Linguistic

Jud. 12:6 Then said they unto him, Say now Shibboleth: and he said Sibboleth: for he could not frame to pronounce it right. Then they took him, and slew him at the passages of Jordan: and there fell at that time of the Ephraimites forty and two thousand.

Speech can betray a person. When I travel I like to listen to travelers speech and try and determine where they come from, what part of the world, or what part of North America they come from just by listening to their accent and pronunciation of words.
(The following is not meant to be derogatory nor offensive in any way)

Hey Yall! Kentucky, Tennessee or most Southern U.S. States. Lets drive around Bahston in ourah Cah. - New England States. Ill take dis, not Id druther have dat. - The Carolinas. She was runnin abowt, the houwse, eh. - Canada. Hey buddy, whdo I look like tyous, Rand McNalley!? - New York. I seem to have spilt a bit of tea on my trousers. - England. Ah, tank you verdy much-ah. - Asia I dooont knoow where day went. - India or Mid East Gday Mate! - Australia Vistch vay did day go? - Russia or Ukraine A good detective will take note of the written and verbal language of a victim and or suspect, paying close attention to enunciation, dialect and slang in order to determine their origins in an attempt to better trace and tract such persons of interest. For instance, In the Northern U.S., people call a carbonated beverage pop, in the Southern U.S. all carbonated beverages, no matter what brand is

called coke. In the some parts of the Eastern U.S. a carbonated beverage is called a soda. Knowing the slang may help give away a where a person comes from. As stated earlier in the above, we explored where the word Igbo came from and how it is related to the word Hebrew. Even Jewish historian Josephus a contemporary of the Rav Shaul (Apostle Paul) wrote in Antiquities of the Jews that, from Eber (Gen. 11:16-22, 14:13, I Chron. 1:25-27) came the word Hebrew which what Jews were first called. It is said that when the warrior clan of the Igbo, the Ohafia warriors came to Nigeria, the locals asked them who they were and they responded, We are Hebrews. According to Eze Chukwuemeka-Eri (the present King who rules over all the Igbo), his Cabinet member Chief Ikenga, said the Ohafia warriors has a war song they sing prior to going to war which tells there they came from. The song basically says that they are Ibrou (An obvious corruption of Hebrew) who strikes fear into the enemy and scatters them. It tells how they journeyed over water and desert and reached Benien, Andoni, Ebeku and finally Aguleri and as a people branched out from there. We know that regardless if Gads sons left before or after the Exodus or both, and regardless of how Paleo-Hebrew differs from Biblical and Modern Hebrew, you would think if these people really are connected to Israel that some linguistic remnants would remain in the Igbo language. It has been noted that the name Igbo in the Igbo Language also may have its origins in the word, Ipugbo and the phrase, I pulu Gboo tupu ndi ozo, meaning, Those who left earlier, hinting that Gads son Eri, the father of the Igbo people and his companions left Egypt prior to the enslavement of the Hebrew People and the Exodus. Eri, one of the sons of Gad is said to have built an altar in honor of the G-d of his father and that night Eri had a dream in which he was given a new name, Igbo. He adopted this new name and also named his fourth son Igbo in honor of this event and new name. Igbo, in English had been give an interpretation; I-GO-Before-Others. The etymological root of the name Igbo was rediscovered by an Anglican missionary and Archdeacon who worked among the Igbo in the 1900s; Rev. G.T.

Basden who also was a respected historian and ethnographer. He too asserted and agreed that the word Igbo was a corruption of the word Hebrew.

