Bible Dictionary

Talitha cumi

Easton's Bible Dictionary 1897

(Mark 5:41), a Syriac or Aramaic expression, meaning, “Little maid, arise.” Peter, who was present when the miracle was wrought, recalled the actual words used by our Lord, and told them to Mark.

Smith's Bible Dictionary 1863

two Syriac words, (Mark 5:41) signifying damsel, arise .

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia 1915

ta-le'-tha koo'-me (talitha koumi): Derived from the Aramaic Talyetha' qumi, "damsel, arise"), which in the New Testament manuscripts is transliterated variously (Westcott-Hort, Taleitha koum, otherwise Talitha koumi). We have no data for determining how far Jesus employed the Aramaic language, but Mark (5:41) notes its use in this tender incident, and there is strong probability that Aramaic was used normally, if not exclusively, by Christ. There is, however, no ground for attributing any magical significance to the use of the Aramaic words in connection with this miracle.