A History of Hebrew Part 12: The Alphabet and Language Connection

A History of Hebrew DVD available through Amazon.Com - http://www.amazon.com/History-Hebrew-Its-Language-Philosophy/dp/1621370593

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This is a segment of a much larger video production that I am working on and am looking for feedback (positive and negative) on the layout and content.

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When we wish to find the definition of an English word we go to a dictionary. While this is also true with Hebrew words, there are additional methods of determining the meaning of a Hebrew word. One such method, which has been previously demonstrated, is to examine its roots which provide additional insight into that word. Another method is to examine the meaning of the letters used to write that word. Each biliteral, or parent, root is composed of two letters and these two letters in themselves provide meaning to the word.

The Hebrew word av, is spelled aleph-beyt. The word aleph means "ox." The ox, and this letter, represents the idea of "strength." In the original pictographic script this letter was an image of an Ox head. The word beyt means tent, or house. The tent, and this letter, represents the idea of "home." In the original pictographic script the beyt was an image of the nomadic Hebrews tent. This image includes the entrance and the wall inside that separates the men's side from the women's side. When the meanings of these two letters are combined we have the meaning "the strength of the home" and descriptive of "the father."

The Hebrew word BN is spelled beyt-nun. As we have just found, this letter represents the home. The word nun means "seed," but also represents the idea of "continuing." In the original pictographic script the nun is an image of a seed. The seed is produced from the plant to "continue" the lineage to the next generation. When the meaning of these two letters are combined we have the meaning "the home continues" and is descriptive of a "son," the meaning of the Hebrew word BN.

The Hebrew word AM is spelled aleph-mem. As demonstrated, the aleph represents strength. The Hebrew word mayim (which mem comes from) means "water." In the original pictographic script the mem is a picture of "water."When combined these two letters mean "strong water" which is "glue." The Hebrew word AM means "mother" who is the "glue" of the family.

The Hebrew word AL is spelled aleph-lamed. The aleph represents strength. In the original script the lamed is a picture of a shepherd staff and represents "authority." The Hebrew word AL, from its pictographs, mean "the strong authority" and is the Hebrew word for God.

The implication of this relationship between the meanings of Hebrew words and the letters, is that the words and letters form a dependent symbiotic relationship. If this relationship is true, it means that the Hebrew vocabulary and alphabet were formed together and did not evolve independently over a long period of time. For this reason, most scholars reject this symbiotic relationship.

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Narration: Jeff A. Benner

Graphics: Jeff A. Benner

Footage: Uri Harel (God's Learning Channel)

Music: Callen Clark

Видео A History of Hebrew Part 12: The Alphabet and Language Connection канала Jeff A. Benner