The Aramaic Peshitta is the authoritative Bible for Syriac-speaking Christians and is traditionally believed to have been written in the early centuries of Christianity. While its exact origins are debated, early church traditions and linguistic evidence suggest that the New Testament was either written in Aramaic or translated very early from Hebrew or Greek sources.
1. Origins of the Aramaic Peshitta
A. The Peshitta Old Testament
The Peshitta Tanakh (Old Testament) is one of the earliest translations of the Hebrew Bible, believed to have been completed by Jewish scholars before the time of Christ.
It closely follows the Masoretic Hebrew text, showing that Aramaic-speaking Jewish communities relied on it for scriptural study.
Many Dead Sea Scrolls and Targums (Aramaic paraphrases of the Hebrew Bible) share linguistic similarities with the Peshitta, indicating a deep connection with Jewish traditions.
B. The Peshitta New Testament
Believed to have been compiled in the 2nd century AD (some traditions say late 1st century).
Unlike later Greek New Testament manuscripts, the earliest Peshitta manuscripts lack:
❌ 2 Peter
❌ 2 John & 3 John
❌ Jude
❌ Revelation
These books were added much later to the Syriac canon, showing that the early Aramaic-speaking Christians may have had a different perspective on which texts were authoritative.
The Syriac Orthodox Church and the Church of the East continue to use the Peshitta as their primary Biblical text.
2. Linguistic Connections: Aramaic Words of Yeshua
The Peshitta preserves many linguistic features that match the spoken Aramaic of Yeshua better than the later Greek texts.
A. Yeshua and His Apostles Spoke Aramaic
The language of Yeshua’s time was Galilean Aramaic, and His teachings were originally delivered in this language.
Many Aramaic words and phrases are preserved in the Greek Gospels, indicating that the original speech was not in Greek.
Examples of Aramaic phrases in the Gospels:
✅ Talitha koum – “Little girl, arise!” (Mark 5:41)
✅ Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani? – “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46)
✅ Abba, Father – “Father” (Mark 14:36)
✅ Kepha (Kefa) – “Peter” (John 1:42)
B. Why the Peshitta Retains Aramaic Accuracy
1️⃣ Aramaic Wordplay & Poetic Structure
Many puns, poetic structures, and idioms make sense in Aramaic, but seem awkward in Greek.
Example: Matthew 19:24 (Camel vs. Rope)
Greek: “It is easier for a camel (kamelos) to pass through the eye of a needle.”
Aramaic: The word for “camel” (gamla) can also mean “rope”, making it a more logical metaphor.
2️⃣ Better Theological Clarity
Matthew 6:9 (Lord’s Prayer)
Greek: “Our Father who is in the heavens” (τοῖς οὐρανοῖς – plural)
Peshitta Aramaic: "Abwoon d’bashmaya" (אܒܘܢ ܕܒܫܡܝܐ) – Singular, emphasizing the oneness of God, reflecting Jewish monotheism.
3️⃣ Hebrew & Aramaic Parallels in Prophecies
Many Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament make better sense when understood in Hebrew and Aramaic rather than Greek.
Example: Isaiah 7:14 ("Alma" vs. "Parthenos")
Hebrew/Aramaic: “A young woman (almah) shall conceive…”
Greek Septuagint: Translates almah as "parthenos" (virgin), which shifts the meaning slightly.
3. Historical Manuscript Evidence
Several early church writers referenced the Aramaic origins of the New Testament:
✅ Papias of Hierapolis (c. 100 AD) – Wrote that Matthew compiled his Gospel “in the Hebrew dialect”, which many believe refers to Aramaic or Hebrew.
✅ Eusebius (c. 4th century) – Preserved Papias’ statement that Matthew’s Gospel was originally written in Hebrew/Aramaic.
✅ Jerome (4th–5th century AD) – Stated that he saw the Hebrew Gospel of Matthew among the Jewish Christians of Syria.
✅ Early Syriac Manuscripts – The Old Syriac Gospels (Sinaitic & Curetonian manuscripts), dating to 4th–5th century, suggest an early Aramaic-speaking Christian tradition.
4. Theological Differences Between the Peshitta and Greek Christianity
Peshitta (Aramaic Christianity) Greek-based Christianity
Preserves Semitic idioms Some Aramaic phrases lost in translation
Retains Jewish monotheism Later influenced by Greek philosophy
Emphasizes oneness of God Developed Trinitarian doctrine
Used by Eastern churches Used by Western churches
Based on Apostolic traditions in Syria & Mesopotamia Became dominant through Roman Catholic influence
5. The Apostolic Origins of the Aramaic Church
The first Aramaic-speaking Christians were taught directly by the Apostles and their disciples:
A. Apostles and Aramaic-Speaking Churches
✅ Thomas (Toma) – Preached in Syria, Persia, and India, where Aramaic-speaking Christian communities still exist today.
✅ Thaddeus (Addai) – According to the Doctrine of Addai, he was sent to Edessa (modern-day Şanlıurfa, Turkey) to establish the church there.
✅ Mari – Spread the Gospel to Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq).
B. The Doctrine of Addai
An early Syriac Christian text (c. 3rd century AD) recording how Addai (Thaddeus) was sent by Thomas to establish the church in Edessa.
This confirms that the early Aramaic church was rooted in Apostolic teaching, rather than later Greek or Latin traditions.
Conclusion: The Peshitta as the True Voice of the Apostles?
✅ Aramaic was the language of Yeshua and His disciples.
✅ The Peshitta preserves many Hebraic and Aramaic expressions that are lost in Greek translations.
✅ Early church traditions affirm that at least some parts of the New Testament were originally in Aramaic or Hebrew.
The Peshitta remains a testament to the original Semitic roots of the faith, preserving the teachings of Yeshua and His apostles in their native language.