عيسى
Arabic
Etymology
The form is first attested in the Koran and is of uncertain origin. While the Christian Arabic name يسوع (Yasūʽ) can be considered a phonetically regular equivalent of Hebrew ישוע (Yešūaʽ), which is and has been believed to be Jesus’ historic name, the Koranic عيسى (ʽĪsā) seems to be a phonetic modification. Several theories have been brought forward to explain why the letter ayn was apparently shifted from the last to the first position. It has been noted that ayn was not pronounced in some dialects of Aramaic, including that likely spoken by Jesus himself (compare for this Hebrew ישו). Moreover, there are indications that an unetymological word-initial ayn may have occurred more often in Arabic loans from Aramaic. Another popular theory, however unacceptable for Muslims, is that Muḥammad or whoever compiled the Qurʾăn confused Jesus with Esau, in Arabic عيسو (ʽĪsaw)—possibly due to an anti-Christian nickname used by Arabian Jews. For more information, see Isa (name) on wikipedia.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ʕiː.saː/
Proper noun
عِيسَى • (ʿīsā) m
Declension
Singular | singular invariable | ||
---|---|---|---|
Indefinite | Definite | Construct | |
Informal | — | عِيسَى ʿīsā |
— |
Nominative | — | عِيسَى ʿīsā |
— |
Accusative | — | عِيسَى ʿīsā |
— |
Genitive | — | عِيسَى ʿīsā |
— |
Usage notes
عِيسَى (ʿīsā) is used almost exclusively in Islamic contexts. Arabic-speaking Christians call Jesus يَسُوع (Yasūʽ), which is also the name generally used in secular contexts.
Related terms
- يَسُوع (yasūʿ)
- عِيسَوِيّ (ʿīsawiyy)
See also
- مَسِيح (masīḥ, “Messiah, Christ”)
- (Islamic prophets) آدَم (ʾādam), إِدْرِيس (ʾidrīs), نُوح (nūḥ), هُود (hūd), صَالِح (ṣāliḥ), إِبْرَاهِيم (ʾibrāhīm), لُوط (lūṭ), إِسْمَاعِيل (ʾismāʿīl), إِسْحَاق (ʾisḥāq), يَعْقُوب (yaʿqūb), يُوسُف (yūsuf), أَيُّوب (ʾayyūb), ذُو الْكِفْل (ḏū l-kifl), شُعَيْب (šuʿayb), مُوسَى (mūsā), هَارُون (hārūn), دَاوُد (dāwūd), سُلَيْمَان (sulaymān), يُونُس (yūnus), إِلْيَاس (ʾilyās), الْيَسَع (al-yasaʿ), زَكَرِيَّا (zakariyyā), يَحْيَى (yaḥyā), عِيسَى (ʿīsā), مُحَمَّد (muḥammad) (Category: ar:Islamic prophets)