Bible Dictionary
Sabachthani, Or Sabachthani
Sabachthani means “why have you forsaken me?” It forms part of Christ’s fourth cry from the cross and translates the opening words of Psalm 22.
Definition
Sabachthani is an Aramaic expression translated “why have you forsaken me?” It forms part of Christ’s fourth cry from the cross and corresponds to the opening words of Psalm 22.
Biblical Usage
The expression occurs in the crucifixion accounts of Matthew and Mark as part of Jesus’ cry from the cross.
Historical Background
The words are Aramaic, also called Syro-Chaldaic, the common dialect of Palestine in Christ’s time. The saying represents the Hebrew opening of Psalm 22.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(why hast thou forsaken me?), part of Christ’s fourth cry on the cross. (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34) This, with the other words uttered with it, as given in Mark, is Aramaic (Syro-Chaldaic), the common dialect of the people of palestine in Christ’s time and the whole is a translation of the Hebrew (given in Matthew) of the first words of the 22d Psalm.—ED.