Some Terminology

People from different Bible backgrounds and beliefs often use different terminology for the same thing. While this is no problem once you are aware of it, it can be very confusing at first!

In this simple lesson we provide a helpful list of the main Aramaic resources which we discuss at Jesus Spoke Aramaic, and alternative names which are sometimes used for these.

Hebrew Tanakh

The Hebrew Tanakh is also known as:

• The Tanakh
• The Hebrew Bible
• The Old Testament
• The Massoretic Text

The Tanakh is an abbreviation of Torah (the Law), Neviim (the Prophets) and Ketuvim (the Writings), the three major divisions of the Hebrew Bible (see Luke 24:44).

Aramaic Targums

The Aramaic Targums are also known as:

• The Aramaic Targums
• The Aramaic Targumim
• The Targums
• The Targumim

Peshitta Tanakh

The Peshitta Tanakh is also known as:

• The Aramaic Peshitta Old Testament
• The Aramaic Old Testament

The Peshitta Tanakh (in Aramaic) distinguishes it from the Hebrew Tanakh (in Hebrew).

Peshitta New Testament

The Peshitta New Testament is also known as:

• The Aramaic Peshitta New Testament
• The Peshitta New Testament
• The Syriac New Testament
• The Peshitta

NOTE: The Peshitta Bible (or Biblia Peshitta) consists of the Peshitta Tanakh (Old Testament) and the Peshitta New Testament together.

You will soon get used to using all these terms interchangeably!