Greek Hebrews was Translated from Aramaic

Greek Hebrews was Translated from Aramaic
By
James Scott Trimm

The point of this blog its simply to demonstrate that our Greek version of the Letter to the Hebrews, it a translation from Aramaic, not to prove that Aramaic was the original (a Hebrew original version probably was behind the Aramaic).

Recently, while doing research for my two part blog After the Order of Melchizedek (Part 1 and Part 2) I noticed something very interesting.

In the Hebrew of Psalm 110:4 this phrase is עַל־דִּ֝בְרָתִ֗י מַלְכִּי־צֶֽדֶק literally “upon the word of Melchizedek”. The Aramaic Peshitta of Psalm 110:4 has “in the likeness (בדמותה) of Melchezidek” and the Greek Septuagint has “after the arrangement of (κατὰ τὴν τάξιν) Melchizedek”.

It should come as no surprise that where this phrase is used in the Letter to the Hebrews (Heb. 5:6, 10; 6:20; 7:11, 17, 21) the Aramaic Peshitta version of Hebrews agrees with the Aramaic Peshitta version of Psalm 110:4 and the Greek version of Hebrews agrees with the Greek Septuagint version of Psalm 110:4.

However, one very interesting exception occurs in Hebrews 7:15 (which was not included in the list above):

And it is yet far more evident: for that after the likeness of Melchizedek there arises another priest,
(Hebrews 7:15)

Here the Greek has κατὰ τὴν ὁμοιότητα (after the likeness of) Melchizedek, in agreement with the Aramaic Peshitta text of this verse of Hebrews, which is itself taken from the Aramaic Peshitta version of Psalm 110:4.

This reading could only occur in Greek Hebrews, if it had been translated from the Aramaic, not vice-versa.

Our rent is due tomorrow and we do not have it!

As you know we have been digging ourselves out of a budget shortfall. As I have said to you many times, I look on this work as a co-operative one with me, and all of you combining our resources together in order to get the job done of helping to teach this great truth to all in the world who will listen. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for your continued support, you are the ones who make it all possible by your contributions and your prayers for our work. I truly appreciate your help in every way.

If you can make a one time donation of $500 or $1,000 dollars to support this work.