Pronunciation:
Galilean Aramaic often softens consonants compared to Syriac.
Vowels are more open and flowing in Galilean Aramaic.
Word Forms:
Slight morphological differences—for instance, "Our Father" would sound more like "Abbaun" than "Abwoon."
Vocabulary Shifts:
Some words have minor dialectal variations in spelling or pronunciation.
The Lord’s Prayer – Galilean Aramaic Reconstruction
(How Jesus likely spoke it in daily conversation)
1. Abbaun d'bishmaya (Our Father who is in the heavens)
"Abbaun" is a more Galilean form of "Abwoon".
2. Nithqaddash shmakh (May Your name be sanctified)
3. Tethe malkuthakh (Let Your kingdom come)
4. Nehwe tzav'yanakh (Let Your will be done)
5. Aykana d'bishmaya ap b'ar'a (As it is in heaven, so also on earth)
6. Hav lan lachma d'sunqanan yaomana (Give us the bread we need today)
7. Washboq lan khattayain (Forgive us our sins/offenses)
Galilean favors "khattayain" for sins, rather than the more abstract "khawbayn" (debts) in Syriac.
8. Aykana d'ap khnan shbaqan l'khayyabayn (As we forgive those who sin against us)
9. W'la ta'alun l'nesyuna (And do not let us enter into trial)
Galilean uses "ta'alun" instead of the Syriac "ta'lan."
10. Ela patzan min bisha (But rescue us from the evil one)
11. Amen.
Pronunciation Guide (Simplified)
Abbaun d'bishmaya (AH-bah-oon duh-bih-SHMAH-yah)
Nithqaddash shmakh (neeth-KAHD-dahsh shmaakh)
Tethe malkuthakh (TEH-theh mahl-KOO-thakh)
Nehwe tzav'yanakh (NEH-weh tzahv-YAH-nakh)
Aykana d'bishmaya ap b'ar'a (EYE-kah-nah duh-bih-SHMAH-yah ahp bahr-AH)
Hav lan lachma d'sunqanan yaomana (hahv lahn LAHK-mah duh-soon-KAH-nahn yah-oh-MAH-nah)
Washboq lan khattayain (wahsh-BOHK lahn khaht-tah-YAH-een)
Aykana d'ap khnan shbaqan l'khayyabayn (eye-KAH-nah dah ahf khnahn shbah-KAHN l'khah-yah-BAH-een)
W'la ta'alun l'nesyuna (wuh-lah tah-ah-LOON l'neh-soo-YAH-nah)
Ela patzan min bisha (eh-LAH paht-ZAHN meen BEE-shah)
Notable Differences from Syriac Peshitta:
"Abbaun" vs. "Abwoon" – Galilean tends toward "Abba" for father, which appears in Jesus' direct prayers (e.g., Mark 14:36).
"Khattayain" vs. "Khawbayn" – In Galilean Aramaic, Jesus likely said "sins" more directly than the later Syriac word "debts."
Vowel shifts – Galilean pronunciations tend to sound softer and more melodic.
Would Jesus' Words Sound Different?
Yes, slightly. Imagine someone from Texas compared to someone from New York—both speak English, but with regional differences. Jesus' Galilean Aramaic was a Western dialect with distinct sounds, but the meaning remains consistent with the Peshitta text.
Would you like me to explain any part of the cultural or historical context surrounding Jesus' use of this prayer?