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Ἑβραΐς (Hebrais)

Hebrais

Hebrew

G1446 · Greek · New Testament · 3 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
3 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

The noun Hebrais refers to the spoken vernacular of first-century Palestine, which modern scholars identify as Aramaic rather than Biblical Hebrew. Although the term literally translates to "Hebrew," it describes the everyday language Jesus and his followers used in daily conversation. This distinction clarifies why the New Testament records this specific word when referring to the tongue heard by the crowd, distinguishing it from the formal Greek of administration or the ancient Hebrew of the Septuagint.

This usage appears only three times in the New Testament, all within Acts (21:40; 22:2; 26:14), where Paul switches to this local dialect to address Jewish listeners. By choosing Hebrais, the text highlights a deliberate cultural bridge. The word underscores that the apostolic message was not confined to scholarly Greek but was communicated in the living, breathing language of the people on the street.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word Hebrais points to the everyday speech of first-century Palestine, a dialect that modern scholars identify as Aramaic but which the text calls Hebrew. It was the language of the marketplace and the home, distinct from the formal Greek used in administration or the ancient Hebrew of the Scriptures. This linguistic choice reminds us that the gospel is not bound to scholarly languages or liturgical forms; it is meant for ordinary people in their daily lives.

When Paul stood on the stairs in Jerusalem and spoke in this vernacular, he did so to build a bridge with his listeners. He used the language of their fathers to share the message of Christ. This shows that effective witness often involves meeting people where they are, using words they understand and feel connected to. The truth of God is not hidden in complex terminology but can be spoken plainly in the tongue of the heart.

For your own life, this word encourages you to speak with clarity and cultural sensitivity. You do not need fancy words to share your faith; you need a willing heart and a willingness to use the language of love that others understand. May your words always build bridges rather than walls, reflecting the accessibility of God’s grace.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • Hebrew3×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • Ἑβραΐδι3×

Key Verses

  • Acts 21:40
    When he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with his hand to the people. When there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying,

    This verse marks Paul's deliberate shift to the local dialect to gain the attention and respect of the Jewish crowd before defending his mission.

  • Acts 22:2
    When they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they were even more quiet. He said,

    The audience’s reaction of quietness shows how effectively speaking in their native tongue disarmed their hostility and opened them to his testimony.

  • Acts 26:14
    When we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

    Paul recalls that even the voice of Jesus on the road to Damascus spoke in this vernacular, highlighting that divine revelation meets us in our own language.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hebrais mean in the New Testament?

Hebrais refers to the spoken vernacular of first-century Palestine, which scholars identify as Aramaic. It was the everyday language of the Jewish people, distinct from the formal Greek used in the wider Roman world or the ancient Hebrew of the Old Testament.

Why does Acts use Hebrais instead of Aramaic?

The New Testament writers often used 'Hebrew' to describe the language of the Jewish people, even when it was technically Aramaic. This term emphasized the cultural and religious identity of the speakers rather than just the linguistic classification.

Where does this word appear in the Bible?

It appears only three times, all in the book of Acts (21:40; 22:2; 26:14). In each instance, it describes Paul speaking to Jewish listeners or recalling his conversion experience using their native tongue.

How is Hebrais different from Greek in the New Testament?

Greek was the common language of trade and administration across the Roman Empire, while Hebrais was the local vernacular of Judea. The text uses Hebrais to show Paul connecting with his Jewish audience on a personal and cultural level.

Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)

Acts 3 verses
Acts 21:40

When he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with his hand to the people. When there was a…

Acts 22:2

When they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they were even more quiet. He said,

Acts 26:14

When we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you…