Expert: Zoe - 9/22/2006

Question
Zoe,

   Thank you for your informative answer.  I would like to know, however, what is the Ιησούς that preceeded the Greek letters in your reply?

By the way, I have since talked to some Greek people who make it clear that, to them, the spelling and pronunciation of the Name Jesus is not a problem for them.  In other words, I have become very perplexed (actualy shocked) that the "experts" who have written all the text books are so wrong about such an important subject.  The Greek professors in the various siminaries and colleges are teaching that the pronunciation is ee-ay-sooce.  I find this almost unbelievable, considering the fact that, again, they are all wrong.  Again, thank you for your assistance.

Tommy Bryan
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Followup To

Question -
Zoe,

   I realize that Jesus is spelled as Iesous (English spelling), but it seems the text books vary as to the actual Greek spelling.  Some say Iota, Eta, Sigma, Upsilon, Sigma.  Most, however, say Iota, Eta, Sigma, Micron, Upsilon, Sigma.  Why? Which is correct?

      Also, ALL the textbooks say you pronounce it as ee-ay-sooce BUT a Greek film I viewed pronounced it as ee-sooce (no ay).  In addition, a Greek friend of mine said that absolutely -- it is pronounced as ee-sooce.  Why do you suppose the text books say ee-ay-sooce?

     Finally, the Eta is pronounced as ee by Greek speaking people (as in ee-sooce), but the textbooks say "ay".  Why?

     Thank you in advance for any help you can give, as I am working on an important project for a lot of people.

Tommy Bryan

Answer -
Dear Tommy,
the writing and prounouncing of the name Jesus is a very questionable subject that I haven't noticed before.
All I can tell you safety is that the correct writing of Jesus in greek is:Ιησούς,Iota-Eta-Sigma-Omicron-Upsilon-Sigma final.The character upsilon on its own,is pronounced as "ee" so Iesous,can't be written like that.The dipthong omicron-upsilon is pronounced as "oo" so this is the correct writing of the name.
Iesous is also pronounced as ee-sooce,not ee-ay-sooce.
With all the search I did I also noticed that all the text books say that Iesous is pronounced as ee-ay-sooce,but that's wrong,cause as you said Eta is pronounced as "ee" not "ay".I found some addresses you can visit that may help you: http://www.eliyah.com/forum2/Forum10/HTML/002835-2.html
http://www.geocities.com/dabar_olam/Origin-Jesus.htm
http://www.geocities.com/dabar_olam/Gk-spelling.html
I wish I could help you more with the pronunciation of the name but I'm not aware of the reason there are some many pronunciations of it.
Hope you'll find the answer!However if you need to ask me more,don't hesitate to do it.I'll be very glad to help you.
Take care,
Zoe

Answer
Dear Tommy,
I'm really glad that I helped you.
So,Ιησούς is the name Jesus written in greek letters.Sorry I didn't make that clear in my preview answer.
Also,I agree with you about how so many professors are wrong about the pronunciation of the name Jesus.As I told you in my preview answer I hadn't even realised that before you asked me that question.It is unbelievable how wrong they are.
Anyway,hope I helped you this time too.And for further questions,don't hesitate to ask me again.
Take care,
Zoe