Introduction to Aramaic: The Language of Ancient Spirituality

/ Jan

Aramaic: The Language of Ancient Spirituality

Aramaic is one of the world’s oldest continuously spoken languages, with origins dating back over 3,000 years. A Semitic language closely related to Hebrew and Arabic, Aramaic was a dominant lingua franca in the Near East during various periods of ancient history. It played a significant role in the spiritual, cultural, and historical evolution of the Middle East.

Most notably, Aramaic is believed to be the language spoken by Jesus Christ and his disciples, making it a language of profound significance for Christians. It was the everyday language of the Jewish people in Judea during the first century CE, as well as the language in which many biblical texts, prayers, and traditions were preserved. Texts like portions of the Old Testament (such as the books of Daniel and Ezra) and the Targums (Aramaic translations and interpretations of Hebrew scripture) were written in this language.

Aramaic’s beauty lies in its poetic and spiritual resonance. Even today, it is preserved in liturgies, prayers, and sacred texts of certain Christian denominations such as the Syriac Orthodox Church, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Maronite Church. The meditative and musical qualities of Aramaic prayers transport listeners to a deeply reflective and spiritual space, connecting them to ancient traditions.

Classical Aramaic Prayers

Aramaic is renowned for its timeless prayers, many of which are still chanted in Christian liturgies. Some of the most well-known include:

  1. The Lord’s Prayer (Abwoon d’bashmaya): This prayer is foundational to Christian worship. It begins with the evocative phrase, “Our Father, who art in heaven,” which, in Aramaic, emphasizes God as the nurturing source of all creation.Abwoon d’bashmaya, nethqadash shmakh…
  2. Psalm 23 (Marya roi la ekhsar – “The Lord is my shepherd”): This psalm is a poetic meditation on God’s guidance, comfort, and provision. In Aramaic, its resonance deepens through its flowing, rhythmic structure.
  3. The Beatitudes (from the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 5): The Aramaic phrasing of “Blessed are the meek” and “Blessed are the pure in heart” emphasizes the state of spiritual openness and inner purity.
  4. Mar Yaqub’s Hymns (Hymns of St. Jacob of Serugh): These ancient hymns in Syriac Aramaic praise divine mysteries and are still sung in traditional liturgies.

Introducing a New Aramaic Prayer

The following prayer, inspired by ancient Aramaic spiritual traditions, captures the essence of devotion and surrender to the Divine. Its meditative tone invites reflection and deep spiritual connection.

The Prayer Text in Aramaic:

“Ilana d’nahara, bashmeya d’khuleh d’nur, haw lan mawtah d’shlamta, men halqeyn mehtaw.”

Phonetic Pronunciation:

Ee-lah-nah d’nah-hah-rah, bash-may-yah d’khoo-leh d’noor, haw lahn mow-tah d’shlam-tah, men hal-qeyn meh-taw.

Translation into English:

“Tree of Light, in the heavens of all fire, grant us the peace of death, from the roots of sin.”

This prayer is a poetic blend of symbolic imagery and spiritual aspiration. The “Tree of Light” symbolizes divine wisdom, deeply rooted in the heavens and emanating transformative fire. The plea for “the peace of death” refers to liberation from ego and attachment, allowing for rebirth into a higher spiritual state.

Why Aramaic Was Likely the Language of Christ

  1. Historical Context: During the time of Jesus (circa 1st century CE), Aramaic was the common spoken language in Judea and Galilee. While Hebrew remained the liturgical language of the Jewish temple, Aramaic was the vernacular used for daily communication among the Jewish people.
  2. Evidence from Scripture: The New Testament contains direct transliterations of Aramaic phrases attributed to Jesus. Examples include:
    • “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”) – Matthew 27:46.
    • “Talitha koum” (“Little girl, I say to you, get up!”) – Mark 5:41.
    • “Abba” (“Father”) – Mark 14:36.
    These phrases suggest that Jesus frequently spoke Aramaic in his teachings and interactions.
  3. Cultural and Linguistic Evidence: Jewish synagogues in Jesus’ time used Targums—Aramaic translations of the Hebrew scriptures—indicating the widespread use of Aramaic in religious contexts. The Dead Sea Scrolls also contain Aramaic texts, further confirming its prevalence.
  4. Early Christian Tradition: The Peshitta, the Aramaic New Testament, reflects the linguistic traditions of early Christians in the Near East. These communities believed that Jesus spoke Aramaic, and they preserved his teachings in this sacred language.
  5. Archaeological Discoveries: Inscriptions and manuscripts from the first century CE, found in regions like Galilee and Judea, confirm that Aramaic was the dominant language of the time.

The Timeless Power of Aramaic in Spiritual Practice

Aramaic prayers resonate deeply because they carry a timeless energy. Their simplicity and poetic structure open a space for stillness and reflection. Meditating on prayers like the one above not only connects us to the Divine but also to a lineage of spiritual seekers who used these very words to seek inner transformation.

Incorporating Aramaic prayers into daily meditation invites us to experience their power. The language carries the vibrations of its ancient roots, offering a portal into a deeper spiritual connection. Whether recited, chanted, or simply contemplated, these prayers remind us of our eternal bond with the divine essence within and around us.

Word-by-Word Breakdown and Translation

  1. Ilana d’nahara
    • Ilana: Tree
    • d’nahara: Of light or illumination
    • Translation: “Tree of light” or “Illuminated tree.”
  2. Bashmeya d’khuleh d’nur
    • Bashmeya: In the heavens (or “in heaven”).
    • d’khuleh d’nur: Of all (things) of fire or light.
    • Translation: “In the heavens of all light” or “In the heavens of all fire.”
  3. Haw lan mawtah d’shlamta
    • Haw lan: Grant us or “Give to us.”
    • mawtah: Death or mortality (in some contexts, it can mean a state or condition).
    • d’shlamta: Of peace or wholeness.
    • Translation: “Grant us the death of peace” (possibly meaning a peaceful state or peaceful passing).
  4. Men halqeyn mehtaw
    • Men: From.
    • halqeyn: Portions or divisions (from the root “halqa,” meaning “portion” or “inheritance”).
    • mehtaw: Sin or error.
    • Translation: “From our portions of sin” or “From the parts of our sin.”

May the Tree of Light illuminate your path. Ilana d’nahara bashmeya d’khuleh d’nur… Shunyam Adhibhu

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