TM110 Reading First Testament Hebrew
Much of the First Testament was written in the ancient languages of Hebrew and Aramaic. The language was revived and modernised in the nineteenth century to create Modern Hebrew. Modern Hebrew bears much resemblance at the semantic level to ancient Hebrew but uses a more cursive script that is easier to produce. Of course, as a new living language, it is in a constant state of flux and therefore moving further from the ancient language. This module gives an introduction to First Testament Hebrew, its basic grammar, syntax and vocabulary. It discusses issues in translation and enables students to use reference material to help translate First Testament passages.For those who don't wish to undertake formal study, the first 8 weeks are accessible to everyone as a "Hebrew is Fun" course.
Reading First Testament Hebrew
Welcome to the TM110 Reading First Testament Hebrew web page. This page is designed to provide useful resources for those studying or about to study TM110 with WEMTC. If you have found useful resources or have questions you would like ask, please do contribute. Please note this module has not yet been run and will only be run upon sufficient demand and the availablity of a tutor. Please ask if you would like to do this module
TM110 is a general Introduction to First Testament Hebrew. It is not available every year or at every Centre, but can be run on request. The class is taught at University Level One. This Module begins with an eight hour Hebrew familiarisation course, which primarily involves getting to grips with the Hebrew alphabet and the types of resource material that aid translation. This portion of the module is open to people who may not wish to continue with Hebrew. After the eight hours a more systematic grammar and syntax course commences. Exercises will be rooted in real verses from the First Testament.
Click here for:
Useful resources for TM110
Books
The following are core books for this subject:
- Mansoor M. Biblical Hebrew Step by Step 3rd edition Baker 1984.
- Martin J.D. Davidson's Introductory Hebrew Grammar 27th edition Edinburgh, T & T Clark 1993.
Why not tell us of some books you have found useful? If the webmaster agrees we'll list them here.
You may find the following web sites helpful when studying New Testament Koine Greek. Material on the net has no quality control making tutors very wary - and rightly so! Nevertheless there is a growing amount of first class academic work on line particularly coming from Religious Studies Departments of good Universities. Treat with care and you'll find it very useful for essays.
The Internet is not 100% reliable and documents move, disappear and change their names. If you find a link does not work, try again in an hour, a day, or a week. But do feel free to email us to report a link doesn't work. Don't forget to tell us the name of the link!
Learn Hebrew Online
- Ancient Hebrew Research Centre
- An online learn Hebrew site with fonts, alphabets and step by step instructions - even an audio addition for those who own RealPlayer.
- Biblica Hebraica
- 31 lessons on learning Hebrew to be used in conjunction with Kelley's Biblical Hebrew: An Introduction.
- Foundation Stone
- An online or downloadable Hebrew Tutor from a Jewish site 17 lessons plus audio option.
Grammar and Academic Details of the Language
- Ethnologue
- SIL's website detailing all known languages. It contains links to many articles of a high level nature on Hebrew grammar, syntax etc as well as First Testament papers written by SIL members.
- Word Studies
- By Dr. Allen P. Ross at Beeson Divinity School. A guide to Hebrew language resources and research methods to enable you to do your own word studies while avoiding some of the traps.
- Hebrew/ English Grammar
- By Dr. Allen P. Ross at Beeson Divinity School. A guide to the basics of Hebrew Grammar in relation to English grammar.
- Richter's Hebrew Vowels
- A paper for beginners that explains the Hebrew vowel system as devised by the Masoretes.
Textual Criticism and Hebrew Manuscripts
- The Bible Researcher
- A site for Bible students who are looking for detailed information on the history of the canon, texts, and versions of Scripture.
Downloadable Hebrew Fonts
- Ezra SIL Fonts
- A high quality Unicode Hebrew font with vowels - one of the standard Hebrew fonts. This only works with Windows XP and MS Office 2003 or other Unicode word processor.
- SIL Fonts
- A high quality Hebrew font with vowels. This is non-unicode and should be used by those with systems prior to Windows XP or Office 2003. If you can use Unicode fonts use EzraSIL above.
- SBLFonts
- Another source of high quality fonts is the Society for Biblical Literature fonts.
History of the Hebrew Alphabet and Language
- Hebrew Alphabet
-
- A nice introduction to the Hebrew Alphabet
- Ancient Scripts
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- A nice web site by an amateur enthusiast for ancient writing scripts and their origins
- Ancient Hebrew Research Centre
- Various pages on the development of the Hebrew Alphabet.
See the general religion links as a starting point for your own searching
Why not tell us of some sites you have found useful? If the webmaster agrees we'll list them here.
The Student Spot
This spot is for contributions from those who are doing or have done TM110. It needs your contributions - books that have been helpful, questions you would like answered, adverts for things related to the module etc. Content is monitored by the webmaster with reference to the tutors and class reps if necessary. Click here to submit something for the page.
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Code and title
TM110 Reading First Testament Hebrew
Tutor
Elizabeth Harper
Brief description
This module gives an introduction to First Testament Hebrew, its basic grammar, syntax and vocabulary. It discusses issues in translation and enables students to use reference material to help translate First Testament passages.
Level and Credits
Level I 15 credits
Status
Optional
Type
Standard
Prerequisites
Nil
Recommended prior study*
TM102.5 Introduction to the First Testament
Restrictions*
Nil
Content summary
This course will cover:
- The basics of Hebrew and English grammar.
- Approximately 150 words relevant to the passages translated.
- Translating selected passages from Genesis 1 and Jonah 1.
- The use of Lexicons and Hebrew study aids.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this half-module students should:
- Knowledge and Understanding
- Recognise basic grammatical forms and structures.
- Understand how Hebrew grammar works and how it differs from English grammar.
- Have translated with the use of supplied dictionaries selected passages from Genesis 1 and Jonah 1.
- Skills
- Be able to translate simple sentences.
- Be wary of simplistic translations and have an appreciation of the problems and subtleties of translation work.
- Know how to use a lexicon and an analytical lexicon.
- Know where to gain help to translate any First Testament passage.
Teaching and learning
120 hours personal study
- 30 hours class contact
- 90 hours personal study (vocabulary learning, class exercises, translations, class preparation)
Assessment
Two one-hour unseen tests (40% each)
Two prepared translations (10% each)
Indicative resources
- Mansoor M. Biblical Hebrew Step by Step 3rd edition Baker 1984.
- Martin J.D. Davidson's Introductory Hebrew Grammar 27th edition Edinburgh, T & T Clark 1993.
Unfortunately we have had to disable the online contribution form as it has been targeted by spammers who have filled the mail box with contributions mainly to do with online gambling. We still want your contribution so please send a separate email to us (webmaster @ the wemtc address) with your request giving the details set out below. All longer contributions should be scanned for viruses and emailed as an attachment in rtf format. Don't forget to tell us what Module this is a contribution to!
Unfortunately we have had to disable the online contribution form as it has been targeted by spammers who have filled the mail box with contributions mainly to do with online gambling. We still want your contribution so please send a separate email to us (webmaster @ the wemtc address) with your request giving the details set out below. All longer contributions should be scanned for viruses and emailed as an attachment in rtf format. Don't forget to tell us what Module this is a contribution to!
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