Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say the Lord’s Prayer in Aramaic! Aramaic is an ancient Semitic language that holds significant cultural and historical relevance. This guide will provide you with the formal and informal versions of the Lord’s Prayer in Aramaic, along with some tips, examples, and regional variations if applicable. Whether you’re interested in learning the Lord’s Prayer for personal or academic reasons, let’s dive into this fascinating language together!
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The Lord’s Prayer in Aramaic
First, let’s explore the formal version of the Lord’s Prayer in Aramaic:
Abwoon d’bwashmaya,
Nethqadash shmakh,
Tetheh malkuthakh,
Nehwey tzevyanach aykanna d’bwashmaya aph b’arha.
Hawvlan lachma d’sunqanan yaomana.
Washboqlan khaubayn (wakhtahayn) aykana daph khnan shbwoqan l’khayyabayn.
Wela tahlan l’nesyuna
Ela patzan min bisha.
Metol dilakhie malkutha wahayla wateshbukhta l’ahlam almin.
Ameyn.
Now let’s explore the informal version of the Lord’s Prayer in Aramaic:
Avvon d-bish-maiya,
Nith-qaddash shim-mukh.
Tih-teh mal-chootukh,
Nih-weh-eh malkuthukh,
Aykanna d’bish-maiya, oof bar-ah.
Hawvlan lach-ma d’soonqan an-ya,
O’shwooq lan kho-bein,
Shwak-lan kho-ma-naw-nah, oof kha-yoo-bein (kh’nan shwiq-qan l’khaye-ba-yen).
Oo’la tah-lan l’neese-yoono
Ee-la paht-sahn min beesha.
Mid-til de-di-lukh hai mal-choota
oof khai-la, oof tush-bookh-ta
l’ahl-mein.
Aa-meen.
Tips for Pronunciation
Pronouncing Aramaic correctly can be a challenge if you’re unfamiliar with the language, but with a little practice, you’ll be able to recite the Lord’s Prayer fluently. Here are some tips to help you:
- Pay attention to stress: Aramaic typically emphasizes the second syllable of each word.
- Consonants are important: Aramaic consonants have unique sounds, such as “th” as in “the” for “th”, “kh” as in “Bach” for “kh,” and “sh” as in “sheep” for “sh.”
- Vowels matter: Long vowels are marked with a macron (ā, ē, ī, ō, ū) and should be pronounced with a slightly extended duration.
- Practice with audio resources: Utilize online audio recordings or guides to listen to and imitate native speakers for accurate pronunciation.
Understanding the Lord’s Prayer in Aramaic
To truly appreciate the Lord’s Prayer in Aramaic, it’s crucial to understand its meaning. Here’s a breakdown of the prayer:
“Abwoon d’bwashmaya” translates to “Our Father in heaven.”
“Nethqadash shmakh” means “Hallowed be Your name.”
“Tetheh malkuthakh” translates to “Your kingdom come.”
“Nehwey tzevyanach aykanna d’bwashmaya aph b’arha” means “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
“Hawvlan lachma d’sunqanan yaomana” translates to “Give us this day our daily bread.”
“Washboqlan khaubayn (wakhtahayn) aykana daph khnan shbwoqan l’khayyabayn” means “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
“Wela tahlan l’nesyuna” translates to “And do not bring us to the time of trial.”
“Ela patzan min bisha” means “But rescue us from the evil one.”
“Metol dilakhie malkutha wahayla wateshbukhta l’ahlam almin” translates to “For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.”
“Ameyn” signifies “Amen” – a declaration of affirmation or agreement.
Regional Variations
Due to the long history of the Aramaic language and its influence on various regions, slight regional variations may exist within the Lord’s Prayer. However, the formal and informal versions provided above are widely recognized and used across different Aramaic-speaking communities.
Aramaic as a Living Language
Aramaic, though considered a classical language, still survives as a spoken language in some remote communities today. Syriac, a dialect of Aramaic, continues to be the liturgical language for certain Christian denominations. Exploring Aramaic opens a door to understanding the linguistic and cultural richness of ancient times.
In Conclusion
Congratulations on completing our comprehensive guide on how to say the Lord’s Prayer in Aramaic! We hope this guide has deepened your understanding of this ancient language and enriched your spiritual journey. Whether you choose to recite the Lord’s Prayer in the formal or informal Aramaic version, remember to approach it with respect and appreciation for the historical and cultural significance it holds. May your journey into the world of Aramaic languages continue to inspire you!
