Knowing the Original Names of the Books in the Scriptures

When most people think of the books in the Scriptures, they likely think of their modern English names: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and so on. However, it’s important to remember that these names are translations, NOT transliterations of their proper names in Hebrew.

For example, the book of Genesis, which tells the story of creation and the early history of humanity, is called “Barashiyth” which means “in the beginning,” and is a fitting title for a book that begins with the story of creation.

Similarly, the book of Exodus, which recounts the Children of Yashra’Al escape from slavery in Matasariym (Egypt), is called “Shamuth” which means “the names,” which refers to the list of names of the Children of Yashar’Al that appears at the beginning of the book.


As you can see, the English translations strip the proper context and meaning of the books. Other examples of original names for books in the Scriptures include Leviticus, which is really “U’Yaqara,” which means “and He called.” The book of Numbers is really “Bamadbar,” which means “in the wilderness,” and Deuteronomy is “Dabariym,” which means “words.” These names may not be as commonly known as their English counterparts, but it is important to know the proper names and meanings of the books in the Scriptures to understand their proper context and meaning.

Original NamesAltered/Transcribed Names
Barashiyth
meaning: “In the beginning”
Genesis
Shamuth
meaning: “The names”
Exodus
U’Yaqara
meaning: “And He called out”
Leviticus
Bamadbar
meaning: “In the wilderness”
Numbers
Dabariym
meaning” “Words”
Deuteronomy
Yahusha
meaning: “Yahuah saves”
Joshua
Shaphatiym
meaning: “Judges”
Judges
Ruth*Ruth
Shamu’Al Alaph (1 Shamu’Al)
meaning: “Heard/hears Alahiym”
1 Samuel
Shamu’Al Biyth (2 Shamu’Al)
meaning: “Heard/hears Alahiym”
2 Samuel
Malakiym Alaph (1 Malakiym)
meaning “1st Kings”
1 Kings
Malakiym Biyth (2 Malakiym)
meaning: “2nd Kings”
2 Kings
Dabariy Hayamin Alaph
meaning: “The matter of days”
1 Chronicles
Dabariy Hayamin Biyth
meaning: “The matter of days”
2 Chronicles
Auzara
meaning: “He helps”
Ezra
NachamYahu
meaning: “Comforted by Yahuah”
Nehemiah
Ayub
meaning: “Persecuted”
Job
Thahaliym
meaning: “Songs of praise”
Psalms
Mashaliy
meaning: “Proverb”
Proverbs
Qahalath
meaning: “Lecturer or conveiner”
Ecclesiastes
Shiyr Ha’Shariym
meaning: “Song of songs”
Song of Songs
YashaYahu
meaning: “Salvation of Yahuah”
Isaiah
YaramYahu
meaning: “Exalt Yahuah”
Jeremiah
Aikah
meaning: “How”
Lamentations
Yachazaq’Al
meaning: “Strengthened of Alahiym”
Ezekiel
Daniy’Al
meaning: “My judge is Alahiym”
Daniel
Husha
meaning: “He saves”
Hosea
Yahu’Al
meaning: “Yahuah is Alahiym or Yahuah is mighty”
Joel
Amus
meaning: “Burdensome”
Amos
AbadYahu
meaning: “Servant of Yahuah
Obadiah
Yunah
meaning: “Dove”
Jonah
MiykaYahu
meaning: “Who is like Yahuah”
Micah
Nachum
meaning: “To comfort; to repent”
Nahum
Chabaquq
meaning: “Embrace”
Habakkuk
TsaphanYahu
meaning: “Hidden by Yahuah”
Zephaniah
Chaggaiy
meaning: “Festival”
Haggai
ZakarYahu
meaning: “Remember Yahuah”
Zechariah
Malakiy
meaning: “My messenger”
Malachi
MathathYahu
meaning: “gift of Yahuah”
Matthew
Marqos* Mark
Luqas*Luke
Yahuchanan
meaning: “Yahuah has favored”
John
Ma’aushiy
meaning: “Journey through a set of [stages] i.e., Acts
Acts
Romans*Romans
Corinthians* Alaph1 Corinthians
Corinthians* Biyth2 Corinthians
Galatians*Galatians
Ephesians*Ephesians
Phillippians*Phillippians
Colossians*Colossians
Thessalonians* Alaph1 Thessalonians
Thessalonians* Biyth2 Thessalonians
Timotheos* Alaph1 Timothy
Timotheos* Biyth2 Timothy
Titus*Titus
Philemon*Philemon
Aubariym
meaning: “Hebrews”
Hebrews
Ya’auqub
meaning: “Supplanter”
James
Kaph Alaph
meaning: “Rock”
1 Peter
Kaph Bet
meaning: “Rock”
2 Peter
Yahuchanan Alaph (1 Yahuchanan)
meaning: “Yahuah has favored”
1 John
Yahuchanan Biyth (2 Yahuchanan)
meaning: “Yahuah has favored”
2 John
Yahuchanan Gamal (3 Yahuchanan)
meaning: “Yahuah has favored”
3 John
Yahudah
meaning: “Yahuah is praised”
Jude
Chazun
meaning: “Vision”
Revelation
*Not of Hebrew origin