Hebrew Alphabet vs. Samaritan Alphabet (Side-by-Side)
| Hebrew | Samaritan | Hebrew Name / Samaritan Name |
|---|---|---|
| א | ࠀ | Alef / Alaf |
| ב | ࠁ | Bet / Bit |
| ג | ࠂ | Gimel / Gaman |
| ד | ࠃ | Dalet / Dalat |
| ה | ࠄ | He / Iy |
| ו | ࠅ | Vav / Baa |
| ז | ࠆ | Zayin / Zen |
| ח | ࠇ | Chet / It |
| ט | ࠈ | Tet / Tit |
| י | ࠉ | Yod / Yut |
| כ or ך | ࠊ | Kaf / Kaaf |
| ל | ࠋ | Lamed / Labat |
| מ or ם | ࠌ | Mem / Mim |
| נ or ן | ࠍ | Nun / Nun |
| ס | ࠎ | Samekh / Singaat |
| ע | ࠏ | Ayin / In |
| פ or ף | ࠐ | Pe / Fi |
| צ or ץ | ࠑ | Tsadi / Tsaadiy |
| ק | ࠒ | Qof / Quf |
| ר | ࠓ | Resh / Rish |
| ש | ࠔ | Shin / Shan |
| ת | ࠕ | Tav / Taaf |
The Paradox of the Hebrew vs. Samaritan Alphabet
It is a paradox that what we call the “Hebrew alphabet” today is actually the Assyrian (square) script (Ktav Ashuri, כתב אשורי), borrowed from Aramaic, while the Samaritan script—which is largely forgotten outside of Samaritan communities—is actually a direct descendant of the ancient Paleo-Hebrew script used by the Israelites before the Babylonian Exile.
In other words, the Samaritans, who were historically marginalized by mainstream Judaism, preserved the original Hebrew script, while the Jewish community, which considers itself the true heir of Israelite tradition, abandoned it in favor of a foreign-derived script.
This paradox highlights the complex nature of cultural and religious identity—where what is considered “authentic” often evolves based on historical necessity rather than direct continuity.
Historical Context: During the Babylonian Exile (586-538 BC), many Israelites were displaced and exposed to different cultures and scripts. The adoption of the Assyrian script likely began during this period as a means to integrate with and adapt to the dominant Aramaic culture.
Sociopolitical Context: The Assyrian script’s adoption could have been influenced by the political necessity to align with powerful neighboring civilizations. This move might have facilitated trade, communication, and administrative tasks within the broader Mesopotamian region.
Comparative Analysis: The Assyrian script is characterized by its square shapes and distinct letterforms, while the Samaritan script retains more of the ancient angular and linear features of the Paleo-Hebrew script. Here’s an example to illustrate the differences:
| Script | Origin | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Assyrian (square) | Aramaic | Square shapes, widely used in Jewish texts |
| Samaritan | Paleo-Hebrew | Angular forms, preserved by Samaritan community |
Preservation Efforts: Today, the Samaritan community continues to use and preserve the Samaritan script in their religious texts and daily life. Efforts to document and study the script have been made by both the community and scholars, highlighting its cultural significance.
Notable References: Historical texts, archaeological findings, and academic sources support this information, offering a rich foundation for understanding the evolution and preservation of these scripts.