Overview of Biblical Hebrew - PDF Free Download

Before I begin this presentation of Biblical Hebrew, I want you to know that I recognize that not everyone has the time to study Biblical Hebrew; but, I know many of you realize the importance of being able to look at the Hebrew text that is behind the English translations of the Bible. 2

If you fall into this category, you will get a lot out of this presentation that will help you to do just that. In addition, you will learn about certain resources that can help you study more effectively, and you will learn some things you need to be aware of as you use these resources. As we cover this information, I will do my best to point out a few things that will help you to avoid certain errors when looking at the Hebrew text. 3

For those who want to gain some level of proficiency in Hebrew, this presentation will set you well on your way to see the big picture of the language and prepare you for the details of what you need to learn along the way. I guarantee you, this is one of the most helpful things you can do before attempting to learn a foreign language. 4

Before you start to look at verses and words in Hebrew, you need to learn the alphabet and understand that Hebrew is written right to left. If you don t already know the Hebrew alphabet, you can learn it as soon as possible. This requires repetition on your part. 5

Aleph-Bet Letter Final Form Name/# Pronunciation א Aleph; 1 (silent) Bet, Vet; 2 ב, ב = v as in vote ב boy; = b as in ב ג Gimmel; 3 G as in gimmick ד Dalet; 4 D as in doll ה He; 5 H as in hey ו Vav; 6 V as in vote (Note Vav can also be spelled Waw) ז Zayin; 7 Z as in zoo 6

Aleph-Bet Letter Final Form Name/# Pronunciation ח Het; 8 Ch as in Bach ט Tet; 9 T as in toy י Yod; 10 Y as in yellow Kaf, Kha; 20 ך כ, כ ל Lamed; 30 L as in look ם מ Mem; 40 M as in me ן נ Nun; 50 N as in name Ch as in Bach ך /כ keep; K as in כ 7

Aleph-Bet Letter Final Form Name/# Pronunciation ס Samech; 60 S as in sin ע Ayin; 70 (silent) Peh, Feh; 80 P as in pay; F as in fame ף פ, פ ץ צ Tsade; 90 Ts as in cats ק Qof; 100 K as in key ר Resh; 200 R as in rate 8

Aleph-Bet Letter Final Form Name/# Pronunciation ש Shin; 300 Sh as in shoe ש Sin; 300 S as in sin ת Tav; 400 T as in toy Hebrew uses dots, dashes, and other symbols for vowels and accents. These are outside the scope of this presentation. 9

As you begin to explore Biblical Hebrew, I suggest any of the following resources: Bible software with Hebrew resources that are on-line or off-line. Depending on what you use, you may need to download the Hebrew fonts onto your computer that are used on a particular web site. 10

Computer software includes programs such as: Blue Letter Bible free, on-line CD available for donation esword free, for off-line use PC Study Bible Bible Works Logos Accordance 11

Several printed concordances and lexicons to consider: Strong s Concordance Englishman s Hebrew Concordance of the Old Testament Word Study Concordance Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB) Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (TWOT) Analytical Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis 12

Use an Interlinear Bible (English equivalent is directly under the Hebrew text) until you can do without it. Avoid parallels (text is side by side) Avoid small font size look at the text before you buy!!! DO NOT GET: The Interlinear Hebrew-Greek-English Bible, One-Volume Edition by Jay P. Green. The Hebrew is impossibly tiny. CONSIDER: Hebrew-English Interlinear Old Testament Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (BHS)/English Standard Version (ESV) or something else. 13

A Strong s Concordance shows how a particular Greek or Hebrew word is translated in the English version of the Bible. It is not a lexicon. An Englishman s Concordance lists all the verses where a particular Greek or Hebrew word is used. A lexicon is a dictionary for Greek and Hebrew words. 14

Overview of Biblcal Hebrew Blue Letter Bible has various Bible versions, and clickable links to access reference tools. 15

