Whether you know Hebrew or not, this book will provide you with a quick reference resource for learning the meaning of many Hebrew words that lie beneath the English translations, which will open new doors for you into Biblical interpretation. The Hebrew language of the Bible must be understood from its original and Ancient Hebrew perspective. Our interpretation of a word like "holy" is an abstract idea, derived out of a Greco-Roman culture and mindset, which is usually understood as someone or something that is especially godly, pious or spiritual. However, the Hebrew word קדוש (qadosh) means, from an Ancient Hebrew perspective, unique and is defined in this dictionary as: "Someone or something that has, or has been given the quality of specialness, and has been separated from the rest for a special purpose." With this interpretation, we discover that the nation of Israel is not "holy," in the sense of godliness or piety, but is a unique and special people, separated from all others to serve God. This Biblical Hebrew dictionary contains the one thousand most frequent verbs and nouns found within the Hebrew Bible. Each word is translated and defined from its original concrete Ancient Hebrew perspective, allowing for a more accurate interpretation of the text. In addition to the one thousand verbs and nouns, the appendices in the book include a complete list of Hebrew pronouns, prepositions, adverbs, conjunctions and numbers.
If you know the Hebrew alphabet then you're ready for this book. With the resources contained within it you will begin to interpret and translate the original Hebrew language of the Bible for yourself. Once you have learned the Hebrew alphabet and have some basic understanding of Hebrew grammar you are ready to read and translate the Bible for yourself. This book contains the Hebrew text of the book of Genesis as well as a lexicon listing each and every Hebrew word as it appears in the Biblical text with its prefixes, suffixes and conjugations intact assisting the reader with interpreting difficult and unknown words. A dictionary of each Hebrew word is also included for more in-depth study of Hebrew words. By working through the book of Genesis using the tools available in this book one will soon be on their way to reading the Bible without the aid of a translator.
All previous Biblical Hebrew lexicons have provided a modern western definition and perspective to Hebrew roots and words. This prevents the reader of the Bible from seeing the ancient authors' original intent of the passages. This is the first Biblical Hebrew lexicon that defines each Hebrew word within its original Ancient Hebrew cultural meaning. One of the major differences between the Modern Western mind and the Ancient Hebrew's is that their mind related all words and their meanings to a concrete concept. For instance, the Hebrew word "chai" is normally translated as "life", a western abstract meaning, but the original Hebrew concrete meaning of this word is the "stomach". In the Ancient Hebrew mind, a full stomach is a sign of a full "life". The Hebrew language is a root system oriented language and the lexicon is divided into sections reflecting this root system. Each word of the Hebrew Bible is grouped within its roots and is defined according to its original ancient cultural meaning. Also included in each word entry are its alternative spellings, King James translations of the word and Strong's number. Indexes are included to assist with finding a word within the lexicon according to its spelling, definition, King James translation or Strong's number.
Anyone interested in learning to read the Hebrew Bible in its original language will find within the pages of this book all the resources needed to begin this wonderful journey. The book is laid out in four parts. The first part teaches the Hebrew alphabet through a series of lessons. The second part teaches word and sentence structure of the Hebrew language by breaking down each Hebrew word in Genesis chapter one, verses one through five. The Hebrew text of Genesis chapter one is provided for reading and comprehension practices in part three. The fourth part of the book contains charts and dictionaries of prefixes, suffixes, words and roots of the Hebrew language to assist the reader with vocabulary definitions and comprehension. Within a short amount of time the Hebrew student will soon be reading the Bible through the eyes of the author rather than the opinions of a translator.
The Mechanical method of translating the Bible is a new and unique style of translating that translates each Hebrew word, prefix and suffix exactly the same way every time it occurs and in the same order as they appear in the Hebrew text. This translation will allow a reader, who has no background in Hebrew, to see the text from a Hebraic perspective, without the interjection of a translator's theological opinions and bias. As this style of translation also identifies the morphology of each Hebrew word using the English language, it is a useful tool for those who are learning to read Biblical Hebrew. This translation includes: An introductory text explaining the background and methodology of the mechanical translation. An introductory text describing the mechanics of the Hebrew language and the history of the Torah. Every Hebrew word of the Torah with its mechanical translation and transliteration. A "revised" translation for each verse that rearranges the text so that it is understandable to English readers. Over 1,000 footnotes on the Hebrew grammar, idioms and alternate translations and meanings. A lexicon including every Hebrew word in the Torah arranged by their roots. A concordance to aid the reader in locating specific words within the Torah.
Mr. Benner shares his over 20 years of research and studies of the Torah. This work explains the linguistic and cultural background of many verses, topics, names and words in the Torah. When the Torah is understood from the perspective of an Ancient Hebrew, rather from a Modern Westerner, the text comes to life and new revelations are discovered throughout the text.
This pictorial dictionary includes 150 Biblical Hebrew words and defines them within their linguistic and cultural context and will provide the Bible reader with a deeper understanding of the words they are reading in the Bible.
