Biblical Hebrew Forum

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

Dear George,

>  > HH: No, I'm not, because they have to get their facts straight. So
>  > they have to go to reputable authorities in matters like this.
>
> Surely you jest!  Have you read any newspapers lately?  I would about as
> soon consult a ouiji board.

HH: It is the editorial policy at good news outlets (like CBS) to 
check facts. That is why people resign or get fired or transferred 
when it is discovered that they make serious errors of fact. I grant 
you this topic would probably not rise to that level in their view, 
but the Associated Press and CBS sources I cited had apparently 
consulted with experts. Secular sources do not make up such "facts." 
Some of the people mentioned by CBS include:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/02/22/entertainment/main601558.shtml

"Undoubtedly, Aramaic is in danger of disappearing," said Moshe 
Bar-Asher, president of the Academy of the Hebrew Language in 
Jerusalem.

Michael Sokoloff, a professor of Hebrew and Semitic languages at 
Bar-Ilan University near Tel Aviv, said it is believed that parts of 
the Gospels were originally written in Aramaic, but only Greek 
writings have been found.

                                        Yours,
                                        Harold Holmyard