Biblical Hebrew: Learning a Sacred Language

Course No. 2256

Learn to read the Hebrew Bible in its original language. Professor Carasik guides you through the Hebrew alphabet, vowels, verb forms, and more, allowing you to reach your own conclusions about the Bible’s meaning and appreciate its literary artistry.

Video Lesson List

1. Studying Biblical Hebrew

Begin with an introduction to the Hebrew writing system and read Genesis 1:3-5 in Hebrew.

30 min

2. Learning the Aleph Bet

Get to know the Hebrew alphabet and its pronunciation quirks.

30 min

3. The Tiberian Vowel System

Understand the Tiberian vowel system and how vowels are marked in Hebrew.

33 min

4. Roots of Semitic Verbs

Learn about the three-consonant root system and explore God’s names in Hebrew.

35 min

5. Hebrew Pronouns and Pronominal Suffixes

Focus on Hebrew pronouns and practice with a Bible verse.

32 min

6. How Hebrew Letters Behave

Examine the behavior of Hebrew letters, especially gutturals and roots starting with yud.

35 min

7. Perfect and Imperfect Hebrew Verbs

Understand the two main verb tenses in Hebrew and their uses.

38 min

8. Segholate Nouns and Pausal Forms

Learn about segholate nouns and their unique rhythm in Hebrew phrases.

35 min

9. The Construct Form: Hebrew’s Trailer Hitch

Discover how the construct form attaches nouns and enhances meaning.

31 min

10. Forming Hebrew Construct Chains

Study prepositions and irregular nouns in construct forms with Biblical examples.

32 min

11. Hebrew Verb Classifications: Binyanim

Understand the five Hebrew verb forms and focus on the Qal binyan.

33 min

12. Question Words in Hebrew

Learn how to ask questions in Hebrew without a question mark.

36 min

13. Hebrew Participles

Explore the third verb form, the participle, through Biblical examples.

36 min

14. Counting in Hebrew

Count from one to 10,000 and learn about Hebrew numbers and their uses.

31 min

15. Hebrew Roots with Guttural Letters

Study verbs with guttural letters and their unique behaviors.

33 min

16. Hebrew’s Lamed-Hey Roots

Focus on lamed-hey roots and their common usage in Hebrew.

34 min

17. Hebrew’s Roots Beginning with Yud

Learn about roots starting with yud and their peculiarities.

35 min

18. Irregular Hebrew Verbs

Master irregular verbs and their distinct patterns in Hebrew.

35 min

19. Hebrew’s Hollow Verbs

Understand hollow verbs and their conjugation peculiarities.

36 min

20. The Infinitive in Hebrew

Learn about the infinitive verb form and its uses in Hebrew.

32 min

21. Jussives, Cohortatives, and “Hava Nagila”

Explore intention-expressing verb forms like jussives and cohortatives.

38 min

22. The Imperative Form in Hebrew

Understand the imperative verb form and practice with various verbs.

35 min

23. Piel Verbs and Passive Binyanim

Take a closer look at the Piel and passive binyanim forms.

37 min

24. Reflexive Binyanim: Niphal and Hitpa’el

Conclude the binyanim survey with the reflexive Niphal and Hitpa’el forms.

35 min

25. Reading the Bible in Hebrew: Joshua 1

Start reading longer Bible passages in Hebrew with Joshua 1:1-9.

36 min

26. Geminate Verbs and Reading Numbers 22

Explore geminate roots and continue reading Numbers 22.

38 min

27. Hebrew’s Object Suffixes

Learn about object suffixes and their uses in Hebrew sentences.

34 min

28. Hebrew Oaths and Other Idioms

Study common Hebrew idioms and their meanings, including oaths and age statements.

35 min

29. Understanding Hebrew Punctuation Marks

Learn about Hebrew punctuation marks and their triple functions.

40 min

30. Choosing a Hebrew Bible

Get recommendations for Hebrew Bibles and electronic resources.

35 min

31. Helpful Hebrew Reference Books

Explore essential Hebrew reference books for further study.

37 min