Definition and Etymology:
The term "Lama" is most notably recognized from the Aramaic phrase "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" which translates to "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" This phrase is found in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, and is a direct quotation from Psalm 22:1. The word "lama" itself means "why" in Aramaic, a language closely related to Hebrew and commonly spoken in the Near East during the time of Jesus.

Biblical References:
The phrase "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" is recorded in Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34. In the Berean Standard Bible, Matthew 27:46 reads: "About the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?' which means, 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?'" Similarly, Mark 15:34 states: "And at the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?' which is translated, 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?'"

Theological Significance:
The utterance of "lama" by Jesus on the cross is deeply significant in Christian theology. It reflects the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, specifically Psalm 22, which is a messianic psalm that foreshadows the suffering of the Messiah. This moment on the cross is seen as a profound expression of Jesus' human experience of abandonment and suffering, as He bore the sins of the world. It underscores the depth of His sacrifice and the reality of His incarnation, experiencing the full weight of human despair and separation from God.

Interpretation and Commentary:
From a conservative Christian perspective, Jesus' cry of "lama" is not an indication of a loss of faith or a break in the divine relationship between the Father and the Son. Rather, it is understood as a moment of intense emotional and spiritual anguish, highlighting the gravity of the atonement. Theologically, it is believed that Jesus, in His humanity, experienced the feeling of abandonment that sin causes, though He Himself was without sin. This moment is pivotal in understanding the sacrificial nature of Christ's death and His role as the mediator between God and humanity.

Cultural and Historical Context:
The use of Aramaic in this cry is significant, as it was the common language of the Jewish people in Palestine during the time of Jesus. This choice of language emphasizes the authenticity and historical context of the Gospel accounts. It also serves to connect the New Testament narrative with the Old Testament scriptures, demonstrating the continuity of God's redemptive plan through history.

Related Topics:
· Psalm 22 and Messianic Prophecy
· The Suffering Servant
· The Atonement and Sacrifice of Christ
· The Humanity and Divinity of Jesus
· Aramaic Language in the New Testament

Conclusion:
The word "lama" in the context of Jesus' crucifixion is a profound expression of the mystery of the cross, where divine love and justice meet. It invites believers to reflect on the depth of Christ's suffering and the magnitude of His love for humanity.(Matthew 27:46), a Hebrew word meaning why, quoted from Psalm 22:1. 1. (n.) See Llama.

2. (n.) In Thibet, Mongolia, etc., a priest or monk of the belief called Lamaism.

ELOI; ELOI; LAMA; SABACHTHA; ELI; ELI; LAMA SABACHTHANI

e'-loi, e-lo'i, la'-ma, sa-bakh-tha'-ni, or (Eloi, eloi, lama sabachthanei):

The forms of the first word as translated vary in the two narratives, being in Mark as first above and in Matthew as in second reading.

With some perversions of form probably from Psalm 22:1 ('eli 'eli lamah `azabhtani). A statement uttered by Jesus on the cross just before his death, translated, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46 Mark 15:34).

There is an interesting but difficult problem in connection with the interpretation of this passage. There seems to be a mixture of Aramaic and Hebrew.

The first two words, whether in Hebrew or Aramaic, have sufficient similarity to each other and each sufficient similarity to the name itself to warrant the jeer that Jesus was calling upon Elias, or the sincere supposition of those who might not fully understand the language, that he was actually calling on Elias.

The forms lema and lama used in Matthew and Mark respectively (Westcott and Hort, The New Testament in Greek) represent the various possible forms, the first the Aramaic, and the second the Hebrew. The various readings and translations of the latter word, sabachthani, only add confusion to an effort at ultimate explanation of the real statement. Certainly the influence of the Aramaic played a geat part in the translation and transmission of the original. The spirit revealed by Jesus in this utterance seems to be very much like that displayed in the Garden when He cried out to have the cup removed from Him.

Walter G. Clippinger

ELI, ELI, LAMA, SABACHTHANI

e'-li or a'-le, la'-ma, sa-bak'-tha-ni.

See ELOI.

LAMA

See ELI, ELI, LAMA, SABACHTHANI.

