a-r-a-m-a-i-c
ARAMAIC is an ancient Semitic language that served as the lingua franca of the Near East for over a thousand years. It was the language Jesus spoke and remains sacred in several religious traditions.
11
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
ARAMAIC represents one of history's most influential languages, serving as the common tongue across vast empires from roughly 700 BCE to 700 CE. This Semitic language, closely related to Hebrew and Arabic, spread from its origins in ancient Aram (modern-day Syria) to become the administrative and commercial language of the Persian Empire.
Most remarkably, Aramaic was the daily language of Jesus Christ and his disciples. The Gospels preserve several Aramaic phrases spoken by Jesus, including "Talitha koum" (little girl, arise) and his cry on the cross, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" (My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?). These preserved words offer a direct linguistic connection to pivotal moments in religious history.
Aramaic's influence extends throughout religious literature. Significant portions of the biblical books of Daniel and Ezra were written in Aramaic, as was the Talmud, Judaism's central text of rabbinical discussion. The language developed into numerous dialects, including Syriac, which became the liturgical language of several Eastern Christian churches.
Today, Aramaic survives in small communities in Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Iraq, though UNESCO classifies it as definitely endangered. Neo-Aramaic dialects are still spoken by Assyrian Christians and some Jewish communities. Academic interest remains strong, as Aramaic texts provide crucial insights into the development of Judaism, Christianity, and the cultural history of the ancient Near East.
In Scrabble and word games, ARAMAIC is a valuable 7-letter word that can earn the 50-point bingo bonus. Its high vowel content (4 vowels to 3 consonants) makes it easier to form from common tiles, while the less common letter C adds scoring potential.
ARAMAIC takes its name from "Aram," the ancient name for Syria and the broader region where the language originated. In Hebrew, the language is called "Aramit," while in Aramaic itself, it's "Aramaya." The Greeks called it "Aramaïkḗ," from which the English term derives.
The biblical figure Aram, grandson of Noah through Shem, gave his name to the Aramean people and their homeland. The suffix "-aic" follows the pattern of other language names like "Hebraic" and "Syriac," indicating "pertaining to" or "characteristic of" Aram.
Interestingly, the Arameans themselves didn't originally call their language "Aramaic." They simply called it "the language" or referred to specific dialects by regional names. The term "Aramaic" as a linguistic classification emerged from Greek and Latin scholarship.
In Jewish tradition, Aramaic was called "Targum" (meaning "translation") because it was the language into which Hebrew scriptures were translated for congregations who no longer understood Hebrew. This reflects Aramaic's role as the vernacular that gradually replaced Hebrew in daily life after the Babylonian exile.
•The word "Abracadabra" likely comes from Aramaic "avra kehdabra," meaning "I will create as I speak"—showing how Aramaic influenced magical incantations
•Mel Gibson's film "The Passion of the Christ" was filmed entirely in Aramaic and Latin to achieve historical authenticity, introducing millions to the sound of Jesus's native language
•In Scrabble, ARAMAIC's four vowels (A-A-A-I) make it easier to form than most 7-letter words, and it can be built from ARIA + MAC or RAM + AIC
"The Dead Sea Scrolls contain texts written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek."
"She studied Aramaic to better understand the original context of biblical passages."
"The rabbi chanted the Kaddish prayer in its original Aramaic."
"Many of Jesus's teachings were originally spoken in Aramaic before being recorded in Greek."
"I formed ARAMAIC using the existing ARA on the board, adding MAIC for a 50-point bingo!"
Talmud, Targums, Biblical portions, prayers
Abba, Mammon, Rabbi, Sabbath
Hebrew, Arabic, Syriac alphabets
Assyrians, Chaldeans, Maronites
Aramaic's role as the ancient world's lingua franca parallels English's position today. For over a millennium, from the Assyrian Empire through the early Islamic period, Aramaic facilitated trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchange across diverse peoples. Merchants from India to Egypt conducted business in Aramaic, while imperial edicts from Persepolis to Jerusalem were proclaimed in this common tongue.
The language's religious significance cannot be overstated. When Jews returned from Babylonian exile, many no longer understood Hebrew, necessitating Aramaic translations (Targums) of scripture. The shift was so complete that by Jesus's time, Aramaic had become the mother tongue of most Palestinian Jews. The preservation of Jesus's actual words in the Gospels—"Abba" (Father), "Maranatha" (Come, Lord)—provides an intimate connection to early Christianity.
Modern efforts to preserve Aramaic face urgent challenges. War and persecution have scattered traditional Aramaic-speaking communities, while younger generations often prefer national languages. Yet technology offers hope: online courses, digital archives, and social media groups connect speakers worldwide. The language that once united empires now unites a diaspora determined to keep their linguistic heritage alive.
Total base points: 11 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 4 | Consonants: 3
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