Can you read the Bible in Greek or Hebrew?

Over on the Koinonia blog, John Walton has a series of posts called Hebrew Corner—commentary and discussion about interesting bits of the Biblical Hebrew language. It's good reading, even if you've never studied Hebrew.

And so the predictable question I've got for you is: can you read a Biblical language? Have you ever studied ancient Hebrew or Greek? Do you want to do so at some point?

I'm a big proponent of exposing Christians to the original languages of the Bible. Not because I'm a snob who thinks that you can't really understand Scripture unless you read it in its original language, but because I've found even a basic understanding of Hebrew and Greek to be really eye-opening. Reading a Bible passage in its original language won't clue you in to any secret doctrines or hidden messages, but it does make you more aware of subtle textual elements that don't always come through in translation: puns, humor, poetry, emphasis, and more. And laboriously translating a Scripture passage yourself over the course of hours or days has a way of really making you think through its meaning.

And the neat thing is, you don't have to be a master of Greek or Hebrew to have your linguistic appreciation of the Scriptures deepened. I've long thought that churches would do a great service for people if they offered very basic-level introductory classes on Hebrew and Greek—not aimed at creating great language scholars, but at just increasing people's appreciation for the cultural and linguistic context of the Bible. (My wife has actually given some thought to teaching such a class in our church community, but we've been told there wouldn't be a lot of interest, which is disappointing.)

Is anybody else with me? Pastors, you've certainly had to study Biblical languages—do you think it'd be a good idea if more Christians studied them? If you're not a pastor, have you ever studied Greek or Hebrew, and was it worth your time?

I've created a new poll asking this very question off to the right—vote in the poll, and share your comments below!

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Comments (17)

This is one of the things I have desired the most as a church going Christian. It's always kind of bothered me that we have had to depend on pastors to say, "In the original Hebrew" or "In the original Greek." I have yearned for a Sunday school class to be a real school of learning things that are normally reserved for seminary. It's almost as if there is a touch of the pre-reformation and Gutenburg press days when only the priests and monks had written scriptures. I wish at least some basic words, etc. could be taught like the way the young of the Jewish faith are taught in the original language.
I just wrote a post this morning about how I'm studying Hebrew. And I've ranted extensively about the awful things we force students of Biblical languages to do. Personally, in using Greek, I've come full circle. I started studying Greek to understand the original message better. But these days I find that it is more profitable to study what experts have concluded the original says. And that is found in comparing a variety of translations. Where there is no difference you can be confident of the meaning. Where there is a difference, it tells you that there are different ways of interpreting the original. Personally, I read the CEV devotionally and I use a variety of tools including Greek when I'm doing in depth study. I"m pleased to see that singing is being used more in Greek and Hebrew instruction. I'd also like to see more multimedia and comic books used as well as developing basic conversation skills.
When it comes to the Old Testament, there is no better expert than a Jewish Talmudic scholar who has spent 40 years studying the original Hebrew. Watch out for the Greek! Example, from the Greek, through Latin into English, one gets the idea that Jeptha burned his daughter as a sacrifice on the altar. I casually asked a rabbi how this could be acceptable to God, centuries after Abraham was told NOT to sacrifice Isaac. He was shocked - totally unaware that Christians had such a perverted understanding. Turns out, a Hebrew word meaning "elevate" (to the service of God) had been translated into a Greek word specifically meaning a burnt offering! And if you look at the English with that understanding, it makes more sense: his daughter wanted time to bewail her virginity, that is, she would never marry, not her imminent death by fire.
I've studied both languages at Bible college and grad school (including some Hebrew with John Walton at Wheaton College Grad School).

I just don't think too many American Christians are willing to invest the time to learn an ancient language, especially with so many good English Bible translations available. Even those who are interested, the challenge of having a qualified teacher available is another significant factor. I really think it is better to know nothing of Greek and Hebrew at all than to know just enough to stumble through the original languages and walk away with false conclusions based on a poor understanding of how languages (and G&H in particular) work.

That said, I would be thrilled to have the opportunity to teach Greek and Hebrew to interested people in my church.
As a pastor, I definitely think it is a good idea to study the original languages. Is it necessary to understanding the Bile? No. Is it beneficial? Yes.
It is not necessary to understand the basics of what God expects of us, personally, but it is necessary to understanding the Bible. Example: I am informed by an expert in Hebrew that the woman (isha) was made from the SIDE (tzela) of the Adam, not from the rib of the man, and that when one side of the Adam was removed, what remained was the man (ish). So, the Adam, made in the image of God, was separated into ish and isha. You don't get that understanding from reading English. Translators inevitably misunderstand a lot.
I am one of little worldly education, certainly never attended college or seminary. That said as my hunger to serve grew I was compeled to dig deep for clearity, depth and weight. As a man that loves the Lord it was the least I could do.
My walk and ability to serve others will never be the same! It was not an option for me.

I would love to Golf like Tiger Woods, However, like with G/H Tiger had to learn the meaning of basic's to apply his knowlege in daily application.
Once upon a time, I started learning Greek because the class was convenient and I was curious about the scriptures. That was part of my path to seminary, where I studied both Greek and Hebrew intensively enough to pass a cold-reading translation exam.

It was a lot of work to get there, but work I affirm as necessary for pastors who are professional readers of the text. I think some facility in the languages is necessary if your job is exegesis for others.

But there are many new textual aids available now for both pastors and laypeople. Not only software tools (I use Libronix), but simple inter-linear and reverse-interlienar Bibles. An inter-linear alone can clarify a word or concept that is otherwise obscured in the English translation.

There are dangers, of course, from reading too much into an idiom of another language to a vague arrogance about being able to read the text better than anyone else. Nevertheless, the additional insight is well worth the risks.
What a wonderful thing to do, so where do I sign up. Trying to study a language alone is very time comsuming, but with someone else you have someone to practise with. I think I'll see if my wife would like to start something like that. Thanks in God's Grace John
Yes! As a seminary student at Dallas Theological, I've completed the 2 years of Hebrew and 2.5 years of Greek. While I don't routinely use the original languages, I do understand how they work which gives me a leg up when someone says '... well your Bible might say this but in the original... '. For those without language study I would recommend the NET Bible (next.bible.org) which has the advantage of having extensive notes from the translators giving other options and explaining their reasoning (whether you agree or disagree with their translation).
I've got a BA in linguistics and a seminary degree, so between them I've spent quite a bit of time studying Greek and Hebrew. As a linguist, I am fascinated every time I come across an idiom or a play on words or evidence of language change in the text... my favorite is when I can spot a NT writer "thinking in Hebrew." I don't think this is really of any spiritual value, but it's fun. As far as actual spiritual benefits go, I think the biggest is that knowing the original languages leads to a fuller understanding of the poetry in the Bible.

~Q
I'm all for the "basic-level introductory class" idea! I've taken an Greek extension class out of Fuller (from my pastor at the time), and I feel I've significantly benefited from it. By now, my skill in Greek is lessened, probably to the level of a very introductory class of the kind you describe--and that is still helpful, especially when supported by resources like Blue Letter Bible (http://www.blueletterbible.org.... Many thanks for your post--I wonder if a few of our high school students might be interested... (I've been a youth ministry volunteer at our church for a number of years).

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