When someone reads the Bible in Portuguese, Spanish, or English, they can hardly imagine that they are facing a text that has traversed millennia, cultures, and languages completely different from our own. One of the greatest curiosities—and also one of the greatest sources of confusion—is the fact that the Bible It was not originally written in any modern language.. It originated in ancient languages, with structures, symbols, and meanings that often have no direct equivalent today. Understanding these languages completely changes how the text is understood.

The Bible was written mostly in three main languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.. Each of them carries its own worldview, and this directly influences the meaning of the words, phrases, and even the central ideas of the biblical text. Ignoring this detail is one of the reasons why so many conflicting interpretations arise throughout history.

Biblical Hebrew: a living, concrete language full of imagery.

Most of the Old Testament was written in biblical Hebrew, Hebrew is an extremely visual, concrete, and action-oriented language. Unlike Portuguese, which relies heavily on abstractions, Hebrew expresses ideas through physical images, movement, and practical experience.

For example, in Hebrew, one doesn't "have" feelings as something abstract; feelings are lived in the body. The heart, in the Hebrew mindset, is not only the center of emotions, but also of reason and decisions. When the Bible speaks of "hardening the heart," this is not a random poetic metaphor, but a concrete description of someone who becomes insensitive, inflexible, and resistant to change.

Furthermore, biblical Hebrew functions largely because word roots, These words are generally composed of three consonants. A single root can generate several related terms, creating layers of meaning that are easily lost in translation. This makes a simple verse in Hebrew carry a depth that does not immediately appear in other languages.

Aramaic: the language of the people and of everyday life.

Although less well known, Aramaic It plays a fundamental role in the Bible. It was the lingua franca of the ancient Middle East, used in commerce, administration, and the daily lives of ordinary people. Some parts of the Old Testament, such as passages from Daniel and Ezra, were written in Aramaic, reflecting specific historical periods when the Jewish people were under foreign rule.

More importantly: Jesus spoke Aramaic.. Many expressions attributed to him in the Gospels were originally spoken in that language. Phrases such as "Talitha cumi," "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani," and "Abba" are clear examples of Aramaic words preserved in the Greek text of the New Testament.

Aramaic is an extremely relational and emotional language. When Jesus calls God "Abba," for example, the direct translation as "Father" doesn't fully capture the original meaning, which is closer to something like "daddy," "my dear father," an expression of deep intimacy and trust.

Koine Greek: precision, logic, and argumentation.

The New Testament, on the other hand, was written mostly in Koine Greek, which was the popular form of Greek during the Roman Empire. Unlike Hebrew, Greek is a highly analytical, precise, and logical language, excellent for argumentation, philosophy, and explaining abstract concepts.

This is no coincidence. The New Testament emerged in a context where the message needed to be communicated to different peoples, cultures, and intellectual levels. Greek allowed for the detailing of complex theological ideas, the establishment of consistent arguments, and dialogue with the philosophical thought of the time.

Greek words used in the Bible have very specific meanings. A famous example is the word "love." In Portuguese, we use a single word for love, but Greek distinguishes several types: agape, philia, Eros e storgé. When the biblical text speaks of love, the type of love mentioned makes all the difference in the interpretation of the message.

Why translations are never neutral.

Every translation involves choices. There is no perfect or completely neutral translation, especially when dealing with ancient texts. The translator must decide between maintaining the literal meaning of the original text or adapting the message to make sense in the target language.

This process inevitably carries with it cultural, theological, and even historical interpretations. The same Hebrew word can be translated in different ways depending on the context and religious tradition behind that version of the Bible. This explains why certain passages vary considerably between translations.

For this reason, serious Bible scholars always refer to the original texts to clarify ambiguities and avoid simplistic conclusions. Many modern theological discussions only exist because a word has been translated in a limited way in a particular language.

Examples of meanings that are lost in translation.

One of the best-known examples is the Hebrew word Shalom. Generally translated as "peace," it goes far beyond the absence of conflict. Shalom It involves integrity, wholeness, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. When the Bible speaks of "peace," it is speaking of a whole life that is balanced and harmonious, not just momentary tranquility.

Another classic example is the Greek word. metanoia, often translated as "repentance". In Greek, metanoia It literally means "change of mind," a profound transformation in the way one thinks and perceives reality, and not just feeling guilty for mistakes made.

These examples show how reading directly, without linguistic context, can drastically impoverish the original message.

The importance of cultural context along with language.

Language and culture go hand in hand. The words of the Bible reflect customs, social practices, economic systems, and worldviews very different from those of today. Terms related to agriculture, family, honor, shame, authority, and justice need to be understood within the context in which they were written.

Without this care, the reader risks projecting modern values onto ancient texts, creating interpretations that were never the authors' original intention. Therefore, studying biblical languages also means studying the ancient world.

This makes the Bible even more impressive.

Far from weakening the Bible, the fact that it was written in different languages and contexts reinforces its uniqueness. Even across such distinct cultures, the text maintains an impressive thematic coherence, addressing universal human issues such as suffering, justice, hope, redemption, and purpose.

Linguistic diversity shows that the biblical message was not confined to a single people or era. It was constructed to engage with different realities, which helps explain why it remains relevant centuries later.

Conclusion

Understanding the original languages of the Bible is not a technical detail reserved for academics. It is a powerful key for anyone who wants to read the text with more depth, less confusion, and greater awareness. Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek are not just ancient languages; they are windows into the mindset, culture, and intentions of the biblical authors.

When this context is taken into account, the Bible ceases to seem like a contradictory or obscure book and begins to reveal itself as a complex, rich, and surprisingly relevant work. Language, in this case, is not an obstacle, but an invitation to a more intelligent and transformative reading.