When we read an English translation of the Bible we define the words within it according to our modern vocabulary allowing our culture and language to influence how we read and interpret the Bible. The Bible was written by ancient Hebrews whose culture and language was very different from our own and must be read and interpreted through their eyes. When we define the names of God using our culture and language we lose the Hebraic meanings behind the original Hebrew names of God. Consequently the true nature and character of God is hidden behind the veil of time and culture. By understanding the various names of God through the vocabulary and language of the ancient Hebrews, the nature and character of God is revealed to us in a new light. The prophet Zechariah described the character of God with the words "sh'mo ehhad" translated as His Name is One (Zechariah 14:9). This phrase beautifully describes the character of God from a Hebraic perspective that is lost to us through translation and unfamiliarity with ancient Hebrew culture.
The translation in this book is the Revised Mechanical Translation, which is derived from Mr. Benner’s The Torah: A Mechanical Translation (Also available through the bookstore). In the The Torah: A Mechanical Translation (MT) each Hebrew word is translated faithfully according to its original linguistic and cultural perspective. Mr. Benner's vision of this translation included a translation that: 1. eliminates personal and religious bias on the part of the translator, 2. translates each Hebrew word, prefix and suffix, exactly the same way, every time it occurs in the text, 3. can be read and understood by the average person who does not have any prior knowledge of the Hebrew language, 4. includes a dictionary of each word used in the translation as well as a concordance, and 5. can be used as a tool by those who are learning to read Biblical Hebrew. Each verse in the translation includes the Revised Mechanical Translation, which rearranges the words so that it will follow English syntax. For instance, Hebrew syntax places the subject of the verb (Elohiym) after the verb (shaped Elohiym). However, in English syntax the subject comes before the verb (Elohiym shaped). In addition, some words will be changed for clarity. For example, in Hebrew, one says “in a mountain,” but we would say “on a mountain” and this translation will reflect such changes. This Revised Mechanical Translation is the translation found in this book. You will notice, as you read this translation, it does not “flow” as easily as the translations you are used to. The reason for this is that this translation is designed to allow the reader to see the Hebrew behind the English by using the English language. So while this translation may not read easily, you are getting a glimpse of the Hebrew language behind the translation.
After learning the Hebrew alphabet, it's time to learn Hebrew grammar, morphology and syntax. This book provides the basics to Hebrew grammar, word construction and syntax, or sentence structure. In addition, it examines each Hebrew word in the Ten Commandments and breaks down the roots, prefixes and suffixes of each word. This book will be a valuable tool for anyone interested in learning how to read the Hebrew Bible in its original language. Jeff A. Benner, founder of the Ancient Hebrew Research Center (www.ancient-hebrew.org) and the Mechanical Translation of the Hebrew Bible Project (www.mechanical-translation.org), has authored many books on the subject of the Ancient Hebrew alphabet, language and culture and speaks around the country on this same subject. Mr. Benner's goal is to teach proper Biblical interpretation by providing others with the tools needed to read and understand the Bible from its original context.
The Hebrew Bible, called the "Tenach" by Jews and "Old Testament" by Christians, was originally written in the Hebrew language using an ancient pictographic, or paleo-Hebrew, script. Through the study of this ancient language and script the words of the Bible will come alive to the reader in a way never seen before. This book will examine the origins and history of the ancient Hebrew language and script and their close relationship to the culture of the ancient Hebrews. Included are detailed charts of the evolution of the ancient Hebrew script as well as many other related Semitic and non-Semitic scripts. Also included are the details of the root system of the Hebrew language, and a lexicon of ancient Hebrew roots to assist the reader of the Bible with finding the original cultural context for many Hebrew words.
The translation in this book is the Revised Mechanical Translation, which is derived from Mr. Benner’s The Torah: A Mechanical Translation (Also available through the bookstore). In the The Torah: A Mechanical Translation (MT) each Hebrew word is translated faithfully according to its original linguistic and cultural perspective. Mr. Benner's vision of this translation included a translation that: 1. eliminates personal and religious bias on the part of the translator, 2. translates each Hebrew word, prefix and suffix, exactly the same way, every time it occurs in the text, 3. can be read and understood by the average person who does not have any prior knowledge of the Hebrew language, 4. includes a dictionary of each word used in the translation as well as a concordance, and 5. can be used as a tool by those who are learning to read Biblical Hebrew. Each verse in the translation includes the Revised Mechanical Translation, which rearranges the words so that it will follow English syntax. For instance, Hebrew syntax places the subject of the verb (Elohiym) after the verb (shaped Elohiym). However, in English syntax the subject comes before the verb (Elohiym shaped). In addition, some words will be changed for clarity. For example, in Hebrew, one says “in a mountain,” but we would say “on a mountain” and this translation will reflect such changes. This Revised Mechanical Translation is the translation found in this book. You will notice, as you read this translation, it does not “flow” as easily as the translations you are used to. The reason for this is that this translation is designed to allow the reader to see the Hebrew behind the English by using the English language. So while this translation may not read easily, you are getting a glimpse of the Hebrew language behind the translation.
Mr. Benner shares his over 20 years of research and studies of the Torah. This work explains the linguistic and cultural background of many verses, topics, names and words in the Torah. When the Torah is understood from the perspective of an Ancient Hebrew, rather from a Modern Westerner, the text comes to life and new revelations are discovered throughout the text.
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