Examples of Hebrew words surviving in the Igbo Language

Adapted from: Biblical Evidence Confirming the Hebrew Origin of Igbo People, pg. 33-38, by Uchechukwu Ikeanyibe, Peculiar Heritage Publishing 1999, 2005

The author noted that this is not an exhaustive list, that some words have more than one meaning and that some words have changed so much in meaning and pronunciation that this is the reason some words have not Biblical reference. Hebrew Abia Igbo Abia, a state in Igboland Scripture Reference I Sam. 8:2, Luke 1:5

Abah

Also written Aba, a town in Igboland Abiama, written in such Ex. 3:6 Igbo phrases as Chukwu Abiama (God of Abraham) Abada, wrapa (for titled Neh. 11:7 men) Abije, an Igbo personal name Akor, Ako, meaning shrewed, Ako bu ije Achishi Adah, the title of an Igbo first daughter Gen. 4:9 Name of the first woman in the Bible after Eve/Chavah Gen. 1:26 I Kings 14:1

Abraham

Abda

Abijah

Acho, Achan

Josh. 7:24, 26

Achu Adah

Adam

Adam, my (first) daughter Adammah, beautiful daughter Adiele, an Igbo personal name

Adammah

Josh. 19:35-36

Adiel

I Chron. 4:36

Adina

Adina, Somadina, an Igbo personal name

I Chron. 11:42

Agur

Agu, lion, also a desert, ikpa agu

Prov. 30:1

Ahara or Ahiram

Ahiara, a famous town in Biafra history

I Chron. 8:1

Ahi, Ahiam

Ahia, Ahiam, market, my good, ngwahiam Aja, sand, dust of the earth Akubuo Amadi, an Igbo personal name Amaraya, His (G-ds) Favor Ama-asaa, seven broad ways Amam, my inroad Ammah, inroads to family houses Amoka, a town near Onitsha Anam, the abbreviation for Anambra, the name of a state and town in Nigeria Anammelechi, I am looking unto G-d Anah, ala, earth, land Anachina, land of a

I Chron. 5:15, II Sam. 23:33, Neh. 11:31

Aija

Akkub Amad

Amarih

I Chron. 6:7

Amasa

I Sam. 17:25

Amam Ammah

Neh. 12:7 Josh. 15:26

Amok

Anam

Anammelech

II Kings 17:31

Anah Anachina

town called Achina Anachu Anani Anachu Anani, Obianai, an Igbo I Chron. 3:34 personal name meaning Endurance Ani, earth, land, specifically that of the Delta Igbo area Ara, breast, madness Aram, my breast Ala-eli Aror, Aro, Arochukwu, a Levitical town Asa, a town between Aba and Port Harcourt in Nigeria Attah, a town located in Imo State of Nigeria Ayya, Anya, meaning eye Aziza, broom Azuka Azubuika. Azubuogu Berechiya, lament unto his G-d. Neh. 3:16 I Chron. 7:28 Gen. 46:16, Num. 26:17 Num. 32:33 I Chron. 7:38

Ani

Ara Aram Areli Aroer

Asa

I Kings 15:8

Attah

Ayya

Aziza Azekah Azuba Berechiah

Ezra 10:27 Neh. 3:16

Chema Chinnam

Chima, G-d knows Chinnam, G-d of my father Chioma, G-d knows Chizzayon, G-d of Zion Chinnani, G-d endures Ebere, Mercy, household name Igbo, Ibu, name of a tribal people of Nigeria who stake claim to be descendants of Gad through his son Eri Neh. 9:4 Neh. 12:20

Choma Chizzayon Chenani Eber

Gen. 10:21, 24-25, 11:14-17 Gen. 35:21

Edar, Eder

Edar, a town in Abia Nigeria Eze, King, Chief Ezem, My King Geba, move on Ge-na-isi-isi, go to the beginning Ha-ga-ba, Let them go Heebos, ebos, Ibos, Igbos Iri, ten Iru, face

Ezer Ezem Geba Genesis

I Chron. 7:21 I Chron. 4:29 Neh. 7:48 Gen. 1:1

Hagaba Hebrews

Neh. 7:48

I Sam. 13:19 I Chron. 7:7 I Chron. 4:15

Iri Iru

Illem Lechi Mara Naba Naarah Naamah

Illem, my tongue Lechi, Behold G-d Mara, get to know Naba. go, return Naara, take, receive Na-amah, in the Broadway Naga, keep moving Naka, at hand Nasa, Chin-nasa, G-d replies Naze, a town near Owerri in Nigeria Neni, behold the cow Netaim, netan, visit me Neziah, verily, truly Neri-ya, keep eating it Obi, titles for elders and kings O, Chim, Oh, my G-d Ohadi Ono, Onoh, an Igbo Gen. 46:10 I Chron. 4:23 Neh. 7:56 Jer. 32:12 I Chron. 4:5 Jud. 15:9, 15 Ruth 1:20

