The notion that first-century Jews in the land of Israel predominantly spoke
Aramaic was widespread from the middle of the last century until the middle
of this century -- and continues to circulate -- in academic and popular
literature... Since the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, however,
scholarly opinion has been migrating to a position which recognizes that
most first-century Jews in the land of Israel were polyglots who spoke
Aramaic, Hebrew and Greek.
Contrary to what one might expect, however, the book of Hebrews is written
in the purest Greek of any book in the New Testament.
Peter Kirk
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ian goldsmith [mailto:iangoldsmith1969 AT yahoo.co.uk]
> Sent: 15 November 2001 11:40
> To: Biblical Hebrew
> Subject: Re: The Gospels being in Hebrew originally
>
<snip>
>
> Aramaic and Greek seem to have been the language of
> the day. Perhaps Jesus preached in both, perhaps when
> quoting OT he quoted in Hebrew, but as far as I know
> the quotes of the OT that he used match the
> LXX/septuagint better, perhaps someone could clarify
> that point.
>
> It's possible, but it doesn't really matter, does it?
> Certainly at least one letter in the NT was written to
> the Hebrews and if there was any candidate for a
> Hebrew text perhaps it would be here?
>
> Perhaps if I've overlooked something someone would be
> kind enough to fill in.
>
> Many thanks
> Ian.
>
> --- "Harry W. Jones" <hjbluebird AT aol.com> wrote: > To
> All
> >
> > Does anyone knew if the Gospels were originally
> > written
> > in Hebrew and translated into Greek by the apostles?
> >
> > Harry Jones
> >