Learn How to Pronounce êli, êli, lama sabachthani

Quick Answer: In Aramaic, the phrase êli, êli, lama sabachthani is pronounced əlahí əlahí ləmáh šəvaqtáni.
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Meaning and Context

"Êli, êli, lama sabachthani" is the anguished cry of Jesus Christ from the cross, recorded in the Gospels of Matthew (27:46) and Mark (15:34) as a pivotal moment in the Passion narrative. This Aramaic phrase, transliterated from the original language of Jesus, translates to "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" and represents a profound theological paradox: the divine Son experiencing a sense of abandonment by the Father. In Christian doctrine, this utterance is interpreted not merely as an expression of human despair but as a deliberate invocation of Psalm 22, thereby fulfilling Messianic prophecy and symbolizing Jesus bearing the full weight of human sin and separation from God. The cry is central to discussions of the atonement, the humanity of Christ, and the mystery of the crucifixion, making it a frequent subject of exegesis, sermons, and artistic depictions. Its raw emotional power and deep scriptural significance ensure its enduring resonance in Christian theology, liturgy, and spiritual reflection on suffering and redemption.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The phrase "êli, êli, lama sabachthani" has several variant spellings and common transliterations due to its journey from Aramaic through Greek manuscripts into English and other languages. The most frequent alternate spelling is "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani," where the circumflex accents are dropped and the initial "l" in "lama" is rendered as "lema," reflecting different Greek manuscript traditions. Another common version is "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani," as found in Mark's Gospel, which uses a slightly different Aramaic form for "My God" (Eloi). Common misspellings and typos include "Eli, Eli, lama sabachtani" (omitting the 'h'), "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthanai" (adding an extra syllable), or "Eli, Eli, lama zabachthani" (substituting 'z' for 's'). The term "sabachthani" itself is often misspelled as "sabacthani" or "sabachthanee." In searches, users may also employ simplified queries like "Eli Eli lama sabachthani meaning" without diacritics, which is the most common modern form.

Example Sentences

In his sermon on Good Friday, the pastor emphasized that Jesus's cry of "êli, êli, lama sabachthani" reveals the depth of his identification with human despair.

Theologians have debated for centuries the precise theological implications of the moment Christ uttered "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" from the cross.

The artist's haunting painting depicted the crucifixion scene with the Aramaic words "êli, êli, lama sabachthani" inscribed in the foreground, visually anchoring the work in the biblical narrative.

When studying the Passion accounts, one cannot overlook the powerful fulfillment of Psalm 22 that is encapsulated in the phrase "êli, êli, lama sabachthani."

Many believers find profound comfort in the knowledge that even in their darkest moments of feeling abandoned, their experience is mirrored in Christ's own cry of "lama sabachthani."

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