Blue Letter Bible is found at https://www.blue letterbible.org/ 16

Englishman s Concordance, PC Study Bible 18

Hebrew Grammars: I suggest using a grammar with an inductive approach to learning Hebrew for beginners, as opposed to a seminary level grammar. Get at least two grammars (one that is inductive or for self-study, and another that is recommended for seminary use). Learn Biblical Hebrew by John H. Dobson (with CD) = inductive The First Hebrew Primer: The Adult Beginner's Path to Biblical Hebrew, Third Edition 2005 by Ethelyn Simonand Linda Motzkin. Order book and audio CD from http://www.ekspublishing.com/biblical-hebrew Introducing Biblical Hebrew by Allen Ross (Charles Grebe teaches this text at http://www.animatedhebrew.com/lectures/index.html for FREE donations accepted). Biblical Hebrew A Compact Guide Copyright 2012 by Miles V. Van Pelt. Zondervan. 19

Once you start to look at verses and words in Hebrew, you ll see that some words appear in a Hebrew lexicon or concordance the same way they do in the verse being studied. These can be words like: Proper nouns Prepositions Masculine singular nouns and adjectives Certain 3 rd person, masculine, singular verbs Interrogative pronouns 20

Example of proper noun from esword 21

Additionally, you may be surprised to notice that some words in Scripture aren t spelled exactly the same as they are in a concordance or lexicon. There are a variety of reasons for this. 22

Hebrew words often have prefixes and/or suffixes attached to them. These need to be removed in order to recognize the lexical form of the Hebrew word. 23

III-II-I I-Nun verb: Conjunctive vav (prefix) followed by 3 rd person masculine plural suffix for hiphil perfect verb. Note the addition of a ה, a dot (dagesh), and the change in vowel י) ) in the hiphil form of the perfect verb. Example from PC Study Bible V5 24

Hebrew prefixes can be: ;[ה An interrogative (?) particle [usually ;[ה The definite article (the) [usually [ו The conjunctive vav (and, but, then) [usually Inseparable prepositions [such as Verb prefixes (imperfect verbs) ;[כ,ל, ב Care should be used to make sure you do not remove one of these letters when it is really part of the original word itself. 25

Genesis 1:1 ב ר א אראש ית ב א ל ה ים א ת ה ש מ י ם וא ת ה א ר ץרץ = in the beginning ב אראשית = he created (3 rd person, masc. sing. perfect ב ר א verb) = the heavens ה ש מ י ם (את) = and + definite direct object marker ו את = the earth ה א ר ץרץ 26

(אץת) In English we don t have a direct object marker that points out a definite direct object. Example of a direct object with a definite article (the): Lee played the keyboard. Subject + verb + Definite Article + Direct Object If we were to write this with a definite direct object marker, it might look like this: Lee played אץת ( ) the keyboard. 27

Hebrew suffixes can be: Feminine endings for adjectives and nouns Plural endings for adjectives and nouns Pronominal suffixes (possessive or objective for gender and number) The Directional particle Verb suffixes for gender and number 28

Feminine plural suffix 29

Pronominal Suffix The yod indicates this is a masculine plural noun. 30

(א ד ון ( Adon Pronominal Suffixes on Transliteration # Hits Meaning Person & Number א ד נ י Adonai 420 LORD; YHVH Plural in form א ד נ י Adonai 1 My lords 1 common plural (see Genesis 19:2) א ד ני Adoniy 167 My lord 1 common singular 31

Incidentally, א ד נ י means sir in modern Hebrew. 32

Other changes in words may also be seen: In vowels of verbs, nouns, and adjectives; At the end of constructs (a form of a word) which show possession. it means lord ;(א ד ון ( Adon is a construct form of א ד נאי of 33

Overview of Biblical Hebrew Another example of a construct chain: let them have dominion over the fish בדג ת ( of construct) ה י ם ( sea the absolute) (Gen 1:26 NKJ) Example from BibleWorks 9 34

2 Samuel 2:1 Here s an example of one interrogative Heh (prefix) and two.( ה = (suffix directional particles This is from The Hebrew-English Interlinear ESV Old Testament by Crossway. 35

