Aramaic, a Semitic variety, was common in the Middle East about two thousand years ago.

In general, the Arameans in ancient times was a group of West Semitic tribes leading a nomadic lifestyle in the territory corresponding to modern Syria. And although the Arameans did not form a single state, their language spread over an ever larger area. It was on it that the population of Persia, Mesopotamia and Judea spoke, wrote and traded.

Jesus' contemporaries read sermons, prayers, including Our Father, in the Aramaic language. After the Persian Empire was destroyed by Alexander the Great, despite the continued wide spread, the status of the official Aramaic language was lost. During this period, it was divided into Western and Eastern dialects.

History

According to chronology, there are three periods of the development of the Aramaic languages:

• Old Aramaic (XII century BC - II century AD).
• Middle Aramaic (2nd century AD - 1200).
• Novoarameyskiy (since 1200).

Old Aramaic period

The first to belong to the Old Aramaic period is the ancient Aramaic language, which remained on the monuments of the 9th-7th centuries BC. e. In the VII-VI centuries BC. e. this language already had the status of a lingua franca in the New Babylonian and New Assyrian powers, at the same time the Old Aramaic writing system was formed, which arose on the basis of the Phoenician writing. In the VI-IV centuries BC. e. the official language that existed in the Persian Empire is called Imperial Aramaic. Monuments with him are found throughout the Middle East from Afghanistan to Egypt, in particular, some of them are contained in the papyrus archive from Elephantine.

Further development of the language has already received the name biblical: it is in it that the chapters "Daniel" and "Ezra" of the Old Testament are written.

Middle Aramaic period

II century n. e. is marked by the birth of new literary Middle Aramaic languages, based on the then existing spoken languages. They flourished during the 1st-7th centuries, after which, in connection with the Arab conquest, there was a widespread displacement of the Aramaic languages ​​by Arabic. At this time, the division of languages ​​into eastern and western groups, which appeared, probably back in the Old Aramaic period, is intensifying.

The most famous of the eastern group were the Aramaic languages ​​spoken in Mesopotamia and Syria, namely:

• classic Syriac;
• the Cavilonian Judeo-Aramaic, in which the Babylonian "Talmud" was written, and also the Old Testament was translated into the Targums;
• classic Mandean, in which members of the Mandean community spoke and conducted liturgical services.

The western group of Aramaic languages ​​was used primarily in the Levant. It included:

• Jewish Aramaic, popular in the early Byzantine era;
• Christian, due to the existence of translations of Christian literature of the early Byzantine period from the Greek language;
• Samaritan, religious books of the Samaritan community are written in it.

The alphabet of all Middle Aramaic languages ​​has 22 characters. Babylonian Judeo-Aramaic used the so-called square script, which arose from Old Aramaic italics. Syrian and Manda used their own graphic signs. Christian Aramaic used Western Syrian script, and Samaritan Aramaic used Paleo-Hebrew italics.

The invasion of the Arabs gives rise to the decline of the Aramaic language, but nevertheless, during the entire Middle Ages, it remains in use in many territories of Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.

New Aramaic languages

As well as Middle Aramaic, New Aramaic languages ​​are usually distinguished according to linguistic criteria into western and eastern groups.

Representatives of the Western group are three dialects of the same language (Western New Aramaic), which are in use in three Syrian villages (Maalula, Baha and Jubbadin), which, however, are often considered as three independent languages.

The eastern group includes many languages, the exact number of which has not been established. They are usually divided into subgroups:

Aramaic today

Today, according to existing estimates, the number of native speakers using it in everyday life does not exceed 200 thousand people. This is a small number of residents of Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Syria, Armenia and Georgia. Also in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon there are Christian communities conducting services and saying prayers in Aramaic. In particular, right up to the present day, rabbinic literature continues to be published in the Hebrew dialect of the Aramaic language, which since the Middle Ages has already constituted an extensive collection. For example, halachic works are predominantly written in this language. And since this literature is addressed to a relatively small circle of people with the appropriate education, the Aramaic language has a fairly high social status in the Orthodox Jewish communities.

