Eoghan
Puritan Board Senior
We were discussing the NT usage of Hebrew phrases and idioms and the tradition that Mathew was originally written in Hebrew. My friends proposition was that the New Testament was written at a time when Hebrew WAS the common language in Palestine. The NIV inaccurately translates "Hebrew" as Aramaic (there's a shock!).
Now I am willing to grant that Hebrew thought was dominant and yes hebrew idioms do not have the same force in Greek...
...but can I go as far as saying the textus recepticus was Hebrew?
The main thrust/fulcrum was the preservation of the Hebrew phrases and idioms - why are they preserved when a paraphrase of their meaning could be clearer?
Well that set me thinking. Israel has yet to turn to their Messiah. When they do they will need the NT in Hebrew. When the NT is translated "back" into Hebrew all these phrases and idioms will be there - preserved for thousands of years!
Q1. Anyway back to my original question was Mathew written in Hebrew? This seems to be the only NT doc which is well attested by church fathers as Hebrew originally.
Q2. What of the rest of the NT?
It worries me a little that we will get a "restored" New Testament based on a reconstruction of the Hebrew "original"! ( Q3. Was it not Wellhausen who "reconstructed" all sorts of annual enthronement ceremonies and "restored" our proper understanding of the OT?)
Now I am willing to grant that Hebrew thought was dominant and yes hebrew idioms do not have the same force in Greek...
...but can I go as far as saying the textus recepticus was Hebrew?
The main thrust/fulcrum was the preservation of the Hebrew phrases and idioms - why are they preserved when a paraphrase of their meaning could be clearer?
Well that set me thinking. Israel has yet to turn to their Messiah. When they do they will need the NT in Hebrew. When the NT is translated "back" into Hebrew all these phrases and idioms will be there - preserved for thousands of years!
Q1. Anyway back to my original question was Mathew written in Hebrew? This seems to be the only NT doc which is well attested by church fathers as Hebrew originally.
Q2. What of the rest of the NT?
It worries me a little that we will get a "restored" New Testament based on a reconstruction of the Hebrew "original"! ( Q3. Was it not Wellhausen who "reconstructed" all sorts of annual enthronement ceremonies and "restored" our proper understanding of the OT?)