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 Context Hebrew 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 Usage The 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 Features Hebrew 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 Significance The 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 Usage After 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 See LANGUAGES 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 ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1446.htm - 6k 1444. Hebraikos -- Hebrew, the Jewish language. 1447. Hebraisti -- in Hebrew, in Aramaic Strong's Hebrew 762. Aramith -- the language 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. ... /hebrew/762.htm - 6k 797. Ashdodith -- in the language of Ashdod 8193. saphah -- lip, speech, edge 3066. Yehudith -- Jewish 3961. lishshan -- tongue 3956. lashon -- tongue 4911. mashal -- to represent, be like 1697. dabar -- speech, word Library Language of the New Testament. 1 in the Character of the Original ... Of the Hebrew Prophets. Refutation of Basilides, and of the Opinion that the Prophets ... About the Hebrew Written Characters which that Language Always ... Language and Style. That the Original Language in Use among Men was that which was ... A Look into the Hebrew Bible. Language and Style. Language and Style. The Gospel of Matthew Resources What is the meaning of the Hebrew word hesed? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is antithetical parallelism in Hebrew poetry? | GotQuestions.org What is synonymous parallelism in Hebrew poetry? | GotQuestions.org Hebrew: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
    |