Bible Interpretation, Student Workbook, SW05

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B I B L E I N T E R P R E T A T I O N

A. The Bible was written in three languages.

1. Hebrew (the Old Testament)

a. An ancient language (The roots of the language have been traced back to 2400 BC or about 4,400 years ago.)

(1) From our perspective it reads “backwards” (from right to left).

(2) Has its own, different alphabet

b. Concrete and pictorial (uses images to stand for concepts such as “horn” for strength)

c. An economical language

(1) One root word may stand for many different meanings and applications. (2) In Hebrew, Psalm 23 is only 55 words while the KJV in English uses 119 words.

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2. Aramaic

a. Has the longest continuous usage of any language known. It was spoken during the time of Abraham and is still spoken by a few groups today.

b. A secondary Old Testament language; used in Genesis 31.47; Ezra 4.8-6.18, 7.12-26; Jer. 10.11; Dan. 2.4b-7.28