Gen. 4:22

Naga Naka Nasa

Nazar

Nehi Netaim Neziah Neriah Obi

Ochim Ohad Ono

personal name Onycha

Ezra 2:33

Onicha, Onitsha, a town in Igboland Ex. 30:34 Raphu, rapu, leave it, let it Dalu, Well done, Thank you Sobe, Sobechukwu, follow G-d Sodi, solodi, follow husband Uba, wealth and an Igbo personal name Ugah, Uga, a town in Anambra State in Nigeria Ummah, an Igbo personal name Uli, a town near Onitsha, well known in Biafra

Raphu

I Chron. 8:37

Salu

Sobe

Sodi

Ubal

Ugah

Ummah

Josh. 19:30

Uri

Ex. 31:32

Uzzia, Uzziah Uzzi

Uzoya, His (G-ds) way I Chron. 11:44 Uzzi, a town near Abakaliki Zaam, (G-d) please answer me Zoba, Chi-Zoba, G-d

I Chron. 6:5

Zaam

Zoba

saves Zibia Ziha

II Sam. 8:3

Dibia, traditional doctor I Chron. 8:9 Ziha, show them Neh. 11:21

Other Linguistic evidence of the Israel/Gad/Eri-Igbo connection is the suffix of the names of places in Igboland: Nnri, Aguleri, Umuleri, Oraeri, etc. Over 85% of the names of Igbo towns and villages are Hebrew, this according to Prof. O. Alaezi.

A Linguistic/Cultural evidence of the Israel/Gad/Eri-Igbo connection is the names which people bear which honors G-d. Hebrew: Names/Titles of G-d: YHWH, Yah, El, Elohim ELiYAHhu (Elijah) = Yah is my G-d YEHoshua (Joshua) = Yehovah Saves ShmuEL (Samuel) = G-d Hears. Igbo: Names/Titles of G-d: Chi, Chukwu, Chineke Chidi/Chuwudi = There is a G-d, G-d Exists. Chizoba = G-d Saves Chidinma = G-d is Good Chibueze = G-d is King Chukwuemeka = G-d has

 AriEL = Lion of G-d

done Great things

There are some phrases that linguistically link the Igbo to Israel/Gad/Eri. The Igbos kept a historical based, oral history that one can trace back to Gads son Eri; unlike the other peoples around them who used legend and myth to establish the origins of their people, claiming their progenitor fell from heaven to establish their people. A phrase heard in Igboland is, Eri fell from heaven (Igwe). It seems that the Igbo adopted the mythos phraseology of the peoples around them and is a perversion of, Eri came from Israel (Jacob) and migrated from Egypt. Mgbe Eri or Eri Mgbe meaning Since/at the time of Eri to signify something a long time ago. Nigeria has 374 ethnic groups, 500 spoken languages and most have some connection to the Igbo tongue. According to the EBS (Edo Broadcasting Service) Fact File in Nigeria said that at least 250 identifiable tribes have distinct dialect yet share many commonalities with the Igbo Language. Oduduwa a companion of Eri as he journeyed from Egypt to Nigeria, father of the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria proves a close Igbo-Yoruba connection and lends credence to the stories because of the close relationship in language that they share. The Jewish origin of the Igbos of Nigeria is as real as Oduduwa (of ancient Babylon) origin of the Yorubas or the Saudi Arabian origin of the Hausa-Fulahs, without of course any prejudice to their (the Ibos) full Nigerian citizenship. Prof. O. Alazi
Please note that some words may appear as duplicates, but though spelled the same some words when pronounced or inflected differently carries a different meaning.

