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The Hebrew Aleph-Bet — 22 Letters (read right to left)

Key Features of Hebrew

Right to Left — Hebrew reads from right to left, opposite to English.

Consonantal — Biblical Hebrew was originally written with only consonants. Vowel points (niqqud) were added by the Masoretes around 600-1000 AD.

Root System — Hebrew words are built on three-letter roots (shoresh). For example: שׁלם (sh-l-m) gives us shalom (peace), shalem (complete), and related words.

Concrete vs. Abstract — Hebrew is more concrete and pictorial than Greek. Abstract concepts are often expressed through physical images.

Why Study Hebrew?

The Old Testament was written primarily in Hebrew (with some Aramaic). Understanding Hebrew unlocks the richness of the Old Testament — the poetry of the Psalms, the wordplay in Genesis, the depth of the prophets. The word hesed alone has been called "the most important word in the Old Testament."

The Divine Name — YHWH

The most important word in Hebrew Scripture is the covenant name of God: יהוה (YHWH), often called the Tetragrammaton (four letters). The Jews considered it too holy to pronounce and substituted Adonai (Lord). English Bibles render it LORD (all caps). Its probable pronunciation is Yahweh. It comes from the root "to be" — echoing God's self-declaration: "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14).

Hebrew Verb System

Hebrew verbs function differently from English:
Perfect — completed action, regardless of time
Imperfect — incomplete, ongoing, or future action
Seven Stems (Binyanim) — the same root word in different stems produces related but distinct meanings:
Qal (simple), Niphal (passive), Piel (intensive), Hiphil (causative), Hithpael (reflexive), and others.

Key Hebrew Concepts

Shema (שְׁמַע) — "Hear!" The opening word of Israel's central creed: "Hear O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one." (Deuteronomy 6:4)

Hesed (חֶסֶד) — Often translated "lovingkindness," "steadfast love," or "mercy." It combines love, loyalty, and faithfulness — no English word captures it fully.

Shalom (שָׁלוֹם) — Much more than "peace" — wholeness, completeness, wellbeing, right relationships, everything in order as God intended.

Emet (אֱמֶת) — Truth, faithfulness, reliability. God's emet is the foundation of covenant trust.

Names of God in Hebrew

YHWH (יהוה) — LORD, the personal covenant name. Reveals God's eternal self-existence.
Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) — God, the Creator. Plural form used with singular verbs — a hint at the Trinity.
Adonai (אֲדֹנָי) — Lord, Master, sovereign.
El Shaddai (אֵל שַׁדַּי) — God Almighty, the all-sufficient one.
El Elyon (אֵל עֶלְיוֹן) — God Most High.
YHWH Jireh (יהוה יִרְאֶה) — The LORD will provide (Genesis 22:14).
YHWH Rapha (יהוה רֹפֶא) — The LORD who heals (Exodus 15:26).
YHWH Nissi (יהוה נִסִּי) — The LORD is my banner (Exodus 17:15).

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