Of Maidens and the Mishna (to Dawid)

[Paul Younan]

Akhi Dawid,

In the Greek translation of Yukhanan 20:16, we find Miriam calling Meshikha "Rabboni".

Please examine the recently uploaded Targum of Genesis 24:12 below:



We find in the original Hebrew, the word "Adonai" for "my master" .... while in the Aramaic Targum we find "Rabboni"

How does one explain Miriam calling Meshikha "Rabboni", if she wasn't speaking in Aramaic?

One example, "Talitha", fine, we can say "loan-word" as an excuse. Second example, 'Keepa", ....O.K. I'll still grant you the possibility. Three examples now, with "Rabboni"....and this is getting quite obvious that the people spoke Aramaic, and not Hebrew, as an everyday vernacular.....no?

[Dawid]

Not necessarily considering my previously introduced theorum that the Hebrew was initially translated into Syriac, and then into Greek. Aside from that you must take time period into account. In 3500 BCE the term "rabbi" was probably not commonly used in Hebrew. By the first century we know that it was a common term.

Shalom,
Dawid