Igbo Odo Obi

Yoruba Odo Oba

Meaning Mortar King

Mu nkea Mu Gidigidi Agoruwa Odumodu

Emikee Ni Girigiri Onagoruwa Oduduwa

Myself I Stampede A Personal Name Progenitor/The Yorubas What How much? Begging/sorry-please Money Mouth Ear Nose Go/left-come Ring Goat Twenty Medicine War, Fight Cane

Gini Ego ole/olee onu ya Ikpe ile Ego Onu Nti Imi Waa Olaka Ewu Ogu Ogwu Ogu Utari

Kini Ole oni Kpere Owo Enu Eti Imu Wa Oruka Ewure Ogun Ogun Ogun Atorin

Okuko Orisa Onowu Isee Okwuta, Okute Umu Sie Suo Ikwikwii Ejima Ako

Akuko Orisa Olowu Ase Okuta Omo Se So Owiwi Ejire Eko

Fowl God Title Amen Stone Children To Cook To Speak Owl Twins Wisdom or Knowledge Oracle Posing Water Bitter Leaf Hand

Afa Garagara Mmiri Onugbu Aka

Ifa Shakara Omu Ewuro Ara

As mentioned earlier, Eris other traveling companions; Edo, Igala and Idoma , thought to be descendants of Esau also share a linguistic connection thus giving weight to the story that they came to Nigeria with Eri.

Igbo Oka Ogba Isee Onowu Odafe Orisa/Olise Ogbe Ugbo Ozala Odibo Onugbu Garagara

Edo/Benin Oka Oka Ise Olowu/Onowu Odafe Orisa Ogbe Ugbo Ozara Odibo Oriwo Garagara

Meaning Corn, Grain Fence Amen A Traditional Title A Traditional Title God Quarters Farm Forest Servant Bitter Leaf Agile

Here are similarities between the Igbo and Igala Languages. Igbo Aka Imi Okwute Isee Ikwikwii Igala Owo Imo Okwuta Ami Owuwu Meaning Hand Nose Stone Amen Owl

Utali Ogu Ogwu Ewu Nti Onu Afo Agba Eze Nti

Itali Ogwu Ogwu Ewo Eti Alu Efu Agba Enyi Nti

Cane War Medicine Goat Ear Mouth Stomach Jaw Teeth Cheek

It is significant to note that while the Ika can communicate with other Igbo people with some of whom they are separated by as much as two hundred and fifty miles, the Ika can never communicate with Ishan, their nearest neighbors a few miles apart except through Ishan, while the Ika does not have to learn the other dialect of Igbo to communicate with the Igbo man. All he does and this is usually mutual is adjust. No amount of adjustments short of learning Ishan, can make an Ika communicate with the Ishan, without using Ishan. F.C. Ogbalu On realizing the Ibo peoples Jewishness, the British Colonial masters began to refer to the Ibo, the Ifites, the Ivites, as Hebrew (English version of Ibrit, Ivrite or Ifite) a name that was corrupted as Heebo, Eboe and finally Ibo. The name Hebrew from where Ibo is derived is simply the English version of the Jewish word Ibrit (pronounced Ivrit). In Hebrew, b is often pronounced as v. For instance, Tel Aviv is written as Tel Abib (see Ezekiel 3:15), but pronounced and now also written as Tel Aviv. In the same way, the name Gavriel in Hebrew is written as Gabriel in English. Interestingly, b is also pronounced as v, in some parts of Ibo nation for example, ibu (load) or ivu (load); edule (ram) or evule (ram); abu (song) or avu (song), and so on. Prof. O. Alaezi: Ibo Exodus p. 13

COMPARISON BETWEEN IGBO AND HEBREW WORDS - Ifeduba ThankGod Tochukwu

1- SIMILARITY BETWEEN THE HEBREW WORD *ANI*(meaning "I") AND THE IGBO WORD *ANYI*(meaning "US") Hebrew word: "ANI" is a Hebrew that means "I" Igbo word: ANYI is an Igbo word that means "US/WE" e.g ANYI na-abia(WE are coming) . ANYI na ebe akwa (WE are crying). ha na Anyi biara (They came with US)

2- SIMILARITY BETWEEN THE HEBREW WORD "AGUR"(compiler, brave one and one who pursuit wisdom) AND THE IGBO WORD "AGU"(lion, crave for food) in the Igbo language Agu means lion and its also a title given to brave individual e.g Agu (odum) biara ani (ana/ala) Igbo (means the brave one who came to igbo nation/land.) Also, agu means craving for food (agur crave for wisdom), hunger.

