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Friday, March 07, 2025

Greek and Hebrew words in English

Many English-only Texians actually know a little bit of Spanish because certain Spanish words have effectively become English words, for example: adiós, amigo, armadillo, barbacoa, cucaracha, fiesta, hombre, jalapeño, mesa, nacho, salsa, taco, tamale.

Likewise, certain Greek and Hebrew Bible words, through common repetition, have effectively become Christian English words (and some are known outside Christian contexts, having literally become English words). Accordingly, many English-only Christians know a little bit of Greek and Hebrew, even if they do not know they know them.

Some Greek words used by English-speaking Christians.

  • agape: love (its well-known-ness is generally incorrect)
  • amartia: sin
  • amen: so be it
  • anathema: accursed
  • baptizo: baptize, immerse
  • charis: grace
  • ekklesia (ecclesia): assembly, church, congregation (from which we get the word ecclesiology)
  • Emmanuel (Immanuel): literally, “God with us” (also a Hebrew word)
  • episkopos: bishop
  • euangelion: the gospel, good news
  • eucharist: thanksgiving (used to refer to the communion of bread and wine)
  • exousia: authority
  • koinonia: communion, fellowship
  • kenosis: an emptying (of Christ, as described in Philippians 2:7)
  • kyrie (aka, kurios): Lord; often known through its use in Latin liturgical texts and in Western choral music; e.g. in the phrase kyrie eleison, or “Lord, have mercy”
  • kerygma: preaching, or message
  • Logos: the word (spoken of in John 1, et al.)
  • maranatha: [when] our Lord comes (an Aramaic phrase in the Greek New Testament)
  • Messias: Christ, the Anointed one (also a Hebrew word משיח – Messiah)
  • metanoia: repentance, conversion
  • monogenes: only begotten
  • nomos: law
  • Paraclete (Parakletos): one called alongside; the Holy Spirit
  • parousia: coming, arrival (most commonly used by Christians when referring to the second coming of the Lord; e.g. 1 Corinthians 15:23)
  • pistis: faith
  • presbuteros: elder
  • soteria: salvation (from which we get the term soteriology)
  • Theos: God

Some Hebrew words used by English-speaking Christians.

  • Adonai: master, lord, Lord
  • ben: (prefix) son, son of
  • beth: (prefix) house, house of
  • Elohim: a generic name for God and sometimes gods
  • halal: praise, worship
  • hallelujah: praise God (Jehovah)
  • hosanna: save now, an affirmation of praise (cf. Psalm 118:25-26 & Mark 11:9)
  • Immanuel (Emmanuel): literally, “God with us” (also a Greek word)
  • Jehovah (Yahweh): the Old Testament covenant name of God, usually translated Lord in English
  • Messiah: Christ, the Anointed one (also a Greek word Μεσσίας – Messias)
  • nephesh: soul, life, breath
  • Satan: yes, that is a direct Hebrew word, meaning Satan or adversary
  • selah: a possible liturgical or musical term of uncertain meaning, nevertheless often used by English-speakers to express a pause. 
  • shalom: peace, true peace
  • shema: hear
  • tikvah: hope
  • torah: instruction, law (most often used to refer to the 5 books of Moses, the Pentateuch)

Bonus.

  • Tanakh: not found in the Old Testament itself, but a common term referring to the Hebrew Bible.

In this vein, Rose Publishing has put out 50 Greek Words Every Christian Should Know and 50 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know. And on You Tube, there is the series by IsraelU, 7 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know.

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