An Introduction
to Aramaic

Second Edition

by

Frederick E. Greenspahn

Society of Biblical Literature

Atlanta, Georgia

Copyright © 1999, 2003 by the Society of Biblical Literature

First Edition 1999

All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by means of any information storage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted by the 1976 Copyright Act or in writing from the publisher. Requests for permission should be addressed in writing to the Rights and Permissions Office, Society of Biblical Literature, 825 Houston Mill Road, Atlanta, GA, 30329 USA.

Funerary Inscription of Uzziah, Jerusalem, 1st Century bce–1st Century ce is from the Collection, The Israel Museum, Jerusalem. Photo © The Israel Museum. Used with permission.

Dolerite wall relief from Sinjerli (Sam’al) showing King Barrekib on his throne with a scribe. Aramean c. 750 bce. Vorderasiatisches Museum, Staatliche Museen, Berlin, Germany. Used with permission of Foto Marburg/Art Resource, NY.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Greenspahn, Frederick E., 1946–

An introduction to Aramaic / by Frederick E. Greenspahn.—2nd ed.

p. cm.—(Resources for biblical study ; no. 46)

ISBN 1-58983-059-8

1. Aramaic language. 2. Bible. O.T.—Language, style. I. Title. II.

Series.

PJ5211.G74 2003b

492’.29—dc21

Contents

Preface to the Second Edition

Preface to the First Edition

Abbreviations

Chapter 1—Introduction

Chapter 2—A Brief History of Aramaic

Chapter 3—The Aramaic Language

Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34, Jeremiah 10:11, Ezra 4:8–11

Chapter 4—Consonants

Ezra 4:12–16

Chapter 5—Vowels

Ezra 4:17–24

Chapter 6—Nouns, Definite Article

Ezra 5:1–5, Mark 14:36 (Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6)

Chapter 7—Verb System

Ezra 5:6–10

Chapter 8—G Perfect

Ezra 5:11–15

Chapter 9—G Participle

Ezra 5:16–6:5

Chapter 10—Vocabulary

Genesis 31:47, Ezra 6:6–12

Chapter 11—Independent Pronouns, אִיתַי

Ezra 6:13–18

Chapter 12—Prepositions

Ezra 7:12–26

Chapter 13—Pronominal Suffixes

1 Corinthians 16:22, Daniel 2:4–13

Chapter 14—Demonstrative, Relative, and Interrogative Pronouns

Daniel 2:14–24

Chapter 15—G Imperfect

Daniel 2:25–36

Chapter 16—Adjectives and Genitive Constructions (דִּי)

Daniel 2:37–49

Chapter 17—Numbers

Daniel 3:1–12

Chapter 18—G Imperative and Infinitive

Daniel 3:13–23

Chapter 19—D Conjugation

Daniel 3:24–33

Chapter 20—H Conjugation

Daniel 4:1–9

Chapter 21—Weak Verbs (Initial נ‍, י and א, Gutturals, Hollow Verbs, Final ה and א, Geminates)

Daniel 4:10–19

Chapter 22—Unusual Verbs (הוה, הלך, יכל, סלק, עלל)

Daniel 4:20–34

Chapter 23—Syntax

Daniel 5:1–12

Chapter 24—Passive Conjugations

Daniel 5:13–29

Chapter 25—Reflexive Conjugations

Daniel 5:30–6:10

Chapter 26—Other Conjugations (afʿel, shafʿel, itpeʿel)

Daniel 6:11–29

Chapter 27—Daniel 7:1–28

Chapter 28—Inscriptions: Bar Rakib, Uzziah, Ein Gedi Synagogue

Chapter 29—Letters: Elephantine and Bar Kochba

Chapter 30—Dead Sea ...