Learning Biblical Languages
Posted by Kushana Torumekia at 3/25/2009 1:18 PM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Aramaic; Greek; Koine; Hebrew; Learning Languages; Biblical Laguages
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Aramaic; Greek; Koine; Hebrew; Learning Languages; Biblical Laguages
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My helper tells me there's been a spate of questions asking about how to learn Biblical languages. This pleases me tremendously: if there's a book (or a movie or a play) you love that was originally written in another language, learning that language with pay you back many times over.(Learning another language is difficult but it is always worth it: even a little bit will tell you more about the thing you love.)
My first recommendation is to find a class: for Biblical languages seminaries are good places to start, as are colleges and universities. Sometimes places of worship offer classes in Biblical languages, too. Whether you agree with the ethos and philosophy of the place should be a secondary consideration: it is easier to learn a language in a structured setting with a teacher who can answer your questions or sort out confusions. (The worst textbook writing I have encountered has been in language textbooks, even some of my favorites have sentences I can only shrug over.) A teacher can also explain concepts and give tips on remembering rules and vocabulary in several different ways: a textbook usually does not.
Also, contact the person teaching the class and ask about sitting in on the class. School policies vary, but it may be possible for you to take the class without paying full tuition, enrolling in school, or having to be graded. (Of course, if you find grades helpful or are making a start on a new educational path you will want to officially take the class.) Never be afraid to ask (and always ask the professor, directly: department officials and university office staff are paid to give the party line, which usually involves applying to the school and paying tuition...) The worst a teacher can say is, "No", and they may point you to other resources you had not thought of.
If you absolutely cannot find a class (or even a tutor), then get a textbook and begin to work through it on your own. This is not ideal, but it is better than nothing. If possible ask a professor, tutor, or member of the clergy who knows the language what textbook they would recommend. (There are many good textbooks for Biblical Hebrew and Biblical Greek (also called Koine Greek). The field is far narrower for Biblical Aramaic (a short portion of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament is written in Aramaic — and there are a few worlds and phrases of Aramaic scattered throughout the New Testament. Some classes post their course schedules or syllabi online: this is also a source for the names of good textbooks.
I would text to shy away from textbooks published by religious publishing houses or by religious organizations or written by members of the clergy. Often these are excellent — and rigorous. Sometimes, however, they are too protective of Scripture and instead of teaching you a language, honestly, they teach how to read a language so it conforms to an in-house translation or religious interpretation. Truly learning a language will make anything written in it more complex and full of multiple meanings. Reading a text in the original language should make its world wider and more profound, anything less is a cheat on the reader and learner.
-Kushana
I am always searching for meaning in my beliefs which is very difficult due to all the technology. I came across a post, The First Question, which asked, "What is the first question in the Bible?
Before man was created, there were no questions. The first occurs in the Garden of Eden. The man and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit. G-d calls out to them, “Where are you?”
This post gave me a lot to think about it can be found at http://projectshalom2.org/StoryTour
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Great post. I love trying to pick up on languages, and agree just be careful of any that push one religions version of it.
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