Topical Encyclopedia
The Hebrew language holds a central place in the Judeo-Christian tradition as the original language of the Old Testament, also known as the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh. It is a Semitic language, closely related to Aramaic and Arabic, and is characterized by its unique script and structure. Hebrew is often referred to as Lashon HaKodesh, or "the Holy Tongue," due to its use in sacred texts.
Historical ContextHebrew is one of the oldest languages still in use today, with its origins tracing back to the early Semitic peoples of the ancient Near East. The earliest known inscriptions in Hebrew date back to the 10th century BC. The language evolved over time, with Biblical Hebrew being the form used in the composition of the Old Testament texts.
Biblical UsageThe Old Testament was predominantly written in Hebrew, with a few portions in Aramaic, such as parts of Daniel and Ezra. The Hebrew Bible is divided into three main sections: the Torah (Law), the Nevi'im (Prophets), and the Ketuvim (Writings). Each of these sections showcases the richness and depth of the Hebrew language.
For example,
Genesis 1:1 in the Berean Standard Bible states, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." The Hebrew text, "בְּרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֵת הָאָרֶץ" (Bereshit bara Elohim et hashamayim ve'et ha'aretz), demonstrates the concise and poetic nature of Hebrew, where each word carries significant theological and philosophical weight.
Linguistic FeaturesHebrew is characterized by its root-based morphology, where most words are formed from a three-consonant root. This root system allows for a wide range of meanings and nuances to be expressed through various prefixes, suffixes, and vowel changes. The language is written from right to left, using a script that has evolved over centuries.
The Hebrew alphabet consists of 22 consonants, and originally, the language was written without vowels. Vowel points, known as "nikkud," were later added by the Masoretes between the 6th and 10th centuries AD to aid in pronunciation and preserve the oral tradition.
Theological SignificanceThe Hebrew language is not only a vehicle for the historical and cultural narratives of the Jewish people but also a medium through which divine revelation is communicated. The precision and depth of Hebrew allow for a rich exploration of theological concepts. For instance, the Hebrew word for "peace," "שָׁלוֹם" (shalom), encompasses meanings of completeness, welfare, and harmony, reflecting the multifaceted nature of biblical peace.
In
Psalm 119:105, the psalmist declares, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" . The Hebrew text, "נֵר לְרַגְלִי דְבָרֶךָ וְאוֹר לִנְתִיבָתִי" (Ner l'ragli d'varecha v'or l'ntivati), emphasizes the guiding and illuminating power of God's Word, a theme that resonates throughout the Scriptures.
Revival and Modern UsageAfter centuries of being primarily a liturgical language, Hebrew experienced a revival in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, becoming the official language of the State of Israel in 1948. Modern Hebrew, while distinct from Biblical Hebrew, retains many of its ancient features and continues to be a living language spoken by millions.
The study of Biblical Hebrew remains an essential discipline for theologians, biblical scholars, and students of the Bible, providing deeper insights into the text and its original context. Understanding Hebrew allows for a more nuanced interpretation of Scripture, enriching one's faith and comprehension of God's Word.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Hebrew LanguageHEBREW LANGUAGE
SeeLANGUAGES OF THE OLD TESTAMENT;ARAMAIC.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Hebrew LanguageThe books of the Old Testament are written almost entirely in the Hebrew language. It is a branch of the Shemitic language, one of the three great divisions into which all languages have been reduced. It is one of the earliest of known languages, and some suppose that it was the original language of man.
Greek
1446. Hebrais --Hebrew, the Aramaic vernacular of Pal.... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Hebrais Phonetic Spelling:
(heb-rah-is') Short Definition: the
Hebrew language, Aramaic Definition: the
Hebrew...1444. Hebraikos --Hebrew, the Jewishlanguage.
... 1443, 1444. Hebraikos. 1445 .Hebrew, the Jewishlanguage.... Word Origin
from Eber DefinitionHebrew, the Jewishlanguage.Hebrew....
