Learn to Read Biblical Hebrew | 06 Chet, Mem, Nun

LEARN TO READ BIBLICAL HEBREW | 06 Chet, Mem, Nun
~
In this episode of our "Learn to Read Biblical Hebrew" course, we take an in-depth look into the 8th, 13th and 14th letters of the Hebrew Alphabet: CHET, MEM and NUN.

We continue to study the letters non-sequentially, in order to keep forming basic ("child root") two-letter words; and thereby building on our Hebrew vocabulary.

CHET. Literally a "barrier" or a "wall". Eighth letter of the alphabet, representing everything associated with a wall: a barrier, shelter, protection... The "Chet" has the sound "ggggh".

MEM. This letter means "water" or "chaos" and is seen beautifully in the Ancient pictographic script where the "Mem" is represented by the picture of waves. The "Mem" has an "mmm" sound and is one of 5 Hebrew letters that has a different form - the end/final or "sofit" form in Hebrew - when the letter occurs at the end of a word.

NUN. Literally "seed" and means "to continue". It is pronounced as "nnn" and also has a different end form - the NUN SOFIT - when it occurs at the end of a Hebrew word.

HEBREW VOCABULARY:

From the letters ALEPH, BEIT, LAMED as well as CHET, MEM and NUN we discuss nine new Hebrew words:

ACH (אח). This noun literally means "strong barrier" or "strong wall" and is also the word for "brother".

EM (אֵם). This the word for "mother" - seen as the binding agent or glue of the family: the "strong water".

IM (אִם). Same Hebrew letters, different vowel points. The word "IM" means "if" or "in case of".

CHAM (חם). This Hebrew adjective means "hot" - as in the temperature. This is also the proper name of one of the sons of Noah.

CHEN (חן). This noun is usually translated as "grace, mercy, favour" but literally means "wall continues". The word "CHEN" refers to the outer, protective wall formed by the nomadic tented camp - which offered protection against the wild, against predators, pirates etc. And it also meant everything 'safety' for the nomadic community.

MA' (מא). This Aramaic version of the Hebrew word "MAH" (מה) is the question "What?". Important since four of the books in the Tanakh (Old Testament) were written in Aramaic.

MAL (מלֹ). The Hebrew verb "to circumsize".

NA' (נא). Adverb meaning "please, if you please".

BEN (בּן). The word for "son" as in the "household continues"

Presented and Produced by Helmut Meijer

Music courtesy of http://www.stonebed.io