TH E H E Y M U N A L A N D S C A P E A LINE BY LINE COMPARISON OF TH E TWO O LD E ST V E R S IO N S O F T H E N I C E N E C R E E D

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1 TH E H E Y M U N A L A N D S C A P E A LINE BY LINE COMPARISON OF TH E TWO O LD E ST V E R S IO N S O F T H E N I C E N E C R E E D H. Israel 2016 All Rights Reserved by Righteous Endeavour The Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. did not record the Nicene Creed, and the Creed itself is not mentioned in the proceedings of any council until the local Council of Mar Ishaq (410 A.D.) at which two separate Neo- Aramaic versions were presented and ratified. The next mention of the existence of the Nicene Creed is Pope Leo of Rome s letter to the Council of Chalcedon (451 A.D.). These two earliest surviving versions of the Creed differ substantially in substance and language, with a number of theological and historical implications being the end result. Our desire is to show by this monograph is to give the student the tools necessary to be able to defend the positions they choose to take regarding the real and true history of the Creed, and also to understand the wider implications which exist for the church in defending the historicity of the Creed itself, which facts now seem to call into question.

2 חימונא יואה באלהא יחד Heymuna iwah bchad Illaha We trust in a single God Πιστεύομεν εἰς ἕνα Θεὸν We believe in one true God Scripture: Malachi 2:10 1 st Corinthians 8:4-6 Romans 3:29-31 John 16:30 Page 2

3 אבא יחיד כל Baba yachid kal Father of every single thing Πατέρα παντοκράτορα The Father Almighty Scripture: Genesis 35:11 Matthew 6:9 Ephesians 6:23 1 st Corinthians 8:6 Revelations 1:8 Page 3

4 דבריא דכלאי D Baria D Kulai Creator (Father) of all ποιητὴν οὐρανοῦ καὶ γῆς Maker of heaven and earth Scripture: Genesis 1-2, 14:22 Exodus 20:11 Isaiah 44:24 Ephesians 3:9 Page 4

5 אני דכא שפא חזיאודלן שפא חזיא Ani D Kha Peshi Chazia, U D Lan Peshi Chazia And in one Master, Jesus the Anointed ὁρατῶν τε πάντων καὶ ἀοράτων and of all things visible and invisible Scripture: Jeremiah 32:17 Colossians 1:15-1 Page 5

6 ובחדא מריה ישוע משיחא U B Chad Mariya, Ishue Meshicha And in one Master, Jesus the Anointed καὶ εἰς ἕνα Κύριον Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν And in the one Lord Jesus Christ Scripture: Matthew 1:21 John 4:25-26 Acts 10:36,11:17 2 nd Corinthians 1:3 Note: In Aramaic there is no word for Christ. The English word Christ comes from the Greek redactor s use of the pagan word Χριστὸν to translate Meshicta or Messiah / Anointed. (See: Jesus of history, Christ of faith by Thomas Zanzig 2000 ISBN page 314) The Mariya Mar Yah or Lord God. Yah being the name of God [Yahuah] and being contained in the name of Christ [YahShuah] meaning Yah will Page 6

7 Page 7 save. For this reason, the Ancient Church until modern days in Semitic tradition, have referred to both God and Ieshu as Mariyah.)

8 ברומא דאלהא Baruna D Illaha Son of God τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ Son of God Scripture: Matthew 14:33, 16:16 John 1:14 1st John 4:15 Page 8

9 יחדייא Ihidaya One Singleness τὸν Μονογενῆ the only begotten Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:35, 4:39, 6:4, 32:39 2 nd Samuel 7:22 1 st Kings 8:60 1 st Chronicles 17:20 Isaiah 43:10, 44:6, 45:5,18, 46:9 Zechariah 14:9 Mark 12:29 John 5:44, 10:30, 17:22 Romans 3:30, 16:27 1 st Corinthians 8:4,6 Ephesians 4:4-6 1 st Timothy 1:17 James 2:19 Note: Fully unified, without partner, without division, totally complete Page 9

