Bible Dictionary
Syriac
Syriac is a form of Aramaic used in the ancient Near East. Several Aramaic expressions occur in the New Testament, and an early Syriac translation of much of the Bible became known as the Peshitta.
Definition
Syriac is a form of Aramaic. The term is more correctly included under the wider designation “Aramaic,” which also includes the Chaldee language.
Biblical Usage
Several New Testament expressions are Syriac or Aramaic, including “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani,” “Raca,” “Ephphatha,” and “Maran-atha.”
Historical Background
An early Syriac translation of the Old Testament, called the Peshitto, was made directly from the original and included the canonical books together with some apocryphal books. The New Testament was also translated from Greek into Syriac about the same period; several books were added to the version later.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(2 Kings 18:26; Ezra 4:7; Dan. 2:4), more correctly rendered “Aramaic,” including both the Syriac and the Chaldee languages. In the New Testament there are several Syriac words, such as “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” (Mark 15:34; Matt. 27:46 gives the Heb. form, “Eli, Eli”), “Raca” (Matt. 5:22), “Ephphatha” (Mark 7:34), “Maran-atha” (1 Cor. 16:22). A Syriac version of the Old Testament, containing all the canonical books, along with some apocryphal books (called the Peshitto, i.e., simple translation, and not a paraphrase), was made early in the second century, and is therefore the first Christian translation of the Old Testament. It was made directly from the original, and not from the LXX. Version. The New Testament was also translated from Greek into Syriac about the same time. It is noticeable that this version does not contain the Second and Third Epistles of John, 2 Peter, Jude, and the Apocalypse. These were, however, translated subsequently and placed in the version. (See VERSION.)