Hebrew: The Revived Tongue of the Ancients

Hebrew, known as the language of the Bible, is a Semitic language spoken predominantly in Israel. Its rich historical, religious, and cultural roots have made it an object of study and reverence across the world. Beyond its well-acknowledged significance, there are several lesser-known facets to this ancient tongue. Here, we delve into ten intriguing aspects of the Hebrew language that might surprise even its ardent admirers.

1. From Dead to Living:

Hebrew is one of the few languages that has been successfully revived from being a “dead” language. By the Middle Ages, Hebrew had ceased to be a spoken language and was primarily used in religious, literary, and scholarly contexts. The Zionist movement in the late 19th century, led by Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, undertook significant efforts to revive Hebrew as a spoken language, and it is now the native tongue for millions.

2. No Vowels in the Script:

The Hebrew alphabet, or Aleph-Bet, consists of 22 letters, all of which are consonants. Originally, the language did not have written vowels. Over time, a system of diacritical marks called “nikkud” was developed to represent vowel sounds, but they are generally used only in religious texts, poetry, and texts for those learning the language.

3. Read Right to Left:

Unlike many Western languages, Hebrew is written and read from right to left. This is a characteristic shared with other Semitic languages like Arabic and Aramaic.

4. Unique Numerical System:

Each letter in the Hebrew alphabet has a numerical value, known as Gematria. This system has given rise to Jewish numerology, where words or phrases with the same numerical value are considered related, leading to interpretations and commentaries based on these relationships.

5. Sister Language to Arabic:

Hebrew and Arabic share a lot of linguistic similarities due to their common Semitic roots. Many words sound similar and have related meanings, such as “shalom” (peace) in Hebrew and “salaam” in Arabic.

6. Ancient Paleo-Hebrew Script:

Before the adoption of the familiar square script (Aramaic script) that we see today, ancient Hebrew was written in the Paleo-Hebrew script. This script is notably different from the contemporary Aleph-Bet and can be seen on some ancient inscriptions and coins.

7. Genders in Inanimate Objects:

In Hebrew, every noun has a gender, either masculine or feminine, and this includes inanimate objects. This determines the form of adjectives and verbs that modify or relate to them.

8. Seven Words for Praise:

Hebrew, given its Biblical origins, has seven different words for “praise,” each expressing a unique form of adoration. This emphasizes the nuanced way the ancient Hebrews viewed the act of praising.

9. Two Diverse Pronunciation Systems:

There are two main pronunciation systems in Hebrew – Ashkenazi and Sephardi. The Ashkenazi system has its origins in Central and Eastern European Jewry, while the Sephardi system is associated with Spanish, Portuguese, and North African Jews. Modern Israeli Hebrew is based largely on the Sephardi system.

10. Endless Compound Words:

Modern Hebrew has a fascinating way of dealing with modern concepts and inventions. Instead of borrowing words, Hebrew often combines existing ones. For instance, “ice cream” translates to “glida” in Hebrew, a compound of “galed” (ice) and “da” (to know).

Conclusion:

Hebrew, with its millennia-old history, is not just a relic of the past but a living testament to the adaptability and resilience of language. Whether one approaches it from a standpoint of faith, history, or pure linguistic interest, Hebrew continues to offer depths waiting to be explored and appreciated.