10 בוקרא דכלי דבריתא Bukira D Kulay B ritha Firstborn from all that is created τὸν ἐκ τοῦ Πατρὸ begotten of the Father Scripture: Colossians 1:15 1 st John 4:9 Hebrews 1:6 Note: The term firstborn as seen in the Aramaic version was later redacted, because, taken out of its context in the Apostle Paul's letter to the Colossians, it could be interpreted in an Arian manner. Page 10

11 הוו דמן באבוהי Huw D Man B Abuhi Who from within His Father Scripture: Psalms 2:7 Hebrews 1:5 Note: Literally from within the bowels of His Father, i.e. innermost parts Page 11

12 עגנתא יחידא Egentha Ichida Existing apart γεννηθέντα πρὸ Existing separate, Scripture: John 1:1-3 Page 12

13 מקדם לכלי עולמאנותא M Qdam L Kulai Alamanutha Before all worlds πάντων τῶν αἰώνων before all worlds Page 13

14 This verse does not occur in the original Φῶς ἐκ Φωτός Light of Light Scripture: Psalm 27:1 John 8: 12 Matthew 17:2,5 Page 14

15 Θεὸς ἀληθινὸν ἐκ Θεο ἀληθινοῦς very God of very God Scriptures: John 1:1 John 1:44 John 5:18 John 12:35-37 John 17:1-5 John 20:28 1 st John 1:5-7 1 st John 5:20 Note: This line is missing in the Aramaic. It would, were it included, read: Nahiyra D B Nahiyra, Ayah Illaha D Illaha Ayah. The first phrase being, light that is from within light. In the second phrase, the word Ayah contains Yah, and is very similar to the Hebrew Eheyeh which means will be. Here it means very or Exact, thus, exactly God from exactly God.) γεννηθέντα οὐ ποιηθέντα begotten, not made Page 15

16 ולן מתעגן בבריא U Lan Mit Egen B Baria Not existing from within creation Scriptures: Matthew 16:27 Mark 14:58 John 1:10,8:58 Hebrews 5:5 Note: Not existing in creation is a literal translation. The meaning however is, not a part of creation, thus, not created, i.e. existing before and outside of creation.) Arius taught that the Son was the first thing which the Father created, and thus the Son was a mere creation of the father and not real Godhead. Page 16

17 אלהא איטוא דמן אלהא איט Illaha Ayatuwa D Min Ilaha Ayat God s essence From within God s essence ὁμοούσιον τῷ Πατρί, being of the same essence with the Father Scripture: John 10:30 Page 17

18 ברא דמן לאביהי Bara D Min L Abuhi Son that is from the father Scripture: Isaiah 44:6 John 10:30,38 Philippians 2:6 Colossians 2:9 Revelation 1:8,17 Note: This extra line may seem superfluous upon initial glance, however in Semitic thought, this reinforces the idea following the pronouncement of His being God s essence, that He is, indeed, the son OF God. In Aramaic prose, this line goes back to reinforce the line Baruna D Illaha in similar words, following the poetry of explanation of His essence. Page 18

19 דבידותהי יתכניא כל עולמא Scriptures: D B Yadthuhi Yit Konea Kal Alama That by His hands, all worlds receive existence δι' οὗ τὰ πάντα ἐγένετο and by whom all things were made Gen 1:3, 6, 9, 14, 20, 24, 26; Ps 33:6; Heb 1:1-2; Col 1:16 Page 19

20 ועגנת בבריא כל מנדיא U Pashla Bria Kol Mendi All knowledge exists in creation Scripture: John 1:3,10 1 st Corinthians 8:6 Hebrews 1:1-2 Revelation 4:11 Note: This verse does not exist in the Greek This rather curious line would better be translated All that exists in creation which is known or which is not known as this is what the phraseology conveys, though to fit with the prose, it is shortened to all knowledge or all known. Page 20

