Bible fact · Historical or external claim
Part of Daniel was written in Aramaic
Most of the Old Testament is in Hebrew, but Daniel 2:4b–7:28 and parts of Ezra are in Aramaic. Daniel 2:4Ezra 4:7
Discover why
Daniel 2:4 says the Chaldeans spoke to the king "in the Syrian language" (Aramaic); from that point to the end of chapter 7 the original text is Aramaic. Daniel 2:4
Ezra 4:7 likewise notes a letter "written in Syrian" (Aramaic), and the following section of Ezra is in Aramaic. Ezra 4:7
What the Bible does not say
Where the language switches is known from the Hebrew and Aramaic manuscripts, not stated in every verse; Daniel 2:4 and Ezra 4:7 signal the change.
Read the passage
Daniel 2:4 WEB
4Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in the Syrian language, “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.”
Ezra 4:7 WEB
7In the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his companions wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in Syrian and delivered in the Syrian language.