What is a…
Barbarian

Greek: βάρβαρος —transliteration: barbaros —meaning: barbarous or barbarian (a foreigner who speaks neither Greek nor Latin) —occurrences: 6 (in Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians and Colossians)

Nowere in Scripture does this word bear the meaning it does in modern times.

This is a Greek word used in the New Testament (Romans 1:14) to denote one of another nation.

In Col. 3:11, the word more definitely designates those nations of the Roman empire that did not speak Greek or Latin.

In 1 Corinthians 14:11, it simply refers to one speaking a different language.

The kind and helpful inhabitants of Melita (Malta) are were called “barbarians” (Acts 28:1-2, 4) for the same reason; they apparently did not speak Greek or Latin. They were originally a Carthaginian colony.

Languages of biblical times

• About the Greek language
• About the Latin language
• About the Accadian language
• About the Canaanite languages
• About the ancient Hebrew language
• About the Chaldee language
• About the Elamite language
• About the Syriac / Syriac Aramaic language
• What is the confusion of languages at Babel?
• About writing in Biblical times
• About Cuneiform writing