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 Y’all!” – Kentucky, Tennessee or most Southern U.S. States.

“Let’s drive around Bahston in ourah Cah.” - New England States.

“I’ll take dis, not I’d druther have dat.” - The Carolinas.

“She was runnin abowt, the houwse, eh.” - Canada.

“Hey buddy, wh’do I look like t’yous, 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 d’ay went.” - India or Mid East

“G’day 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 Sha’ul (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 Gad’s 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 Gad’s 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 1900’s; 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 Igbo Scripture Reference

Abia Abia, a state in I Sam. 8:2, Luke 1:5

Igboland
Abah Also written Aba, a
town in Igboland

Abraham Abiama, written in such Ex. 3:6

Igbo phrases as
“Chukwu Abiama (God
of Abraham)
Abda Abada, wrapa (for titled Neh. 11:7
men)

Abijah Abije, an Igbo personal I Kings 14:1

name

Acho, Achan Akor, Ako, meaning Josh. 7:24, 26

shrewed, “Ako bu ije”

Achu Achishi

Adah Adah, the title of an Gen. 4:9 Name of the

Igbo first daughter first woman in the Bible
after Eve/Chavah

Adam Adam, my (first) Gen. 1:26

daughter

Adammah Adammah, beautiful Josh. 19:35-36

daughter

Adiel Adiele, an Igbo I Chron. 4:36

personal name

Adina Adina, Somadina, an I Chron. 11:42

Igbo personal name

Agur Agu, lion, also a desert, Prov. 30:1

ikpa agu
Ahara or Ahiram Ahiara, a famous town I Chron. 8:1
in Biafra history

Ahi, Ahiam Ahia, Ahiam, market, I Chron. 5:15, II Sam.

my good, ngwahiam 23:33, Neh. 11:31

Aija Aja, sand, dust of the

earth

Akkub Akubuo

Amad Amadi, an Igbo

personal name

Amarih Amaraya, His (G-d’s) I Chron. 6:7

Favor

Amasa Ama-asaa, seven broad I Sam. 17:25

ways

Amam Amam, my inroad Neh. 12:7

Ammah Ammah, inroads to Josh. 15:26

family houses

Amok Amoka, a town near

Onitsha

Anam Anam, the abbreviation

for Anambra, the name
of a state and town in
Nigeria

Anammelech Anammelechi, I am II Kings 17:31

looking unto G-d

Anah Anah, ala, earth, land

Anachina Anachina, land of a

 town called Achina

Anachu Anachu

Anani Anani, Obianai, an Igbo I Chron. 3:34

personal name meaning
“Endurance”

Ani Ani, earth, land,

specifically that of the
Delta Igbo area

Ara Ara, breast, madness I Chron. 7:38

Aram Aram, my breast

Areli Ala-eli Gen. 46:16, Num. 26:17

Aroer Aror, Aro, Arochukwu, Num. 32:33

a Levitical town

Asa Asa, a town between I Kings 15:8

Aba and Port Harcourt
in Nigeria

Attah Attah, a town located in

Imo State of Nigeria

Ayya Ayya, Anya, meaning I Chron. 7:28

“eye”

Aziza Aziza, broom Ezra 10:27

Azekah Azuka Neh. 3:16

Azuba Azubuika. Azubuogu

Berechiah Berechiya, lament unto Neh. 3:16

his G-d.
Chema Chima, G-d knows

Chinnam Chinnam, G-d of my

father

Choma Chioma, G-d knows

Chizzayon Chizzayon, G-d of Zion

Chenani Chinnani, G-d endures Neh. 9:4

Eber Ebere, Mercy, Neh. 12:20

household name
Igbo, Ibu, name of a
tribal people of Nigeria
who stake claim to be
descendants of Gad
through his son Eri Gen. 10:21, 24-25,
11:14-17

