4: Talitha koum — תַלִיתָא קוּמִי

1. Term: Talitha koum — תַלִיתָא קוּמִי

Meaning: “Little girl, arise!” — A phrase spoken by Jesus to raise a girl from the dead.

2. Historical-Cultural Context:

  • Aramaic was the everyday language of Jesus and His contemporaries.
  • This phrase is an example of Jesus’ use of Aramaic in personal, miraculous contexts.
  • It shows the intimate, direct nature of Jesus’ miracles and His authority over life and death.
  • The preservation of Aramaic words in the Greek New Testament highlights their impact and authenticity.

3. Literary Examples:

  • Mark 5:41 — “Taking her by the hand he said to her, ‘Talitha koum!’ (which means, ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise!’).”
  • This moment emphasizes Jesus’ power and compassion, connecting with the real spoken language of His audience.

4. Cultural Significance:

  • Talitha koum conveys the immediacy and personal nature of Jesus’ miracles.
  • It also illustrates how Aramaic expressions were meaningful and authoritative in a predominantly Greek text.
  • The phrase continues to be a symbol of hope and resurrection in Christian tradition.
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