Hi Gaddi,
Actually, the language of the Israelites is never referred to as Hebrew in the Hebrew Bible. The term "Hebrew" is only used as an ethnic and social designation, not as the name of the language. It is first used as the name of the language in the prologue of Ben-Sira (Sirach). The language of Judah is called "Yehudit" (which you could translate as "Judahite", "Judean" or "Jewish") in 1 Kings 17-18 and in Nehemiah 13:24. Isaiah 19:18 seems to call it "the language of Canaan". But outside of these references, we have no idea what the Israelites or their neighbors called their own language. Best, Yigal Levin From: Zack . [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, April 09, 2012 8:42 PM To: [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: RE: [b-hebrew] The meaning of "Hebrew" The exchange regarding "The Meaning of Hebrew" peaked my interest regarding the language name of "Hebrew". Thus, I am wondering whether the language of the Hebrews and later Israelite or Judahites was referred to by its speakers as "Hebrew" (I believe that in the book of Ezra there is a reference to "Jewish" as the name of the language. Not sure about earlier references to the language's very name). And, if so, and since the language referred-to by its speakers as "Hebrew" was very close to other dialects in the area, other West Semetic languages, used by, e.g., other, local Canaanite groups, as well as the Phoenician, Edomites, Ammonites, Moabites , Medianites etc. -- I wonder whether their "languages" or dialects were also labeled "Hebrew" or named after the nations using them? Any idea? Any references? Gaddi Zack Canada _______________________________________________ b-hebrew mailing list [email protected] http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/b-hebrew