3- SIMILARITY BETWEEN THE HEBREW WORD "HA"(meaning "the") AND THE IGBO WORD "HA"(meaning THEY) "HA" in Igbo language means THEY e.g Ha na- abia (they are coming) HA bere akwa (THEY cried) 4- SIMILARITY BETWEEN THE HEBREW WORD "AHA YAH (meaning "I AM") AND THE IGBO WORD "AHA YA (meaning "HIS NAME" ) AHA in Igbo language means name. YA sometimes refer to "HIM" e.g AHA YA BU TOCHUKWU (his name is Tochukwu) AHA YA BU CHUKWU ABIAMA (HIS name is God of Abraham)

5- SIMILARITY BETWEEN THE HEBREW WORD "CHAI"(life/living) AND THE

IGBO WORD "CHI"(God-source of all life) the Igbo word for God is "CHI", UKWU means mighty in Igbo language. Hence, CHI UKWU means MIGHTY GOD OR GOD ALMIGHTY the original form for TO-CHUKWU is TO-CHI UKWU but the "I" was removed because in writing, Igbo avoid placing two verbs side by side e.g HA NA ABIA(they are coming) is writing as HA N'ABIA or you separate it with dash HA NA-ABIA

6- SIMILARITY BETWEEN THE HEBREW WORD "URI"(meaning fire/light) AND THE IGBO WORD"URI"( meaning a traditional fire lantern) Uri is a traditional Igbo fire lantern made from the extract of palm fruits. It is damped with palm oil and ignited with fire. Its light is use in the night. In some traditional Igbo society without electricity URI is still in use as a source of light. FIRE LANTERN TRADITIONAL FIRE LANTERN in Igbo language is also known as URI MMU

7- SIMILARITY BETWEEN THE HEBREW WORD "ORRI"(my light) AND THE IGBO WORD "ORIRI (celebration/eating galore) oriri means good celebration in Igbo language. It also means eating 8- SIMILARITY BETWEEN THE HEBREW WORD "ORLI (light to me) AND THE IGBO WORD "ORLU (work, 3rd largest town in imo state) Orlu means work in Igbo and its the name of the third largest town in Imo state. The home of prominent successful business men and politicians. Its like the light of Imo state

9- SIMILARITY BETWEEN THE HEBREW WORD "AMI"(my people) AND THE IGBO WORLD "ANI"(nation/land) Ani in Igbo symbolize the land, nation and people. Grave sin against the people is called NSO ANI meaning what the land forbids.

10- SIMILARITY BETWEEN THE HEBREW WORD "ASA"(to heal or healer)

AND THE IGBO WORD "ASA"(meaning seven and a number of perfection) 11 - Similarity between the Hebrew word "TOVIYAH" (), meaning "Yahweh (GOD) is good"). And the Igbo word "TOVIYA"(praise him). In some Igbo dialect TOVIYA can be pronounce and written as TOBEYA 12- Similarity between the Hebrew word "AMARIAH"(God has said or promised by God) and the Igbo word AMARACHI (grace of God)? 13- Similarity between the Hebrew word "AMARIAH"(God has said or promised by God) and the Igbo word "AMARACHI"(Grace of God)? "Amara" in Igbo language means GRACE, whereas "CHI" means GOD. AMARACHI means GRACE OF GOD we take cognisant of two factors; 1- Phonetically similarity (sound similarity) 2- Literal/figurative similarity (actual similarity in the word meaning) The actually meaning of words maybe lost over time and space but some traces ought to remain. AMARIAH is phonetically similar to AMARACHI, while the former (amariah) mean Promise of God, the latter (amarachi) means GRACE OF GOD. Figuratively, both meaning can be link GRACE AND PROMISE OF GOD

