In learning a language (for me, Hebrew, and now Greek), I realise the importance of a step-by-step process:
1) Learn the Consonants and Niqquod so that you can start reading words in Hebrew.
2) Learn the language proper (grammar, syntax, etc) so that you do not read too much meaning into the words. In Hebrew, you have the various forms of qal (verbs) such as the qatal, yigtol, weqatal and wayyigtol. These are the tenses. Within each category of the verbs, you have the verb stems (or the binyanim) such as paal, niphal, piel, pual, hifil, hufal and hitpael. They tell you the voice of the verb (active or passive) and the intensity of relationship.
In English we have three different words to describe the same thing. 'Dictate' and 'correspond' is basically writing. However, in Hebrew, we do not use different words like in English. In Hebrew, we use only one root word and from there, construct the different words that we want to describe the action.
The paal form of the verb (e.g. to write) involves only one person; the hifil form of writing involves two person (one person reads out, the other person writes); the hitpael form involves greater intensity in relationship (meaning, I write to you, and you write back to me, then I write to you again).
3) With proper tools, like a lexicon, you search out the meanings of words. You will gain a lot more insights when you do word study. For example יִתְלוֹנָן in Ps 91:1 is more than just 'abide'. It means 'staying overnight for your safety sake'
4) You will also find that the same word תֵּבַת גֹּמֶא is used in Ex 2:3 (read the explanation below from Israel Institute of Biblical Studies) is used to describe Noah's ark תֵּבָה (Gen 6:3). The question arises, why not סַּל (translated as basket in Gen 40:17)? From your study of Hebrew grammar, you will also find that the words תֵּבַת is a construct form of תֵּבָה. This will keep you from making all sorts of guesses that perhaps, ת in תֵּבַת might have a special link to God since He is the א ת. This may gradually lead to other forms of cult practices.
There is no way we can shortcut our learning of Hebrew (or Greek) if we want to do proper exegesis of Scriptures.
I am sure Hebrew scholars have spent countless of hours going through all the above steps. Even the lexicons are produced by scholars who have done careful study of the Scriptures to gain a full knowledge of the text.
Never shortcut your learning but take it one step at a time and make this an exciting journey
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Credit mention: Israel Institute of Biblical Studies
Exodus in Genesis
The story of Abram and Sarai’s sojourn in Egypt (Gen. 12:10–13:2), is not only about Abram and Sarai: it foreshadows the Exodus of Israel that would happen 400 years later. In both accounts, we find a descent to Egypt as a result of “heavy famine”; plagues upon the Egyptians and expulsion from Egypt because of the plagues; and the departure from Egypt with great richesץ
Redeemer in the Ark
Any English reader knows that Noah and his family were saved in the Ark – tevah in Hebrew. Surprisingly, we find the same word, tevah, in the story of Moses: baby Moses was put into the ark. Why would the Torah use the word “ark” here, instead of the common Hebrew word for basket? The answer is clear: to make an intentional link between the two stories—Noah prefigures Moses’ role as Israel’s redeemer.
Discover New layers in the Scripture
Just as Abram’s descent to Egypt and Noah’s rescue from the Flood foreshadow later events, there are many more stories like these in the Torah. But how can we find them? While a shared plot can also be seen in translation, shared words and phrases can only be discovered in the Hebrew text. Enroll in our course Discovering the Hebrew Bible – and you will indeed discover completely new layers in the Scriptures.
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