Edar, Eder Edar, a town in Abia Gen. 35:21

Nigeria

Ezer Eze, King, Chief I Chron. 7:21

Ezem Ezem, My King I Chron. 4:29

Geba Geba, move on Neh. 7:48

Genesis Ge-na-isi-isi, go to the Gen. 1:1

beginning

Hagaba Ha-ga-ba, Let them go Neh. 7:48

Hebrews Heebos, ebos, Ibos,

Igbos I Sam. 13:19

Iri Iri, ten I Chron. 7:7

Iru Iru, face I Chron. 4:15

Illem Illem, my tongue

Lechi Lechi, Behold G-d Jud. 15:9, 15

Mara Mara, get to know Ruth 1:20

Naba Naba. go, return

Naarah Naara, take, receive I Chron. 4:5

Naamah Na-amah, in the

Broadway Gen. 4:22

Naga Naga, keep moving

Naka Naka, at hand

Nasa Nasa, Chin-nasa, G-d

replies

Nazar Naze, a town near

Owerri in Nigeria

Nehi Neni, behold the cow

Netaim Netaim, netan, visit me I Chron. 4:23

Neziah Neziah, verily, truly Neh. 7:56

Neriah Neri-ya, keep eating it Jer. 32:12

Obi Obi, titles for elders and

kings

Ochim O, Chim, Oh, my G-d

Ohad Ohadi Gen. 46:10

Ono Ono, Onoh, an Igbo

 personal name Ezra 2:33

Onycha Onicha, Onitsha, a town

in Igboland Ex. 30:34

Raphu Raphu, rapu, leave it,

let it I Chron. 8:37

Salu Dalu, Well done, Thank

you

Sobe Sobe, Sobechukwu,

follow G-d

Sodi Sodi, solodi, follow

husband

Ubal Uba, wealth and an

Igbo personal name

Ugah Ugah, Uga, a town in

Anambra State in
Nigeria

Ummah Ummah, an Igbo

personal name Josh. 19:30

Uri Uli, a town near

Onitsha, well known in
Biafra Ex. 31:32

Uzzia, Uzziah Uzoya, His (G-d’s) way I Chron. 11:44

Uzzi Uzzi, a town near

Abakaliki I Chron. 6:5

Zaam Zaam, (G-d) please

answer me

Zoba Zoba, Chi-Zoba, G-d

 saves II Sam. 8:3

Zibia Dibia, traditional doctor I Chron. 8:9

Ziha 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: Igbo:

Names/Titles of G-d: Names/Titles of G-d:

YHWH, Yah, El, Elohim Chi, Chukwu, Chineke

 ELiYAHhu (Elijah) = Yah is  Chidi/Chuwudi = There is a

my G-d G-d, G-d Exists.
 YEHoshua (Joshua) =  Chizoba = G-d Saves
Yehovah Saves  Chidinma = G-d is Good
 Sh’muEL (Samuel) = G-d  Chibueze = G-d is King
Hears.  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 Igbo’s kept a historical based, oral history that one can trace back to Gad’s 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-Fulah’s,
without of course any prejudice to their (the Ibo’s) 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 Yoruba Meaning

Odo Odo Mortar

Obi Oba King

Mu nkea Emikee Myself

Mu Ni I

Gidigidi Girigiri Stampede

Agoruwa Onagoruwa A Personal Name

Odumodu Oduduwa Progenitor/The

Yorubas

Gini Kini What

Ego ole/olee onu ya Ole oni How much?

Ikpe ile Kpere Begging/sorry-please

Ego Owo Money

Onu Enu Mouth

Nti Eti Ear

Imi Imu Nose

Waa Wa Go/left-come

Olaka Oruka Ring

Ewu Ewure Goat

Ogu Ogun Twenty

Ogwu Ogun Medicine

Ogu Ogun War, Fight

Utari Atorin Cane

Okuko Akuko Fowl

Orisa Orisa God

Onowu Olowu Title

Isee Ase Amen

Okwuta, Okute Okuta Stone

Umu Omo Children

Sie Se To Cook

Suo So To Speak

Ikwikwii Owiwi Owl

Ejima Ejire Twins

Ako Eko Wisdom or

Knowledge

Afa Ifa Oracle

Garagara Shakara Posing

Mmiri Omu Water

Onugbu Ewuro Bitter Leaf

Aka Ara Hand

As mentioned earlier, Eri’s 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 Edo/Benin Meaning

Oka Oka Corn, Grain

Ogba Oka Fence

Isee Ise Amen

Onowu Olowu/Onowu A Traditional Title

Odafe Odafe A Traditional Title

Orisa/Olise Orisa God

Ogbe Ogbe Quarters

Ugbo Ugbo Farm

Ozala Ozara Forest

Odibo Odibo Servant

Onugbu Oriwo Bitter Leaf

Garagara Garagara Agile

Here are similarities between the Igbo and Igala Languages.

Igbo Igala Meaning

Aka Owo Hand

Imi Imo Nose

Okwute Okwuta Stone

Isee Ami Amen

Ikwikwii Owuwu Owl

Utali Itali Cane

Ogu Ogwu War

Ogwu Ogwu Medicine

Ewu Ewo Goat

Nti Eti Ear

Onu Alu Mouth

Afo Efu Stomach

Agba Agba Jaw

Eze Enyi Teeth

Nti Nti 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 people’s 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 it’s 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 it’s the name of the third largest town in Imo state. The home of prominent
successful business men and politicians. It’s 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" (‫)היבוט‬, 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 dū yahwī ṣaba’ôt, "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 Self-

sufficient 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 ‫" י‬living" ḥay) is a symbol and word that figures prominently in
Jewish culture. It consists of the letters of the
Hebrew alphabet Chet ( ) and Yod (‫)י‬. The Hebrew word ḥay ‫" י‬living" is related
to the term for "life", chaim; ḥayyim. It appears in the
slogan " am yisra el ḥay!" (‫י‬ ‫ י‬, "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.”