Part II 36

When you are using a Hebrew lexicon, it is important to have an over-all view of the Hebrew verbal system. Verbs are probably the most important, time consuming, and difficult part of learning Biblical Hebrew. 37

Verbs are composed of a 3-consonantal root called a shoresh. Each letter of the root is numbered (right to left): III II I These become important when identifying weak verbs; these usually involve guttural letters (,א,ח,ה,ע (ר in one of these 3 positions. 38

Depending on the form of the verb, prefixes and/or suffixes are added to identify the person(s) doing the action of the verb. Sometimes a second suffix, called a pronominal suffix is also added to indicate a direct object that is a personal pronoun. I saw him. Subject (1 st, 2 nd, or 3 rd person) + Verb-- Direct Object = Personal Pronoun 39

III-II-I Root - (ה- III ) 1 st person, common singular, perfect - ) י) 2 nd person masculine singular pronominal suffix. צו יתי ך 40

The shoresh is the root or stem of a verb. Another word we need to know is binyan; it comes from the root/verb ב נ ה (banah) which means build. Binyanim (plural) result from certain changes to the verb s stem. Each binyan has a name based on how the verb is built. 41

Different verbal stems [binyan (sg) or binyanim (pl)] are formed with a 3-consonantal root (shoresh) by: Changing the vowel points; Sometimes by adding a dot called a dagesh; Sometimes by adding a prefix. Be aware that some verbs have: Bi-consonantal roots (only two root letters) Missing root letters (either I or III) 42

Binyan 3 rd Person, Masc. Sing. Perfect 3 rd Person, Masc. Sing. Imperfect י קט ל ק ט ל Qal Niphal Piel Pual Hitpael Hiphil Hophal נ קט ל י ק טאל י ק ט אל קט אל י ק ט ל ק ט ל התק ט אל יתק ט אל הקטיל י קטיל ה קט ל י קט ל Here I just want you to note that there are different prefixes, dageshes, and vowel changes in the various binyanim for the verb qatal (to kill). 43

It is outside the scope of this presentation to teach you everything regarding the construction of every verb form. For now we will try to stay as general as possible while giving you basic information you need to know whether or not you choose to pursue studying Biblical Hebrew. 44

Before I give a general overview of the binyanim, we need to understand what active, passive, and reflexive is. Active = when the subject is doing the action. The boy (subject) hit the ball. Passive = when the subject is receiving the action. The boy (subject) was hit by the ball. Reflexive = when the subject does something to himself. The boy (subject) hit himself with the ball. 45

The 7 major (most common) binyanim are: Qal = active voice, simple basic action Niphal = passive voice, simple basic action Piel = active voice, intensive action, causes state to exist Pual = passive voice, intensive action Hitpael = reflexive voice, intensive action Hiphil = active voice, causal action Hophal = passive voice, causal action The vast majority of the verbs in Scripture are Qal. (Note: Slight spelling differences in the binyanim may be seen in various grammars.) 46

You may see a few more binyanim mentioned in your lexicon or grammar that are considered to be minor: These are used with bi-consonantal and geminate (twin) roots. Polel same meaning as Piel (active voice, intensive action) Polal same meaning as Pual (passive voice, intensive action) Hitpolel same meaning as Hitpael (reflexive voice, intensive action). 47

This description of the binyanim is very basic. There are more specific uses of the binyamin that affect a verb s meaning. You ll have to learn these from a Hebrew grammar. It s also important to consult your lexicon for the meanings of the various binyanim. 48

Verbal stems (binyanim) affect a root s meaning; not its function within a discourse (a section of writing). If your lexicon gives you meanings for a verb s various binyanim, you must consider only the definitions for the specific binyan in the verse you are looking at. 49

Your computer software should tell you what binyan is used in the verse you are looking at. If you aren t using computer software, you can also consult the Analytical Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon. BTW, Hebrew verbs do not always exist in every possible binyan. 50