2982. lama -- why
... 2981, 2982. lama. 2983 . ... Word Origin of Hebrew origin mah with preposition prefix
lamed (for, to) Definition why NASB Word Usage lama (2). lama, why. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2982.htm - 6k

Lama Sabachthani?
... Lama Sabachthani? A Sermon (No.2133). ... "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried
with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 36 1890/lama sabachthani.htm

Pagans.
... Christian dispensation. The worship of the Grand Lama is of the most extensive
and splendid character among the Pagan idolaters. This ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/pagans.htm

Matt. xxvii. 45-48.
... And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, and said, Eli, Eli, lama
sabachthani? that is to say, my God my God, why hast thou forsaken me? ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxxviii matt xxvii 45-48.htm

In Reference to Daniel My Answer Will be that I did not Say that ...
... as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water,"
and in the words used on the cross itself, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani," which ...
/.../33 in reference to daniel.htm

Dwight -- the Sovereignty of God
... Another prostrates himself before the Lama, in consequence of having received his
being in Tibet, and of seeing the Lama worshiped by all around him. ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/dwight the sovereignty of.htm

Synoptical Table
... 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama
sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Mark. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the gospel of peter/synoptical table.htm

The Fourth Word
... THE DEVOTION OF THE THREE HOURS V THE FOURTH WORD. "Eloi, Eloi, lama
sabachthani.""Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34. There are three peculiar ...
//christianbookshelf.org/beibitz/gloria crucis/v the fourth word.htm

Crucified, Dead and Buried
... voice, saying: "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is, being interpreted,
"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?". And some ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter xv crucified dead and.htm

The Saviour's Many Crowns
... whose hair was plucked: A head which at the last in the grim agony of death, crowned
with thorns, gave utterance to the terrible death-shriek"lama sabachthani ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the saviours many crowns.htm

The Death which Gives Life
... the ninth hour.34. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying,
Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the death which gives life.htm

Lama (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ELOI; ELOI; LAMA; SABACHTHA; ELI; ELI;
LAMA SABACHTHANI. e'-loi, e-lo'i, la'-ma, sa-bakh-tha'-ni ...
/l/lama.htm - 9k

Sabachthani (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ELOI; ELOI; LAMA; SABACHTHA; ELI; ELI;
LAMA SABACHTHANI. e'-loi, e-lo'i, la'-ma, sa-bakh-tha'-ni ...
/s/sabachthani.htm - 9k

Eloi (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ELOI; ELOI; LAMA; SABACHTHA; ELI; ELI;
LAMA SABACHTHANI. e'-loi, e-lo'i, la'-ma, sa-bakh-tha'-ni ...
/e/eloi.htm - 9k

Sabachtha
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ELOI; ELOI; LAMA; SABACHTHA; ELI; ELI;
LAMA SABACHTHANI. e'-loi, e-lo'i, la'-ma, sa-bakh-tha'-ni ...
/s/sabachtha.htm - 8k

Eli (36 Occurrences)
... AC Grant. ELOI; ELOI; LAMA; SABACHTHA; ELI; ELI; LAMA SABACHTHANI. e'-loi,
e-lo'i, la'-ma, sa-bakh-tha'-ni, or (Eloi, eloi, lama sabachthanei ...
/e/eli.htm - 24k

O'clock (16 Occurrences)
... Matthew 27:46 but about three o'clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eli, Eli,
lama sabachthani?" that is to say, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me ...
/o/o'clock.htm - 10k

La'ma (2 Occurrences)
La'ma. Lama, La'ma. Lamalama . Multi-Version Concordance La'ma (2 Occurrences).
Matthew ... RSV). Lama, La'ma. Lamalama . Reference Bible.
/l/la'ma.htm - 6k

Ninth (35 Occurrences)
... Mark 15:34 At the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, "Eloi, Eloi,
lama sabachthani?" which is, being interpreted, "My God, my God, why have you ...
/n/ninth.htm - 18k

Loud (222 Occurrences)
... Mark 15:34 At the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, "Eloi, Eloi,
lama sabachthani?" which is, being interpreted, "My God, my God, why have you ...
/l/loud.htm - 37k

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Lama: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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