Aramaic

I. The first time the Aramaic language is used in the Bible is in Genesis 31:47, where Laban names a stone pile in Aramaic, while Jacob gives it a Hebrew name. It is difficult to establish exactly how ancient the Aramaic language is. Albright considers it established that this language originated from one of the West Semitic dialects, which was spoken in northwestern Mesopotamia at the beginning of the 2nd millennium BC. Obviously, traces of this dialect are visible in the messages from the archive →. According to Albright, this dialect was spoken by the Jewish patriarchs before their resettlement to Palestine. There they adopted the local Canaanite dialect. But this statement raises some doubts. One of the earliest Aramaic inscriptions, the Kilammu inscription, is believed to date back to the 2nd half of the 9th century BC. It was found at Zinjirli along with later inscriptions, probably from the 8th century BC. Science also has an inscription of Zakir dating back to the beginning of the 8th century BC. (→, III). The ancient Aramaic language of this inscription still has much in common with Canaanite. The influence of Canaanite as well as Akkadian languages ​​is especially great in the Kilammu inscription, so that some researchers refuse to admit that this text was written in Aramaic.

II. The Aramaic language, previously (on the basis of Dan 2: 4) mistakenly considered Chaldean, became widespread (2 Kings 18:26) and eventually, displacing Hebrew, became spoken, having become the language of the Jewish people by the time of Jesus. The written Hebrew language, in which most of the OT was written, was no longer used as a spoken language. As among the Assyrians and Babylonians - Akkadian, and later in the Roman Empire - Greek, so in the Persian kingdom - Aramaic became the language of official documents and interethnic communication (see also the Book of Ezra). The Jews of the diaspora who lived in Egypt also spoke Aramaic. This is found in Jewish documents on papyrus dating back to the 5th and 4th centuries BC, found at Elephantine (in Upper Egypt). In the period after the Babylonian captivity, the Hebrew language could only be heard in synagogues when reading Scripture. At the same time, the translator presented the read text in a free translation into the Aramaic language. Since such an exposition was too free, then subsequently there was a need for written translation. In Aramaic it was called → (= "translation"). Over time, the Aramaic language was supplanted by Arabic.

III. Aramaic, along with Canaanite and Hebrew, belongs to the northwestern Semitic languages, and in turn is subdivided into western and eastern Aramaic. Written monuments in Western Aramaic include:
1) Ancient Aramaic inscriptions: inscriptions from Zinjirli together with the inscriptions of Kilammu and Zakir, Nabatean inscriptions (1st century BC - 1st century AD), inscriptions from Palmyra (1st century BC - 3rd century AD), Sinai inscriptions (I -IV centuries A.D.);
2) Biblical Aramaic: two words in Gen. 31:47 (see I); Jer 10:11 Dan 2: 4 - Dan 7:28; Ride 4: 8 - Ride 6:18; Ride 7: 12-26;
3) Aramaic language of Jewish papyri and other documents from Egypt (5th and 4th centuries BC);
4) Aramaic language of the Jewish Targums (translations), as well as the Jerusalem and Palestinian Talmuds (II-V centuries AD);
5) Samaritan - the language of translation of the Samaritan Pentateuch (used as a purely lit. up to the Middle Ages, that is, and after there were no speakers of this language;
6) The Christian-Palestinian Aramaic language of the Melkite Christians who lived in Palestine (V-VIII centuries AD);
7) Novoarameyskiy, which is still spoken in a small area in the Anti-Lebanon mountains.

IV. East Aramaic includes:
1) Judeo-Aramaic Babylonian Talmud (IV-VI centuries A.D.);
2) Mandean - the language of the pagan Gnostics from the Mandean sect (from the 4th century AD);
3) Syriac is the written language of the Syrian Church in northern Syria and Mesopotamia in the 3rd-14th centuries. It originated from the dialect of Edessa, the oldest inscriptions on which date back to the 1st century A.D. The name "Syriac" is explained by the fact that Christians who spoke Eastern Aramaic called themselves surye... They borrowed this word from the Greek, where sura- abbreviation from assyuriy... Semitic name of this people aramaye, Akkadian arime, they used only in the sense of "pagans";
4) New Aramaic dialects in Mesopotamia, which are now spoken in Mosul and Tur-Abdin, as well as in Armenia, where Novo-Syrian from Urmia also became a written language.

Maalula.Monastery of St.Thekla

What language did Jesus Christ speak? A number of theologians claim to be in Aramaic. Two thousand years ago, it was a widespread dialect in the Middle East. Today it is not easy to hear such a language; only a few tens of thousands of people in the world speak it. "Details" have found almost the only city on Earth that retains linguistic devotion to the Arameans. The floor is given to Roman Bochkala. This town was nicknamed the island, although there is no water around. The reason for the name is different. Maalula is the only place in the world where the language of Jesus Christ has been preserved.

