Aramaic, West in West Bank / Gaza

Introduction / History

The West Aramaic-speaking people in the West Bank trace their roots to the ancient Arameans and Canaanites who inhabited the region for millennia. Aramaic became widely spoken in Palestine by the 8th century BC, replacing Hebrew as the common language by the time of Jesus Christ. While Arabic largely replaced Aramaic after the 7th-century Islamic conquests, traces of the language persisted, especially among Christian communities.

Today, while no Aramaic-speaking villages remain in the West Bank, its influence survives in Christian liturgy, historical place names, and cultural traditions. In particular, certain Palestinian Christian villages, such as Taybeh, maintain historical connections to Aramaic-speaking ancestors, and some religious traditions and prayers still preserve elements of the language. The region’s deep heritage blends Aramaic, Canaanite, Hebrew, Greek, Roman, and Arab influences, reflecting its rich and layered history.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Today, the descendants of West Aramaic-speaking people in the West Bank live much like other Palestinians, primarily identifying as Arab Palestinians. While Aramaic is no longer spoken in daily life, its legacy survives in Christian liturgy, historical memory, and cultural traditions, especially among communities such as the Greek Orthodox, Melkite, and Syriac churches. In villages like Taybeh, some Christian families maintain ancient traditions that reflect their Aramaic heritage, with elements of the language still present in church prayers and rituals. Socially and economically, they face the same challenges as other West Bank residents, including restricted movement, limited economic opportunities, and the broader impact of the Israeli occupation. Many work in agriculture, small businesses, or religious tourism, and some have emigrated abroad in search of stability and better prospects.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The West Aramaic descendants in the West Bank primarily follow traditional Christianity, as their ancestors were among the early Christians in the region. Their beliefs align with the broader Palestinian Christian community, with many belonging to Greek O

What Are Their Needs?

One of their primary needs is preserving their cultural and religious heritage, as many ancient Christian traditions and Aramaic linguistic elements are fading due to modernization and emigration. Economic difficulties, worsened by Israeli occupation, res

Prayer Points

Pray for peace in the West Bank and Gaza.
Pray for them to have the spiritual hunger to seek and find a life changing relationship with Jesus.
Pray that soon there will be disciples making more disciples.

Text Source:   Joshua Project