The means of communication shared in common by groups of people. Scripture teaches that the diversity of languages in the world is a result of sin, but the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts broke down the barriers of language and nationality.

Genesis 11:1-9

The origin of different languages

See also

Genesis 10:2-5,20,30-31
Isaiah 19:18

The close relationship between language and national identity

See also

Nehemiah 13:23-27
Zechariah 8:23
Revelation 5:9; 7:9; 10:11; 11:9; 13:7; 14:6; 17:15
Nehemiah 13:23-24

Language barriers

See also

Deuteronomy 28:49-50
Psalms 81:5
Jeremiah 5:15
Ezekiel 3:5-6
Daniel 1:4
1 Corinthians 14:10-11
Esther 8:9

The diversity of languages in the Persian empire

See also

Ezra 4:7
Esther 1:22; 3:12
Acts 2:1-11

God's revelation not limited to any single language

See also

Psalms 19:1-4
Acts 10:44-48
2 Kings 18:26

Aramaic

Aramaic in the OT

See also

pp Isa 36:11

Ezra 4:7

Aramaic is a language related to Hebrew, known from Assyrian times. Under the influence of the Persian empire Aramaic was the diplomatic language in later OT times. In Palestine, by the time of the NT, it was spoken widely, having largely displaced Hebrew as the everyday language of the Jews.

Jeremiah 10:11

The text of Ezr 4:8-6:18 and 7:12-26 is in Aramaic

Daniel 2:4

The text of Jer 10:11 is in Aramaic

John 20:16

The text of Da 2:4-7:28 is in Aramaic.

See also

By NT times Aramaic had become the common language of Palestinian Jews

John 5:2; 19:13,17,20
Acts 21:40-22:2; 26:14
Matthew 27:46

Aramaic expressions found in the NT

See also

Matthew 5:22

pp Mk 15:34

Mark 5:41; 7:34; 14:36
John 20:16
Romans 8:15
1 Corinthians 16:22 fn
Galatians 4:6
2 Kings 18:26

Hebrew

See also

pp Isa 36:11

2 Kings 18:28

Hebrew was the language of Israel in the period of the OT. By the time of the NT, it had been partially displaced in everyday use by Aramaic.

Revelation 9:11; 16:16

pp 2Ch 32:18

pp Isa 36:13

John 19:20

Greek

See also

Acts 21:37-39

Greek was the major cultural and commercial language of the eastern Mediterranean world. The NT was written in this language, ensuring the rapid spread of the gospel in this region.

Revelation 9:11

See also

1440 revelation, through creation
3242 Holy Spirit, baptism with
3251 Holy Spirit, filling with
3257 Holy Spirit, gift of
5547 speech, power of
5585 towers
5628 work
8020 faith