Syriac

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Syriac \Syr"i*ac\, a. [L. Syriacus, from Syria: cf. F.
     syriaque.]
     Of or pertaining to Syria, or its language; as, the Syriac
     version of the Pentateuch. -- n. The language of Syria;
     especially, the ancient language of that country.
     [1913 Webster]



From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary [easton]:

  Syriac
     (2 Kings 18:26; Ezra 4:7; Dan. 2:4), more correctly rendered
     "Aramaic," including both the Syriac and the Chaldee languages.
     In the New Testament there are several Syriac words, such as
     "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" (Mark 15:34; Matt. 27:46 gives
     the Heb. form, "Eli, Eli"), "Raca" (Matt. 5:22), "Ephphatha"
     (Mark 7:34), "Maran-atha" (1 Cor. 16:22).
     
       A Syriac version of the Old Testament, containing all the
     canonical books, along with some apocryphal books (called the
     Peshitto, i.e., simple translation, and not a paraphrase), was
     made early in the second century, and is therefore the first
     Christian translation of the Old Testament. It was made directly
     from the original, and not from the LXX. Version. The New
     Testament was also translated from Greek into Syriac about the
     same time. It is noticeable that this version does not contain
     the Second and Third Epistles of John, 2 Peter, Jude, and the
     Apocalypse. These were, however, translated subsequently and
     placed in the version. (See {VERSION}.)