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The Hebrew language has a relatively limited vocabulary, but it makes up for this by maintaining a tremendous flexibility. Each Hebrew word can carry a wide range of meaning, and even individual letters often stand for many distinctly different things. Let us look at just one letter—ו (vav). You may be surprised at how many …

We have learned in past lessons all the sounds of the word שָׁלוֹם (sha·LOM). The first letter of שָׁלוֹם is שׁ (shin), the “sh” sound. Under the shin is a ָ  (ka·MATS), indicating the vowel “a,” as in “father.” The second letter of the word is ל (LA·med), the Hebrew “l” which is followed by …

The Hebrew word מְנוֹרָה (me·no·RAH) is spelled with four consonants and three vowel symbols. One consonant and two vowels of the word menorah have been learned previously. The remaining vowel and consonants are new and will be introduced in this and the following two lessons. Unit 4 Video: Reading Assignments: Hebrew Nuggets, Lesson 12: menorah (Part 1) …

“Hallelujah” is the English form of a Hebrew word. The Hebrew word הללויה (ha·le·lu·YAH) is spelled with five consonants and four vowel symbols. However, we have already learned one of the consonants, the י (yod), and three of the vowels, ַ  (pa·TAḤ), וּ (shu·RUK) and ָ  (ka·MATS). Also, two of the five consonants in ha·le·lu·YAH …

Abba is an Aramaic word meaning “the father.” This word was borrowed by Hebrew speakers and used in the sense of “Daddy.” Today the word abba lives again on the streets and in the homes of Israel. Children say, “Abba, come here!” “Abba, give me some of that!” “Abba, do this!” “Abba, do that!” No …

Introduction to the Aleph-Bet Course A Message from the Instructor, David Bivin: David Bivin, course instructor. Dear Aleph-Bet student,Studying the Hebrew language can be a rewarding experience for a Christian. Even a limited knowledge of Hebrew opens wide the door to greater understanding of the Bible. Learning to read Hebrew can be the beginning of …