In this town live, at most, a thousand people, but the whole world knows it. In ancient times, the Arameans were called tribes that roamed the territory of modern Syria. But two thousand years ago, the entire Middle East spoke Aramaic.

Tony Al Ahmed, Maaloula resident:

- My mother speaks Aramaic perfectly, I know it too. But his father does not know him - he comes from other places. This is why we speak both Aramaic and Arabic at home.

All roads in Maalula lead to the monastery of St. Thekla, built right in the rock. It was founded by the saint herself. Here she healed the suffering with water from this spring. Life-giving moisture seeps through the stones and fills the bowl.

English is spoken with visitors here. They can also speak Aramaic, but then no one will understand anything.

Thousands of pilgrims visit this place every day. Abbess Pelageya agreed to conduct a separate tour for our film crew.

These murals are dedicated to the life of the Mother of God. From birth to death. All drawings in their original form are the same as they were a thousand years ago. Everything here is made of pure gold, silver and bronze.

Syria is home to two million Orthodox Christians. The monastery of St. Thekla is one of their main shrines.

Pelageya, abbess of the church of St. Thekla:

- Despite the fact that Syria is mostly a Muslim country, Christians feel absolutely comfortable here. We visit each other, eat common bread and celebrate our holidays together with Muslims.

In this monastery there is the only school of the Aramaic language. Nivin and Mirel go to it after school at a regular school. Each lesson begins with a prayer in Aramaic.

Nowhere else in the world can you hear this language.

Nivin, Maaloula resident:

- My grandmother, my mother knew Aramaic ... I want to know it too. Jesus spoke this language and it is a great honor for me to know His language. Aramaic is absolutely uncomplicated - similar to Hebrew and Arabic.

The local elder speaks the Aramaic language best of all in Maaloula. His son met us at the entrance to the house. Ilyas il Hori taught Aramaic for half a century - by word of mouth. After all, the main problem is that the alphabet has not survived.

Ilyas Il-Hori, Elder of Maaloula:

- Over the centuries, the Aramaic writing has been lost. And I am very proud that our small town, lost far in the mountains, continues to remember the language of Christ!

There are still chances to restore Aramaic writing. In the monastery of St. Thekla, the archives are being studied and already this year they promise to rediscover written Aramaic.

Aramaic(self-name - ܐܪܡܝܐ Armāyâ / Ārāmāyâ, ארמית Aramit) refers to the Semitic languages, and mainly served as a common language in the Middle East from about the 7th century. BC e. until the 7th century n. e., when it was largely replaced by the Arabic language. Classical, or Imperial Aramaic, was the main language of the Persian, Babylonian and Assyrian empires, and spread to the territories of Greece and the Indian civilization. After Alexander the Great destroyed the Persian Empire, Aramaic lost its status as the official language for any major state, although it continued to be widely used. During this period, the Aramaic language was divided into Western and Eastern dialects.

Features of the Aramaic language

• Writing type: consonant alphabet (abjad)
• Writing direction: right to left horizontally

Aramaic was once the main language of the Jews. Records in the Aramaic language have been found in the Qumran manuscripts. Aramaic is still used as the language of worship in Christian communities in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq. Aramaic is spoken by a small number of people in Iraq, Turkey, Iran, Armenia, Georgia and Syria.

Currently, Biblical Aramaic, New Aramaic Hebrew, and Aramaic use the Hebrew alphabet, while Syriac and New Aramaic Christian dialects use the Syriac script and the Mandean script.

Aramaic alphabet

The Aramaic alphabet arose from the Phoenician writing during the 8th century. BC e. and was used for writing in Aramaic until about 600 AD. e. The Aramaic alphabet was adapted for writing in some other languages, and on its basis a number of new alphabets arose, including the Hebrew square and handwritten script, Nabatean script, Syriac script, Palmyrian alphabet, Manda alphabet, Sogdian alphabet, Mongolian and, probably, Old Turkic letter.

Early Aramaic alphabet

The early Aramaic alphabet appeared around the end of the 10th century. or the beginning of the IX century. BC BC, replacing Assyrian cuneiform as the main writing system in the Assyrian Empire.

