Biblical Hebrew

Biblical Hebrew is the archaic form of the Hebrew language that is found in the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Tanakh. This form of Hebrew was used from the late second millennium BCE through the early first millennium CE. It is a member of the Semitic languages family, which also includes Aramaic, Arabic, and Akkadian among others. Biblical Hebrew is divided into several periods, such as Classical Biblical Hebrew, which appears in most of the biblical texts, and Late Biblical Hebrew, found in books like Ezra and Nehemiah.

History and Development

Biblical Hebrew evolved from ancient Canaanite dialects in the region now known as Israel, Palestine, and parts of Jordan, around the 12th century BCE. It shares many features with Phoenician, another ancient Canaanite language. Over time, Biblical Hebrew underwent significant changes in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. By the 3rd century BCE, it began to be replaced by Aramaic as the lingua franca of the region, although it remained in religious and literary use.

Characteristics

Biblical Hebrew is characterized by its relatively simple phonology, with about 22 consonants and a vowel system that is not explicitly written in the oldest texts. Vowels were later indicated by using the Niqqud system in the Middle Ages. Its syntax is typically Verb-Subject-Object (VSO), although variations exist. The vocabulary of Biblical Hebrew is relatively small, with many words having multiple meanings determined by context.

Writing System

The Hebrew Bible was originally written in the Paleo-Hebrew alphabet, which evolved from the Phoenician alphabet. Around the 5th century BCE, the Aramaic script began to replace the Paleo-Hebrew script, and this is the script used in modern Hebrew today.

Textual Tradition

The Masoretic Text is the authoritative Hebrew text of the Jewish Bible, compiled and preserved by Jewish scholars known as the Masoretes between the 7th and 10th centuries CE. This text includes not only the consonantal text but also vocalization and cantillation marks, which guide pronunciation and intonation.

Influence

Biblical Hebrew has had a profound impact on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, as well as on the study of linguistics and ancient history. It is a key subject of study in theology, religious studies, and ancient languages. The revival of Modern Hebrew as a spoken language in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was significantly influenced by Biblical Hebrew, although Modern Hebrew has undergone considerable changes in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.

Modern Study

Today, Biblical Hebrew is studied in religious contexts by Jews and Christians alike, as well as by scholars and linguists. It is taught in universities and theological seminaries around the world, and resources for learning Biblical Hebrew include textbooks, online courses, and software.