21 Hu D Buth Din B Nisha U Buth Purqanan He (came) to save man from judgement and to save from damnation τὸν δι' ἡμᾶς τοὺς ἀνθρώπους καὶ διὰ τὴν ἡμετέραν σωτηρίαν κατελθόντα who for us men and for our salvation Scripture: John 6:38, 6:41 Matthew 1:21 1 st Timothy 2:4-5 Page 21

22 Tsalan La Min Shamia He descended from the heaven ἐκ τῶν οὐρανῶν came down from heaven Scripture: Luke 1:77 John 3:13,31, 6:33, 35, 42 Titus 2:11 2 nd Timothy 2:10 Page 22

23 U Pashla B Tina U Yalida Min Miryam Bethultha And existed from within and was Page 23

24 וילידא מן מירים בתולתא U Yalida Min Miryam Bethultha born from Mary the Virgin καὶ σαρκωθέντα ἐκ Πνεύματος Ἁγίου καὶ Μαρίας τῆς παρθένου and was incarnate of the Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God Scripture: Isaiah 7:14 Matthew 1:16 Luke 1:27, 35, 2:6 U Pashla Gashmana min Rucha D Qudisha And his existence was Page 24

25 מנא ביתו Mina Bayth O rained down the Holy Spirit καὶ ἐνανθρωπήσαντα, by the Holy Spirit Scripture: Matthew 1:18,20 Luke 1:35 Notes: The Aramaic does not say, incarnate as English does, but instead the whole sentence is different. The phrase raining down carries a special significance for people in the Middle East, where water is scarce. Rain itself was seen by Jesus culture as being poured directly from beneath the Throne of Mercy, from the heavens unto the Earth. And thus in less literal translation this sentence might read: The source of life was taken from beneath the throne of mercy, and bestowed upon man in the form of the Page 25

26 Page 26 substance and existence of Christ, through the spirit of Life.

27 ולאשכמאהוו ד בר אנש U L Askima Huw D Bar Anash And He took the form of the son of man σταυρωθέντα τε ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν ἐπὶ Ποντίου Πιλάτου, and became man Scripture: John 1:14 Page 27

28 ועגנתא זקיפא U Qubla Chita UPashla Z Qipa And dwelt on the cross σταυρωθέντα τε ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν and was crucified for us Scripture: Mark 8:31, 15:25 Page 28

29 ביומנא דפומטיוס פילעטוס BaYumna D Pontios Pilatus In the days of Pontius Pilate ἐπὶ Ποντίου Πιλάτου in the days of Pontius Pilate Scripture: Matthew 16:21, 27:22-26 Acts 2:36, 4:27 Page 29

30 ועגנתא קבירע U Pashla Qabira and existed in the grave καὶ παθόντα, καὶ ταφέντα, and suffered, and died, and was buried Scripture: Matthew 27:50-60 Luke 23:53 1 st Corinthians 15: 3-4 Page 30

31 וקיימלא ליומא דתלתא U Qayimla L Yuma D Tlatha and resurrected on the third day καὶ ἀναστάντα τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ And the third day rose again Scripture: Matthew 16:21, 28:1,6 Mark 15:46, 16:9 Luke 24:1, st Corinthians 15:4 Page 31

32 אייק דילא כתיבתא Ayikh Dila Ktibta according to what was written κατὰ τὰς γραφὰς, according to the Scriptures Scripture: Mark 16:19 John 20:17 1 st Corinthians 15:4 Page 32

33 ועסקלא לשמיא W Asqala L Shamia And rose up into heaven καὶ ἀνελθόντα εἰς τοὺς οὐρανοὺς and ascended into heaven Scripture: Luke 24:51 Acts 1:10 Page 33

34 וסמיכא מן ימינא דאבוהא W Yitbila Min Ymina D Bbuh And is seated on the Father s right καὶ καθεζόμενον ἐν δεξιᾷ τοῦ Πατρὸς and sat on the right side of the Father Scripture: Mark 16:19 Acts 7:55 Page 34

35 ומתפנא יטב בשביחא U Medra Yila Lan Thia And shall return in splendour καὶ πάλιν ἐρχόμενον μετὰ δόξης and shall come again in His great glory Scripture: Matthew 24:27, 25:31 Page 35