Let me ask you a question 51

Did you ever ask your mom how to spell a word and have her tell you to look it up in the dictionary? 52

Did you ever ask your mom how to spell a word and have her tell you to look it up in the dictionary? If so, did you ever think she was crazy? 53

Did you ever ask your mom how to spell a word and have her tell you to look it up in the dictionary? If so, did you ever think she was crazy? After all, you have to know how to spell the word if you re going to look it up. 54

The reason is because the 3 rd person, masculine, singular, qal perfect is the lexical form of a verb whether or not the qal binyan even exists for that verb. 56

If you don t have computer software, this means you might have to remove parts of the verb you are looking at to figure out what the 3 rd person, masculine singular form is before you can look up the word. 57

ה- III Example from Bible Works 9 58

III-II-I Example from PC Study Bible V5 Professional Reference Library 59

ב אראש ית ב ר א perfect) (Qal, א ל ה ים א ת ה ש מ י ם ו א ת ה א ר ץרץ 60

From Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon, print version 61

The Analytical Hebrew and Chaledee Lexicon shows the various forms words can take. 62

Hebrew grammar books use either qatal ק ט ל) = to kill) or paqad פ ק ד) = to visit) as their paradigm verb to show the various prefixes and suffixes that can be attached to a shoresh (root). These 2 verbs are called strong verbs because they do not contain guttural letters (,ע,ח,ה,א (ר and they change predictably throughout the paradigm. Every binyan has its own chart for person (1st-3rd), number (sg/pl), and gender (m/f). 63

Because weak verbs have one or more guttural letters in their root, their vowels do not always (ר,ע,ח,ה,א ( change exactly the same as strong verbs. Other verbs have missing root letters or are biconsonantal. These and weak verbs have their own paradigm lists. 64

Verb paradigm charts are usually found in the back of grammar books and some software programs have them available for review. In Bible Works: Resources/Hebrew Grammars/Hebrew Paradigms. Select the type of verb you want to look at under the contents tab. 65

In Scripture, verbs appear in different forms. Verbal paradigms exist for the binyanim in these forms: Perfect [also known as qatal (ק ט ל) or suffix conjugation] Imperfect [also known as yiqtol (יקט ל) or prefix conjugation] Participles [active and/or passive depending on the binyan] Infinitives [construct and absolute] Volitionals [Jussives (3p), Imperatives (2p), Cohortatives (1p)] Defining all of these is outside the scope of this presentation but we ll look briefly at the first two. 66

Before we look at perfect and imperfect verbs, we need to understand that there is not really any tense in Hebrew as there is in English. In other words, verb form does not necessarily indicate tense. 67

Generally speaking: The perfect (qatal) verb can be used to describe: completed action a state of being perception or attitude The imperfect (yiqtol) verb can describe past, present, or future incomplete action. 68

If you are planning to learn and read Biblical Hebrew, you need to memorize and/or recognize the verb conjugations (inflections) in the following two paradigm charts for strong verbs. You will often need to consult paradigm charts, an analytical lexicon, or computer software to know for sure what verb form (especially of weak verbs) you are looking at. 69

Qal Perfect (Qatal) ק רטל ו 3cp ק ט ל 3ms 3fs ק רטל ה קט ל תם ץ 2mp ק ט לת 2ms 2fs קט ל תן ץ 2fp ק ט לת ק ט לנ ו 1cp ק ט ל תי 1cs The suffixes of a perfect verb identify the person of the verb which must agree in number and gender with the accompanying noun or pronoun. This is only for the qal perfect; there is one of these charts for every perfect binyan. 70

3ms 3fs 2ms 2fs 1cs Qal Imperfect (Yiqtol) י קטל ו 3mp י קט ל ת קט לנ ה 3fp ת קט ל ת קטל ו 2mp ת קט ל ת קט לנ ה 2fp ת קטלי נ קט ל 1cp אץקט ל The prefixes and suffixes of a verb identify the person of the imperfect verb which must agree in number and gender with the accompanying noun or pronoun. This is only for the qal imperfect; there is one of these charts for every imperfect binyan. 71

