Biblical Hebrew – Level A.
Rediscover the Bible and gain a deeper and more profound understanding of the Holy Scriptures. Read the Hebrew Bible in its original language and uncover hidden secrets that have been lost for centuries.
- Level: Beginner
- Weekly Hours: 2 hr
- Duration: 9 Months
- Language: English
- Accreditation: This course is worth 3 credits at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Course Description:
This course introduces you to Biblical Hebrew, allowing you to begin your journey of interpreting ancient holy texts together with your teacher in Israel and fellow classmates from around the world.
Course Developer:
Dr. Ohad Cohen
Dr. Ohad Cohen was a linguistics researcher at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and he is now a Faculty Member at the Department of Hebrew
Syllabus Summary:
1 The Hebrew Alphabet: Then and Now
Welcome! After introducing ourselves, we will start to learn about the history of the Hebrew alphabet. We will discuss its relationship with the Latin alphabet and learn our first 8 Hebrew letters.
2 The Hebrew Alphabet, Continued
In our second lesson we will continue to learn about the Hebrew alphabet and cover the rest of it. At the end of the lesson we will be able to recognize all 23 of the Hebrew letters.
3 The Hebrew Vowels
After learning the letters and consonants we will begin to learn about the Hebrew vowels. We will start with the history of the Hebrew vowels notation and get familiar with the first vowel, [a].
4 The Vowels E-I-O-U
In this lesson we will continue with the rest of the Hebrew vowels and learn about the vowels [e-i-o-u]. We can already start to read short verses from the story of the creation (Genesis 1).
5 The 'Dagesh' and Syllable Division
After discussing the Hebrew consonants and vowels we will learn how Hebrew marks gemination (doubling of a consonant) and how to divide words into syllables. We will also read and discuss verses from the story of the tree of knowledge (Genesis 3)
6 Nouns and Adjectives
Now, after we are able to read and pronounce the Hebrew sounds, we will turn to discussing the morphology of Hebrew words. We will start with the nouns and adjectives and learn about their basic forms and grammar. We will learn these issues while continuing. the discussion on the story of the tree of knowledge (Genesis 3)
7 The 'Shewa'
In this lesson we will go back a little to the realm of the sounds and learn about another vocalic sign, the 'Shewa'. We will discuss this sign within the framework of the story of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11).
8 Hebrew Word Structure
The question discussed in this lesson is - how does Hebrew create words? We will learn about the Hebrew terms 'Shoresh' (root) and Mishqal (pattern). We will also read and discuss a few verses from the story of the flood (Genesis 6-8).
9 A Few More Vowels
In this lesson we will complete the phonological part by learning a few more vowels: the short vowel [o] ('Qamatz Qatan) and the reduced vowels. We will learn how to recognize them while discussing the story of Jacob’s dream (Genesis 28).
10 The Definite Article
How does Hebrew mark the difference between “a boy” and “the boy”? This is the question that will we try to answer in lesson 10. We will return to reading and discussing verses from the story of the creation (Genesis 1) and the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11).
11 The Definite Article, Con't & Some Prepositions
In this lesson we will continue to discuss some other aspects of the definite article. We will also learn how Hebrew combines the definite article with some prepositions, while discussing verses from the story of the tree of knowledge (Genesis 3).
12 Construct Chains
What is the difference between “a wood chest” and “a chest of wood”? In this lesson we learn how Hebrew marks the “of” relationship. We will illustrate this relationship discussing some verses from Genesis.
13 Plural Construct Chains
How does Hebrew mark the “of” relationship in plural words? In this lesson we will answer this question. We will also read and discuss the story of Cain and Abel.
14 Independent Personal Pronouns
I, you, he, she… In this lesson we will learn about the Hebrew independent personal pronouns. We will illustrate these pronouns within the framework of the story of Cain and Abel.
15 Pronominal Suffixes
In this lesson we will learn how Hebrew marks the differences between: “my horse”, “your horse” and “his horse”. We will also discuss how Hebrew symbolized the connection between the dove and Noah (Genesis 8).
