Samaritan Hebrew is a unique variety of ancient Hebrew used by the Samaritan community, who trace their religious and cultural lineage to the Israelites of the Northern Kingdom. It is the language found in the Samaritan Pentateuch, which is the Samaritans’ version of the Torah. Although Samaritan Hebrew shares similarities with Biblical (or Classical) Hebrew, which is the language of the Hebrew Bible, it has distinctive features in pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and script.
Key Differences Between Samaritan Hebrew and Biblical Hebrew
1. Script:
Samaritan Hebrew uses a script derived from the Paleo-Hebrew alphabet, which is quite different from the square Aramaic script (modern Hebrew letters) used in traditional Jewish Hebrew texts. The Samaritan script preserves an ancient form of Hebrew writing closer to what was likely used before the Babylonian Exile, while mainstream Judaism eventually adopted the Aramaic square script during and after the Exile.
Samaritan Script
2. Phonology and Pronunciation:
Samaritans have maintained a distinct pronunciation system that differs significantly from Jewish Hebrew pronunciation. For instance:
The letter ayin (ע) in Samaritan Hebrew is generally silent, unlike in traditional Biblical Hebrew, where it often represents a guttural sound.
Aleph (א) is pronounced differently, sometimes even omitted in pronunciation.
The pronunciation of some vowels differs, and Samaritan Hebrew has retained certain archaic vowel sounds that have disappeared or evolved in Jewish Hebrew.
3. Grammar and Syntax:
There are notable grammatical distinctions. Samaritan Hebrew grammar reflects influences from Aramaic and, in some cases, retains older forms of Hebrew that were lost in the development of Classical Biblical Hebrew:
Samaritan Hebrew may have simpler verb conjugations in certain cases.
There are different pronoun forms and verb conjugations compared to the Hebrew used in the Masoretic Text (the traditional Jewish version of the Hebrew Bible).
The plural endings and some possessive constructions are different from those in standard Biblical Hebrew.
4. Vocabulary:
Some words in the Samaritan Pentateuch differ from their counterparts in the Masoretic Text. These differences can range from minor vocabulary substitutions to entirely different words. In some cases, the Samaritan text uses synonyms or simpler forms.
5. Textual Variants:
The Samaritan Pentateuch, the Samaritan version of the Torah, differs from the Masoretic Text in various ways. These include alterations to the text that reflect Samaritan religious beliefs, such as emphasizing Mount Gerizim as the sacred site chosen by God (as opposed to Jerusalem in Jewish tradition). While most of the differences are minor, there are some theological and ideological changes that set it apart from the Jewish version.
6. Religious and Cultural Context:
Samaritans consider themselves the true descendants of the Israelites and see their version of the Torah as preserving the original, unaltered word of God. Their practices, pronunciation, and script reflect this belief. They have a unique history and see themselves as separate from both Jewish and Christian traditions, despite sharing foundational religious texts.
Comparison with Other Forms of Hebrew
Biblical Hebrew: Often refers specifically to the language in the Masoretic Text of the Hebrew Bible, written in the square script. This text became standardized in the Jewish community around the first millennium CE. Biblical Hebrew is typically what scholars study and what is taught as “Classical Hebrew.”
Modern Hebrew: This is the revived version of Hebrew that became the official language of Israel in the 20th century. Modern Hebrew is based on Biblical Hebrew but has adopted modern vocabulary and grammar influenced by European languages.
Ancient Hebrew Variants: Before the Babylonian Exile, Hebrew existed in various dialects and forms, including inscriptions like the Siloam inscription and texts found in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Samaritan Hebrew retains some of these ancient features that may not appear in the standardized Masoretic Text.
The Status of Samaritan Hebrew Today
Today, Samaritan Hebrew is mostly a liturgical language. The Samaritan community, which numbers only a few hundred people, lives primarily in Israel and the West Bank. They maintain their religious practices in Samaritan Hebrew, and their version of the Torah is central to their worship. While most Samaritans are bilingual, speaking both Modern Hebrew and Arabic, they continue to read and preserve their sacred texts in Samaritan Hebrew.
Samaritan Hebrew provides a unique window into an alternative tradition of Hebrew and Israelite religion. It differs from Biblical Hebrew in script, pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and theological emphasis, especially in the Samaritans’ reverence for Mount Gerizim over Jerusalem. Though distinct, it shares enough with Biblical Hebrew to demonstrate a close relationship, and it remains a vital part of the Samaritan religious heritage.
