Over the past several decades, particularly within Messianic and Messianic-adjacent congregations, a persistent assertion has emerged regarding the Apostle Paul (Rav Sha'ul). Contrary to traditional interpretations found in most biblical translations, which identify Paul's occupation as a "tent-maker," proponents of this alternative view claim he was instead a "tallit-maker" - a craftsman who produced prayer shawls. This claim has gained such widespread acceptance in certain communities that it is rarely subjected to critical examination. Yet a fundamental question remains: what motivates this interpretative shift? Does attributing this specific occupation to Paul somehow authenticate his Jewish identity or enhance his apostolic authority? What hermeneutical advantage do we gain by promoting this understanding? These questions warrant careful consideration as we examine the textual and historical evidence.
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Introduction
Within Messianic and Messianic-adjacent (Torah-Observant) communities, one frequently encounters some variation of the claim that "the New Testament was originally written in Aramaic, which resolves apparent contradictions found in the Greek text." While this represents just one rationale behind the Aramaic Primacy theory, it remains particularly prevalent in our circles. This article aims to provide an objective examination of the Aramaic Primacist position, exploring it with greater depth than is commonly presented. |
AuthorJonathan Andrew Brown Archives
July 2022
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