16 The Definite Construct
The question that we will answer in this lesson is how Hebrew marks the difference between “THE son of Jesse” and “A son of Jesse.” We will illustrate these constructions within the framework of the story of Hagar (Genesis 21).
17 Nominal Sentences
Why doesn't Hebrew need a verb in order to create a sentence? In this lesson we will learn how Hebrew creates nominal sentences. We will also discuss what happened between Jacob and Rachel near the well (Genesis 29).
18 Nominal Sentences, Con't
In this lesson we will meet different ways to create nominal sentences in Hebrew. We will demonstrate how the author of Proverbs 6:23 plays with nominal sentences in order to design a challenging proverb.
19 Review: Ruth
The goal of this lesson is to slow down a little bit and to look backward to what we achieved until now. We will review the previous grammatical materials with the framework of the story of Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 1). How can the characters’ names illuminate the story? – This will be one of the questions that we will ask ourselves.
20 Qatal Verbs
After discussing Hebrew nouns and adjectives, in this lesson we will start the third part of the first course 'The verb'. We will learn about the morphology of the suffix conjugation called “Qatal“. We will see that there is a clear connection between the different persons and the independent pronouns.
21 Translating Qatal
What is the meaning of the Qatal form, and how do we translate it into English? These will be the questions that we will ask in this lesson. We will also learn how Hebrew marks the definite direct object. We will illustrate these topics using a variety of verses from the Bible.
22 Translating Qatal, Con't
In this lesson we will continue with the questions concerning the meaning and the translation of the Qatal form. We will discover how this form performs in different sentences and how Hebrew is different from English in this point.
23 Review: Ruth, Con't
Why did Naomi want to change her name to Mara? What happened to Ruth and Naomi when they returned from Moab? These will be part of the questions that we will answer in this review lesson. The discussion will enable us to review the previous lessons. (Ruth 1-2)
24 Yiqtol Verbs
The second verbal form that we will learn is the prefix conjugation called “Yiqtol“. In this lesson we will learn how to recognize this form and how Hebrew marks the different persons in it. We will discover that also in this form there is a clear connection between the different persons and the independent pronouns.
25 Translating Yiqtol
What is the meaning of the Yiqtol form, and how do we translate it into English? These will be the questions that we will ask in this lesson. We will illustrate these topics using a variety of verses from the Bible.
26 Translating Yiqtol, Con't
In this lesson we will continue with the questions concerning the meaning and the translation of the Yiqtol form. We will discove how this form performs in different sentences and how Hebrew is different from English in this point.
27 Review: Ruth, Con't
What is the semantic connection between the “resting place” and Naomi’s plans for Ruth? (Ruth 3:1) How is the author of the book playing with the connotations of the verbs 'to know' and 'to lay down'? These will be some of the questions that we will answer in this review lesson. The discussion will enable us to review the previous lessons. (Ruth 3)
28 Wayyiqtol Verbs
The third verbal form that we will learn is the form Wayyiqtol. In the first part of this lesson we will learn how to recognize this form. In the second part we will discover what the meaning of this form is and how to translate it into English. We will illustrate its usages using a variety of verses from the Bible.
29 Weqatal Verbs
The fourth verbal form that we will learn is the form Weqatal. In the first part of this lesson we will learn how to recognize this form. In the second part we will discover what the meaning of this form is and how to translate it into English. We will illustrate its usages using a variety of verses from the Bible.
30 Where We've Been
“Where We've Been” is the name of our last meeting in this course. In this meeting we'll go back through the course and see the long way that we have come from our first lesson until now. Now that we are able to begin walking through the Bible, it is the time to say: Shalom!, and see you in our coming course!
This Course is Fully Acknowledged by the Hebrew University
- Get full academic credit for this course from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- Valid in any academic institution that acknowledges credit from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- Receive an official Israel Institute of Biblical Studies certificate upon completing this course
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Recorded Lessons
All lessons are recorded and available on demand.
Technical Support
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Extra Practice Sessions
A weekly teacher session for Q&A and discussion groups.