Imperial aramaic alphabet

This type of the Aramaic alphabet dates back to the 5th century. BC e. and was used to write in Imperial Aramaic, the standardized and official language of the Achaemenid Empire. Throughout the V century. BC e. this alphabet was adapted for writing in Hebrew, and its modern version, shown below, is still used for writing in New Aramaic dialects.

Where Laban calls the stone-built monument in Aram., While Jacob gives him Heb. name. It is difficult to establish with certainty how ancient A.Ya. Albright considers it established that this language originated from one of the Western Semites. dialects spoken in the North-West. Mesopotamia at the beginning of the 2nd millennium. BC Obviously, traces of this dialect are visible in the messages from the archive ⇒ Mari. According to Albright, Hebrew was spoken in this dialect. patriarchs before resettlement to Palestine. There they took over the local Canaan. dialect. But this statement raises some doubts. One of the earliest inscriptions on A.Ya., the Kilammu inscription, would suggest. refers to the 2nd floor. IX century BC It was found in Zinjirli together with later inscriptions, probably from the 8th century. BC Science also has Zakir's inscription dating back to the beginning. VIII century BC (⇒ Ben-hadad, III). Dr. aram. the language of this inscription still has much in common with Canaanite. Influence of Canaan. As well as Akkad. languages ​​is especially great in the Kilammu inscription, so that some researchers refuse to admit that this text was written in A.Ya.

II. A.Ya., previously (on the basis of) mistakenly considered Chaldean, became widespread () and ultimately, displacing Hebrew, became colloquial, having turned into the Hebrew language by the time of Jesus. people. Written Old Hebrew the language in which most of the OT was written was no longer used as a spoken language. As among the Assyrians and Babylonians - Akkad., And later in the Roman Empire - Greek. So in the Persian kingdom - Aram. became the official language. documents and internat. communication (cf. also the Book of Ezra). The Jews of the diaspora who lived in Egypt also spoke A.Ya. This is found in Jude. documents on papyrus dating back to the 5th and 4th centuries. BC, found in Elephantine (in Upper Egypt). In the period after Babel. captivity of Heb. language could only be heard in synagogues when reading Scripture. At the same time, the translator presented the read text in a free translation into A.Ya. Since such an exposition was too free, then subsequently there was a need for written translation. Aram. it was called ⇒ targum ("translation"). Over time, A.Ya. was supplanted by the Arab.

III. A.Ya., along with Canaan. and Heb., belongs to the North-West. Semite. languages, and, in turn, is subdivided into West and East Aram. To the written monuments in the Western Aram. relate:

1) dr. aram. inscriptions: inscriptions from Zinjirli together with the inscriptions of Kilammu and Zakir, Nabatean inscriptions (1st century BC - 1st century AD), inscriptions from Palmyra (1st century BC - 3rd century AD), Sinai inscriptions (1st-4th centuries A.D.);

2) bibl. aram .: two words in (see I); ; -; -; ;

3) AND I. Judas papyri and other documents from Egypt (5th and 4th centuries BC);

4) AND I. Judas. Targums (translations), as well as Jerusalem and Palestinian Talmuds (II-V centuries A.D.);

5) Samaritan - the language of translation of the Samaritan Pentateuch (used as a purely lit. up to the Middle Ages, that is, even after the speakers of this language were gone;

6) christ-palest. AND I. Melkite Christians living in Palestine (V-VIII centuries A.D.);

7) novoaram., which is still spoken in a small area in the mountains of Anti-Lebanon.

IV. East-aram. includes:

1) Judah-Aram. the Babylonian Talmud (IV-VI centuries A.D.);

2) Mandean - the language of the pagan Gnostics from the Mandean sect (from the 4th century AD);

3) sire. - letter. sire language. churches in sowing. Syria and Mesopotamia in the III-XIV centuries. It originated from the dialect of Edessa, the oldest inscriptions on which date back to the 1st century. according to R.Kh. The name "Syrian" is explained by the fact that the Christians who spoke East Aram. Called themselves surye... They borrowed this word from Greek, where sura- abbreviation from assyuriy... Semite. the name of this people aramaye, akkad. arime, they used only in the sense of "pagans";

4) novoaram. dialects in Mesopotamia, which are now spoken in Mosul and Tur-Abdin, as well as in Armenia, where novosir. from Urmia also became a letter. language.