Jesus's name in Aramaic is ܝܫܘܥ (pronounced Yeshuʿ or Yishoʿ), which corresponds to the Hebrew script ישוע. This name is deeply rooted in the Aramaic language, which was commonly spoken in Judea during the 1st century CE.
Understanding the Aramaic Name
The Aramaic name for Jesus, ܝܫܘܥ, carries significant historical and linguistic weight. It is the direct Aramaic equivalent of the Hebrew name Yeshua (ישוע), which is a shortened form of Yehoshua (יהושע), meaning "Yahweh saves" or "The Lord is salvation."
The pronunciation of this name varies slightly among different Aramaic-speaking Christian traditions:
| Tradition | Aramaic Script | Hebrew Script Equivalent | Pronunciation | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Aramaic | ܝܫܘܥ | ישוע | Includes the ʿayin | |
| Western Syriac | ܝܫܘܥ | ישוע | Yeshuʿ | Retains the ʿayin |
| Eastern Syriac | ܝܫܘܥ | ישוע | Yishoʿ | Retains the ʿayin |
Both the Western and Eastern Syriac Christian traditions use the Aramaic name ܝܫܘܥ, including the essential sound of the ʿayin (ܥ), a pharyngeal fricative or glottal stop that is characteristic of Semitic languages. This sound is often transliterated as an apostrophe or 'ʿ'.
Historical and Religious Context
The use of the name ܝܫܘܥ in Aramaic reflects the linguistic environment in which Jesus lived and preached. Aramaic was the lingua franca of the region, and many of Jesus's original teachings and sayings, as recorded in the Gospels, contain Aramaic words and phrases (e.g., talitha koum, Ephphatha, Abba, Eloi Eloi lama sabachthani).
The preservation of this specific Aramaic name within various Christian traditions, particularly the Syriac Churches, underscores their historical connection to the early Christian communities that spoke Aramaic. It highlights the authenticity of the name as it would have been commonly used by Jesus's contemporaries.
