Hebrew Language
Hebrew Language
The Hebrew language is a Semitic language of the Northern Central (also called Northwestern) group. It is closely related to Phoenician and Moabite, with which it is often placed by scholars in a Canaanite subgroup. Spoken in ancient times in Palestine, Hebrew was supplanted by the western dialect of Aramaic beginning about the 3rd century BCE. It was revived as a spoken language in the 19th and 20th centuries and is the official language of Israel.
Historical Development
Biblical Hebrew
Biblical Hebrew, also known as Classical Hebrew, was the language in which most of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) was written. This period of the language dates from the 12th to the 2nd century BCE. The language of the Bible is sometimes referred to as "early Hebrew," in contrast to the spoken and written "middle Hebrew" reflected in the Mishnah, Talmud, and Midrash.
Mishnaic Hebrew
Mishnaic Hebrew, also known as Rabbinic Hebrew, is the language of the Mishnah, a collection of Jewish traditions written around 200 CE. This form of Hebrew was never used among the people as a spoken language but was significant in religious and scholarly contexts.
Medieval Hebrew
Medieval Hebrew, from about the 6th to the 13th century CE, saw many words borrowed from Greek, Spanish, Arabic, and other languages. This period was marked by the use of Hebrew in various literary and scholarly works.
Modern Hebrew
Modern Hebrew, the language of Israel in modern times, was developed in the 19th and 20th centuries. The revival of Hebrew as a spoken language took place in Europe and the Southern Levant region toward the end of the 19th century and into the 20th century. This process transformed Hebrew from a sacred language of Judaism to a spoken and written language used for daily life in Israel.
Phonology and Grammar
Phonology
Hebrew phonology includes a set of consonants and vowels that have evolved over time. The language originally did not include written vowels, but around the 8th century, a system of dots and dashes was developed to indicate vowel sounds. This system is known as Niqqud.
Grammar
Hebrew grammar is characterized by its use of root words, typically consisting of three consonants, which form the basis for various words and meanings. The language employs a system of verb conjugations, noun declensions, and other grammatical structures that have been influenced by its historical development.
Writing System
The Hebrew alphabet consists of 22 letters and is written from right to left. The script has undergone various changes over the centuries, from the ancient script used in Biblical times to the modern script used today. The pen-written forms of the Old Hebrew alphabet are best preserved in the 13th-century CE documents of the Samaritan sects.
Cultural and Religious Significance
Hebrew has always been regarded as the language of Israel's religion, history, and national pride. Even after it faded as a spoken language, it continued to be used as a lingua franca among scholars and Jews traveling in foreign countries. The language played a crucial role in Jewish religious practices, literature, and scholarship.
Revival and Modern Usage
The revival of Hebrew as a spoken language in the 19th and 20th centuries was a significant cultural and linguistic achievement. Today, Hebrew is spoken by millions of people around the world and is the official language of Israel. The language has also been called the speech of Canaan and Judean, after the kingdom of Judah.