful.
Following your logic it seems very credible that my Jesus, right to His final breath, would be concerned to take His last opportunity to get across to anyone who would be within earshot that He came to die to reconcile man to God. It has also seemed to me a surprise that Jesus might have a need to tell His Father His task was finished so the conclusion you give appears more likely.
This makes so much sense to me, the way you’ve explained it! I love the way you take us back to the time and place of the original speakers and hearers to unpack it for us.
Wonderful explanation. George M. Lamsa translates it as “My God, My God, for this I was spared! (This was my destiny.) in his “Holy Bible: From the Ancient Eastern Text”.
Finally!!! I believe your research and study lead you to the only reasonable conclusion. It is one taught to me years ago by an elderly African-american pastor who studied the word of God and came to the same understanding. Also, I am part of a Hebraic study based congregation and marvel at the unfolding of God’s word that occurs when it is studied in light of the cultural context. Needless to say I am thoroughly enjoying your Daily Hebrew Studies. Thank you for answering “the call” and blessing us in the process.
Thank you for your diligence and care. This teaching is much appreciated. I see your heart and connect with the heart of God through the words you share.
This is literally the most beautiful thing I have ever heard.
that absolutely makes more sense given HIS knowledge of HIS purpose
What a beautiful unearthing! What a Savior King! What a Servant King! How do I even express my heart’s gratitude for all that Jesus did on the cross? There are no words. Your ability to unwrap the Scriptures has been so helpful shedding light into the original heart + message of our Father. Thank you! It’s been a joy! And I eagerly await more of the revelation you are feasting on. Thank you again!
Love this!!!
I’ve heard and do believe he said that because Jesus’s spirit was so in tune with the Fathers and God can’t look on sin and Jesus became sin on the cross and the purchase price for our souls and took our place. Taking on our sin and giving us his righteousness. That is why we are called the righteousness of God. That to me is the only reason we can enter his throne room into the throne of grace. Because of being transformed into his likeness by his suffering for us.
I love your comment about the heart. For 12 years now I have been on a search for the heart of God and I find when I translate according to my understanding of God’s heart, I come up with some interesting takes on many passages of Scripture. You see, like it or not, one;’s personal bias cannot help but be reflected in one’s translations. The more I begin to uderstand God’s heart, the many of my translations from years ago tend to become modified.
I am on this same journey also.
I love this explanation. It makes perfect sense to me. Thank you so much for studying and sharing.
Awesome perspective! Thank you!!!!
Great word!!!
Thank you for your comments. Unfortunately, I’m not a student of the Greek or Aramaic languages, however, I do listen to the language of the heart
Like you, I don’t think Jesus was feeling forsaken. Perhaps he was repeating the encouraging words that Moses and Elijah gave him at the transfiguration experience.
Regardless of the dialect, exact words, translations or misunderstandings…what you have summarized at the end is the absolute truth. This is what He came to do, because He WANTED us…each of us..to be with Him
and His (our) Father forever.
Bless you for reminding us of the central focus of His heart!
Thank you for this article- It’s Easter weekend. (Western, not Orthodox) here, and just yesterday, Good Friday, I was contemplating these words, and searching for the Aramaic and the translation, and came upon your site addressing my very concerns. This interpretation makes the most sense, because,as you pointed out, the Aramaic words for “forsaken” are very different. How I wish I’d grown up with this translation of His last moments on the cross- it might’ve changed everything for me. Its changed much for me right now. I have much to think about.
I like that interpretation
All Praise to God / Yeshua, the all knowing.
Awesome explanation, God would not forsake Hkis Son.