Apart from job security for yours truly, an Old Testament Professor at the Seminary, there are many important and significant reasons to tackle Hebrew. First and foremost, it is one of the original languages in which the Holy Scriptures were written. Generally, that alone is considered reason enough to be about the task. However, there is much more. It is in the Old Testament Scriptures that we first hear the beautiful Gospel promises of a Savior. Man who is separated from God by sin is told, clearly, that this separation is unacceptable in God’s eyes and because man is unable to come to God, God promise to come to man in His Son. Unfortunately, translations are not always able to convey the depth of this promise or the rich texture of God’s covenant.
Knowing Hebrew opens up the Scriptures in a way no translation can hope to accomplish. Knowing Hebrew will not only help you preach and teach the Old Testament it will make you want to preach and teach it! Knowing Hebrew “sets the table” for the New Testament fulfillment of the covenant in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Knowing Hebrew is an essential tool for the pastor. Greek, well…
By Prof. Jeffrey Pulse, STM, Associate Professor of Exegetical Theology
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Prof. Pulse,
I’ve always wondered: Why is it better for us to learn do do exegesis in the Masoretic Text instead of the LXX?
Der Bettler’s last blog post..Distinctions
I enjoy learning Hebrew although it’s tough going. I too would like to hear a response to the question asked above.
“This is a frequently asked question. After all, why bother to learn two languages (Hebrew and Greek) when you can get by with one! There are actually several reasons. First, Hebrew is an eastern based language while Greek is a western based language. Because of the way they are structured and their different approach to language, translating from one to the other is often frought with danger! Second, the LXX was translated @270 BCE in Alexandria, Egypt and was done with certain agendas. The Greek speaking Jews of Alexandria wanted to build their status in this Greek city. As a result, the translation is often “tweaked” to help their cause. A careful examination reveals some of the direction they desired. We can see this is the many revisions and recensions of this LXX text which generally attempts to return to a closer translation of the Hebrew. It is true that the Early Church Fathers used the LXX and many of the quotes in the NT are from the LXX, but the question really is, why eat hamburger when steak is right before you?”
Well said, Prof. Pulse. Thank you for your answer.
But this doesn’t mean that I’m going to enjoy re-taking my strong verb test any more than I was before!
Der Bettler’s last blog post..Distinctions
I cannot argue with that!
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