A verb form not yet mentioned is: Wayyiqtol (pronounced va-yiqtol, spelled Hebrew grammars may call it: Converted imperfect Imperfect with Vav consecutive Future with Waw conversive Future wapc (Vav + Prefix Conjugation) It s basically a vav + imperfect verb..( ו י קט ל 72

Another verb form is: Weqatal (pronounced ve-qatal, spelled Hebrew grammars may call it: wsc (vav + Suffix Conjugation) It s basically a vav + perfect verb.. ו ק ט ל 73

When a vav precedes a verb, it often reverses the usual tense of the verb; in such an instance it s known as a reversing vav. 74

These two verb forms, the wayyiqtol and weqatal are very common in Scripture. They are 2 kinds of mainline verbs. 75

Mainline verb forms move the Biblical Narrative forward. Historical Narrative: Wayyiqtol; Embedded Weqatal in procedural discourse; or isolated Weqatal in pivotal/climatic events Predictive Narrative and Instructional Discourse: Weqatal; or occasional imperative Hortatory Discourse (influence someone s behavior): Volitionals [Jussive(3 rd ), Imperative (2 nd ), Cohortative (1 st )] Weqatals for Mitigated (less intense) Hortatory Discourse 76

ר ר Overview of Biblical Hebrew 1 Samuel 1:19 (Wayyiqtol X3) ו י ש כמו ב ב קץר Then they rose up early (hiphil, 3mp) in the morning י שת חו ו לפנאי יהו ה ו And they worshipped (hishtaphel, 3mp) before YHVH ו י שבו And they returned (qal, 3mp)

Genesis 3:18 (Weqatal) וא כ לת אץת עא ץשב ה ש ץדה And you shall eat (Qal, 2ms) the herb of the field. Construct chain Showing possession 78

ר Overview of Biblical Hebrew Numbers 14:13 ו י אמץר מ ץשה אץל י הו ה And Moses said (wayyiqtol, Qal, 3ms) to Yahweh, ו שמע ו מצר ים "Then the Egyptians will hear (weqatal, Qal, 3cp) כי הץע ל ית בכ ח ך אץת ה ע ם ה ז ץה מק רב ו For you had brought up (qatal, Hiphil, 2ms) these people by your might from among them. 79

Off-line verb forms slow down the movement of the Biblical Narrative. A few examples include: X-qatal or X yiqtol Shifts focus (subject = X that precedes the verb) Normally, the subject comes after the verb Verbs that give relative background information Qatal - In the past Yiqtol - In the non-past Dependent clauses begin with.כי, or אם, א ץשר Participles - Give background activities (either active or passive) Mainline form of היה - Makes transitions (It happened/came to pass) + any verb negates the verb ל א 80

ץש Overview of Biblical Hebrew Exodus 7:18 a & b ה ד ג ה א ר ב יא ר ת מ ות ו And the fish which are in the river will die X Yiqtol, Qal, 3fs ו ב א ש ה י אר And the river will stink (weqatal, Qal, 3ms + subject) 81

ץ Overview of Biblical Hebrew Exodus 4:17 ואץת ה מ טה ה ז ץה ת ק ח ב י ץד ך It is this rod you will take (yiqtol, Qal, 2ms) in your hand Sometimes the Direct Object precedes verb = for emphasis א ץשר ת ע ץשה ב ו אץת ה א ת ת With which you will do (yiqtol, Qal, 2ms) the signs 82

Exodus 4:24 ו י ה י ץ ב ד ץר ך ב מ ל ון And it came to pass (it happened) by the way at the inn ו י פג אשהו יהו ה That Yahweh met him ( פ ג ש - wayyitol, Qal, 3ms; 3ms pronominal suffix) ו י א ב ק ש ה מית ו And desired (Wayyiqtol, Qal, 3ms) to kill him (infinitive construct, Hipihil, 3ms) Transition - mainline form of היה = wayyiqtol, Qal, 3ms 83