1447. Hebraisti -- inHebrew, in Aramaic
... in theHebrew tongue. Adverb from Hebrais; Hebraistically or in the Jewish (Chaldee)
language -- in (the)Hebrew (tongue). see GREEK Hebrais....
Strong's Hebrew
762. Aramith -- thelanguage of Aram (Syria)... in the Syrian
language, in Syriac. Feminine of 'Arammiy; (only adverbial)in Aramean --
in the Syrian
language (tongue), in Syriac. see
HEBREW 'Arammiy.
...797. Ashdodith -- in thelanguage of Ashdod
... in thelanguage of Ashdod. Feminine of 'Ashdowdiy; (only adverb) in thelanguage
of Ashdod -- in the speech of Ashdod. seeHEBREW 'Ashdowdiy. 796, 797....
8193. saphah -- lip, speech, edge
... cloth, etc.) -- band, bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge,language, lip, prating,
((sea-))shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words. seeHEBREW caphah....
3066. Yehudith -- Jewish
... in the Jews'language. Feminine of Yhuwdiy; the Jewish (used adverbially)language --
in the Jews'language. seeHEBREW Yhuwdiy. 3065, 3066. Yehudith. 3067 >...
3961. lishshan -- tongue
...language. (Aramaic) corresponding to lashown; speech, ie A nation --language. see
HEBREW lashown. 3960, 3961. lishshan. 3962 . Strong's Numbers.
3956. lashon -- tongue
... and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame, a cove of water) -- +
babbler,bay, + evil speaker,language, talker, tongue, wedge. seeHEBREW lashan....
4911. mashal -- to represent, be like
... Denominative from mashal; to liken, ie (transitively) to use figurativelanguage
(an allegory, adage, song or the like); intransitively, to... seeHEBREW mashal....
1697. dabar -- speech, word
... disease, due, duty, effect, + eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-)ness, + glory, +
harm, hurt, + iniquity, + judgment,language, + lying, manner... seeHEBREW dabar....
Library
Language of the New Testament. 1 in the Character of the Original...
... How congenial theHebrew language is to poetic composition, as well in its rugged
and sublime forms as in its tender and pathetic strains, every reader of the...
Of theHebrew Prophets.
... at the several times carefully preserved in their possession, when they had been
arranged in books by the prophets themselves in their ownHebrew language....
Refutation of Basilides, and of the Opinion that the Prophets...
... 3. If, however, any object that, in theHebrew language, diverse expressions [to
represent God] occur in the Scriptures, such as Sabaoth, Elo?�, Adonai, and...
About theHebrew Written Characters which thatLanguage Always...
... Now we must not believe that Heber, from whose name the wordHebrew is derived,
preserved and transmitted theHebrew language to Abraham only as a spoken...
Language and Style.
... Still we must remember that theHebrew language was fond of paronomasi??, and
that Daniel employs the figure in the canonical book (v.25-28)....
That the OriginalLanguage in Use among Men was that which was...
... But Peleg was mentioned, not because he founded a nation (for his race andlanguage
areHebrew), but on account of the critical time at which he was born, all...
A Look into theHebrew Bible.
... The Palestinian collection, so called, was written in theHebrew language, and
the Alexandrian collection, called the Septuagint, in the Greek....
Language and Style.
... the real prophecy of Habakkuk was undoubtedlyHebrew, and this piece, whether genuine
or fictitious, would hardly have been appended in anotherlanguage....
Language and Style.
... are very guarded, not absolutely denying the existence of aHebrew text, but... The
following are some specific indications oflanguage which appear to be of...
The Gospel of Matthew
... interpreted them as he was able." It is clear from the original that in these words
the emphasis falls on the phrase "in theHebrew language." But Papias does...
Resources
What is the meaning of the Hebrew word hesed? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is antithetical parallelism in Hebrew poetry? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is synonymous parallelism in Hebrew poetry? | GotQuestions.orgHebrew: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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Bible Encyclopedia •
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