Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Harold R. Holmyard III" <hholmyard AT ont.com>]

Dear Sergio,

The very first appearance of the name "Miriam" in the OT is pronounced
Miryam, and it is pronounced that way through the OT. In the NT the Greek
"Mary" is pronounced "Maria." "Samuel" seems to be pronounced "Semuel"
throughout the OT.

                                Yours,
                                Harold Holmyard

>I studied a little Hebrew at University and I remember the teacher telling
>us that the Hebrew name for Mary was pronounced "Maryam" in biblical times
>(both for Moses' sister and Jesus' mother) and "Miryam" in later Hebrew.
>Also Samuel was pronounced "Samuel" in those times and "Semuel" in later
>Hebrew.
>I admit I'm not sure to remember this accurately. I'd like to ask you if
>this is so, and also which other examples of important characters from the
>Bible you could mention.