ש Overview of Biblical Hebrew Exodus 3:20 והכ אית י אץת מצר ים ב כ ל נפלא ת י And I will smite (weqatal, hiphil, 1cs) Egypt with all my wonders א ץשר אץע ץשה ב קרב ו Which I will do (yiqtol, Qal, 1cs) in its midst (dependent clause w/yiqtol) וא ח ארי כןא And after that י לח אץתכץם He will let (yiqtol, Piel, 3ms) you (definite direct object + pronoun ending) go (send you out) 84

א Overview of Biblical Hebrew Ezekiel 34:6 a & c 3mp) My flock went astray (sinned inadvertently; yiqtol, Qal, ישג ו צ א ני ואין ד ו אר ש ו א ין מב ק ש And no one was searching (participle, Qal, ms) and no one was seeking (participle, Piel, ms) [for them]. Exodus 6:9b ול א ש רמע ו אץל מ ץשה But they did not listen (perfect, Qal, 3cp) to Moses 85

Verb forms, not verbal stems (binyanim), have special discourse functions. In English, verb tense such as past, present, and future is represented by their own specific verb forms. Biblical Hebrew doesn t really have tenses like English. In Hebrew, verb tense is not determined just by verb forms; it is also a function of the genre of the discourse. See Rocine for full details on discourse profile schemes. 86

You can begin to see the enormity of the Hebrew verbal system. Don t let that scare you into not studying Biblical Hebrew. Study the language as if it were an onion. Digest the first layer you can handle; When you are ready, spend time with the next layer; Continue the process and repeat what you need to. Learn as much vocabulary as you can along the way. Practice reading Hebrew in your inter-linear Bible. 87

Once you finish an introductory course in Biblical Hebrew, you will have only scratched the surface of the language. BUT, knowing the basics of Biblical Hebrew will help you as you attempt to rightly divide the Word of Truth. 88

You will always need to rely on grammar and language tools in your Biblical studies. It will take a long time to build up your vocabulary. Learn it based on frequency rates. 89

I recommend this book or another reference for learning vocabulary based on frequency lists: A Student s Vocabulary for Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic by Larry A. Mitchel, copyright 1984 by Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530 Other on-line resources, apps, and other databases are also available and/or built-in to various software programs. 90

Print-screens from software for this presentation were taken from the following sources: BibleWorks, Version 9.0.12.656, Copyright 1992-2013 BibleWorks, LLC. Blue Letter Bible, https://www.blueletterbible.org esword, Version 10.4.0, Copyright 2000-2011. Rick Meyers. PC Study Bible, Version 5.0F, Copyright 1988-2008, BibleSoft, Inc. 91

Biblical Hebrew A Compact Guide, Miles Van Pelt, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, copyright 2012. Biblical Hebrew An Introductory Grammar, Page H. Kelly, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, copyright 1992. Learn Biblical Hebrew, 2 nd Edition, with Audio CD-Rom, John H. Dobson, Piquant Editions, Ltd., Carlisle, CA3 9GR, United Kingdom. Learning Biblical Hebrew A New Approach Using Discourse Analysis, B.M. Rocine, Smyth & Helwys Publishing, Inc., Macon, Georgia, copyright 2000. The Analytical Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon by Benjamin Davidson, Hendrickson Publishers, P.O. Box 3473, Peabody MA 01961-3473, 4 th Printing April 1986. The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon by F. Brown, S. Driver, and C. Briggs, Hendrickson Publishers, P.O. Box 3473, Peabody MA 01961-3473, 4 th Printing January 1999. The Hebrew-English Interlinear ESV Old Testament Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia and English Standard Version. Crossway, 1300 Crescent Street, Wheaton, Illinois 60187. Copyright 2014. 92

Hebrew lessons compiled by: Beth C. Mehaffey https://holyhiway.wordpress.com Contact: betmeh2 at gmail.com 93