14- Similarity between the Hebrew word "AHAB"(uncle or father's brother) and the Igbo word "AHABUNNA"(this name is father) Ahabu in Igbo language means "THIS NAME IS" AHA means Name in Igbo language. 'BU' means *IS* So AHABU which is more close to Hebrew word AHAB means *NAME IS* Depends on the intonation use in the pronunciation. AHABUNNA may mean *The name is father* or this name is father Aha or afa means name 15- Similarity between the Hebrew word, "BETH"(house) and the Igbo word "BE"(home)? 16- Similarity between the Hebrew word ELIJAH (my God is YAHWEH) and the Igbo word "ELIAJA (consumer of sacrifice/ consume

sacrifice). Aja means sacrifice in Igbo and ELI means to consume or eat. Biblical Elijah is known for calling down Fire of God to consume sacrifice.

17- Similarity between the Hebrew word "Y"( HE) and the Igbo word "YA"(HIM) the components of YHWH, are Y, meaning roughly HE and the consonants root HWH which is connected with acts of creation. There appears to be two main line of reasoning to explain the origin of the name. The first suggest that it is the shortened form of a sentence "HE CAUSES TO BE or HE CREATES. 18- Similarity between the Igbo word YAHME (meaning LET IT BE or LET IT HAPPEN) and the Hebrew word YHWH (Yahweh). The components of YHWH are Y, meaning roughly "he", and the consonantal root HWH, which is connected with acts of creation. There appear to be two main lines of reasoning to explain the origin of the name. The first suggests that it is the shortened form of a sentence used in worship, "he causes to be" or "he creates", from el d yahw abat, "El who creates the hosts", meaning the heavenly army accompanying the god El as he marched out beside the earthly armies of Israel. YAHUWA in Igbo language means LET HIM SEE OR LET HIM BE SEEING YAHUWAH means "The Selfsufficient One" or "The Eternal YAHU CHANA in Igbo languages means LET HIM NOT SEE ALL. Yahuchana/John 17:11-12 Yeshua prayed, "And I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Set-apart Father, keep them in Your Name which You have given Me, so that they might be one, as We are. When I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your Name which You have given Me, and I watched over them, and not one of them perish except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be completed." John 5:43: I have come in My Father's Name and you do not receive Me, if another comes in his own name, him you would receive. Salvation comes only by the Name of YAHUWEH

18- Similarity between Igbo (CHI) and Hebrew (CHAI)? Chai (Hebrew " living" ay) is a symbol and word that figures prominently in Jewish culture. It consists of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet Chet ( ) and Yod (). The Hebrew word ay " living" is related to the term for "life", chaim; ayyim. It appears in the slogan " am yisra el ay!" ( , "The people of Israel live!"). CHI in igbo represent God the source of ALL LIFE AND THE UNIVERSE CHI -UKWU means GOD ALMIGHT INFACT ITS WRITTEN AS CHIUKWU OR CHUKWU! Hence the name *To (praise) CHUKWU OR CHIUKWU = TOCHUKWU OR TOCHIUKWU CHAI also represent LIFE in Hebrew.

I personally have observed that the Name Chukwu Abiama, the title for the supreme Igbo Deity means, The God of Abraham, Abiama being an obvious corruption of Abraham which has its roots in the world Ab meaning father.

The Ch comes from the Hebrew word Chai and the Igbo Chi both meaning Life Source. Ukwu the U could be likened to the Hebrew letter Yod and the K from the Hebrew Koph or Chet so as to preserve the Sacred Name and not actually pronounce it as some of the Orthodox Jews do not want to spell, let alone say the Personal Divine Name of God, they spell His Name YKWK (Yod-Key-Waw-Key) instead of YHWH (Yod-Hey-Waw-Hey) Yahweh. The K replaces the H. the W stands for the Hebrew letter Waw or in Modern Hebrew Vav.

Chineke is Igbo work for God of Life.

Chileke is the Hebrew word meaning, To Create Life.