John C. Poirier, «The Narrative Role Of Semitic Languages In The Book Of Acts» filologia-neotestamentaria, Vol. 16 (2003) 107-116 page 116

Vol 16 (2003)

John C. Poirier, «The Narrative Role Of Semitic Languages In The Book Of Acts», Vol. 16 (2003) 107-116

Philological studies have suggested that “the Hebrew dialect” (th|= (Ebra1%di diale/ktw|) in Acts 21,40; 22,2; and 26,14 refers to Hebrew, not Aramaic. But why would Paul speak Hebrew when addressing fellow Jews? This article suggests that he did so in order to be understood by the Jews but not by the Roman tribune (who would have understood Aramaic). This scenario is supported by a number of details within the account, and by a parallel case in 4 Maccabees. The article also suggests that something similar lies behind the use of Hebrew by the resurrected Jesus (26,14).

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116 John C. Poirier Aramaic), he is ready to resort to scourging to find out what Paul said when he addressed the crowd â€œin the Hebrew dialectâ€. Taken as a whole, therefore, the episode depicts Paul using three different languages: Ara- maic, then Greek, then Hebrew. It also appears that a tactical denial of access can explain the reference to Ï„á¿‡ á¼™Î²ÏÎ±á¿“Î´Î¹ Î´Î¹Î±Î»á½³ÎºÏ„á¿³ in Acts 26,14. Christ spoke to Paul in Hebrew so that his traveling companions would not understand what was being said.19 John C. POIRIER 1100 North Main Street Franklin, Ohio 45045 (USA) I would like to thank Mr. Ken Penner for reading and commenting on this article. 19