Hope and Prophecy

What Language Was the Bible Originally Written In?

The Old Testament was written primarily in Hebrew, with portions in Aramaic. The New Testament was written in Greek.

Published 2026-09-13 · Updated 2026-09-27

Written and reviewed by the Word Oasis Editorial Team. Read our editorial policy.

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Biblical explanation

The Bible itself preserves examples of different languages. Daniel contains an extended section beginning with that is written in Aramaic. Ezra also contains sections in Aramaic, including :18 and 7:12-26. Most of the Old Testament, however, is written in Hebrew. The New Testament was written in Greek, the language in which the Gospel message was widely communicated throughout the Mediterranean world. The New Testament itself frequently quotes the Old Testament, sometimes in forms reflecting the Greek translation used among Greek-speaking Jews. The Bible does not give us a single verse saying, “The Old Testament is Hebrew and the New Testament is Greek.” Rather, the languages are established by examining the biblical text itself. The important point is that translation has always been part of communicating God's revelation across linguistic boundaries. This is why careful comparison of translations can be useful.

In brief

The Bible itself preserves examples of different languages.

Bible references

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Editorial note

This answer is written and reviewed by the Word Oasis Editorial Team, and is presented with supporting references so you can examine each passage in context. If you notice an error or unclear statement, please suggest a correction.