Biblical Hebrew is a Dead Language (And That’s Good)

Biblical Hebrew is a dead language. That sounds like a spicy take, but it changes everything about how you should learn it.

In this video, we explore why treating Biblical Hebrew like a living, spoken language (like Modern Hebrew) is actually holding you back. From pronunciation to vocabulary, learning the "language of the dead" requires a different set of skills—and offers a different kind of reward.
We’ll look at the specific challenges of ancient texts, why you shouldn't worry about speaking fluency, and how to appreciate the finite beauty of the Hebrew Bible.

Topics Covered:
Living vs. Dead Languages
Why pronunciation is performative, not essential
How to handle vocabulary and "unknown" words
Why you don't need to read fast

Helpful Resources:
Westminster Hebrew Vocabulary (Schwartz/Groves) https://ankiweb.net/shared/info/81920...
Dr. Taylor Jones ‪@languagejones‬ on Language Acquisition    / @languagejones  

CHAPTERS:
00:00 The "Hot Take"
00:26 Intro to Gilgamesh
01:03 Defining a "Dead Language"
02:00 How Time Works (Linguistics)
04:15 Living vs. Dead Languages
06:35 Point 1: One-Sided Conversation
06:48 Point 2: Pronunciation Doesn't Matter
11:07 Point 3: Audio Comprehension
12:07 Point 4: Speed is Irrelevant
13:01 Point 5: Word Meanings & Modern Hebrew
14:54 Point 6: Grammar is Descriptive
17:19 Point 7: The Text is Finite (Vocabulary)
19:11 Point 8: The Text is Unknown
21:26 Conclusion

#BiblicalHebrew #AncientLanguages #HebrewBible #LanguageLearning #OldTestament #Theology #AncientHistory #bible #religion