36 לדימא למיתא ולחיא L Dina L Mitha U L Chia To pronounce judgement on the dead and on the living κρῖναι ζῶντας καὶ νεκρούς to judge the living and the dead Scripture: Acts 10:42 2 nd Timothy 4:1 John 5:22 οὗ τῆς βασιλείας οὐκ ἔσται τέλος whose kingdom shall have no end Scripture: Luke 1:33 2 nd Peter 1:11 Page 36

37 ובחד רוחא דקודשא U B Chad Rucha D Qudsha And in one Holy Spirit καὶ εἰς τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ Ἅγιον And in the one living Holy Spirit Scripture: John 14:26 Page 37

38 יתרוחא מחינא Rucha M China Who breaths life τὸ Κύριον καὶ Ζωοποιόν the life-giving Lord of all Scripture: Genesis 1:2 Isaiah 6:8 Luke 12:12 John 14:17 Acts 1:5, 5:3-4 28:25 Romans 8:2 2 nd Corinthians 3:6,17-18 Titus 3:5 Page 38

39 Hu D Min Babaka Plat Who from the Father proceeds τὸ ἐκ τοῦ Πατρὸς ἐκπορευόμενον, who proceeds from the Father Scripture: Luke 11:13 John 15:26 1 st Corinthians 15:45 Page 39

40 τὸ σὺν Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ συμπροσκυνούμενον καὶ συνδοξαζόμενον, and who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified Scripture: Matthew 3: Revelation 4:8 Note: Note the absence of a Filioque, and of a Patrioque. This line is not present at all in the Aramaic. Page 40

41 τὸ λαλῆσαν διὰ τῶν προφητῶν who spoke by the Prophets Scripture: 1st Samuel 19: 20 Ezekiel 11: 5, 13 2 nd Peter 1:21 Note: This idea was already covered in the Aramaic version in preceding statement As was written Page 41

42 ובחדא עידותא קדישתא UBchada Edutha Qadishtha And in one holy church and witness, εἰς μίαν ἁγίαν And in the one, holy καθολικὴν καὶ ἀποστολικὴν ἐκκλησίαν catholic and Apostolic Church; Scripture: Matthew 28:19 Mark 16:15 John 10:16 Acts 2:42 Ephesians 2:19-22, 5: nd Peter 2:5,9 Romans 10:18 Note: The word used for Church Edutha literally means Witness, thus the witness to Christ on earth. The word used to denote Apostolic Shlchitha literally means Those who are sent also used for messengers in Semitic thought. Page 42

43 ולעומדים דטיבין U B Qimtha D Pilkhan and in immersion of repentance ὁμολογοῦμεν ἓν βάπτισμα and we confess one Baptism Scripture: Ephesians 4:5 Page 43

44 לשבקא דכטיתא L Shabqa D Chatitha and forgiveness of sins εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν for the remission of sins Scripture: Mark 1:4 Acts 2:38 Ephesians 4:5 Peter 3:21 Page 44

45 ולתקיימת מלמותא U Mawduya Yuch Bchada Milmuditha and a resurrection of the dead προσδοκῶμεν ἀνάστασιν νεκρῶν, we anticipate the resurrection of the dead Scripture: John 11: 24 Romans 6:5 1 st Corinthians 15:12-49 Page 45

46 ובחיא דלעולמא לעולמין U Bchia D Lelam Elamin and life from world to worlds eternity to eternities ages to ages καὶ ζωὴν τοῦ μέλλοντος αἰῶνος and the life of the age to come Scripture: Matthew 25:34 Mark 10:29-30 John 3:16, 6:47 Romans 6:3,22 1 st Corinthians 15:12-14,15:21 Jude 1:21 Revelations 21:1-7 Page 46

47 אמן Amin Amen. ἀμήν. Amen. Scripture: Psalm 106:48 Hadrian Israel is the president of the Zeitoun University, and also Nazarani Metropolitan. Page 47