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Hebrews

The document provides eight key principles for understanding Hebrew texts, emphasizing the importance of pictorial thinking, repetition, community context, root meanings, and narrative over theoretical approaches. It encourages readers to embrace the mystery in Hebraic literature and to utilize specific Bible tools that highlight these aspects. Ultimately, it suggests viewing the Bible as a relational and action-oriented revelation of God to His people.

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Eli Bright Semaha
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29 views3 pages

Hebrews

The document provides eight key principles for understanding Hebrew texts, emphasizing the importance of pictorial thinking, repetition, community context, root meanings, and narrative over theoretical approaches. It encourages readers to embrace the mystery in Hebraic literature and to utilize specific Bible tools that highlight these aspects. Ultimately, it suggests viewing the Bible as a relational and action-oriented revelation of God to His people.

Uploaded by

Eli Bright Semaha
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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✅ 1.

Think in Pictures, Not Just Concepts

Hebrew is a pictorial language — it paints ideas through actions,


stories, and metaphors.

🔹 Example:

 “Walk before Me and be blameless.” — Genesis 17:1


→ In Hebrew, "walk" isn't symbolic only — it means to live your
daily life in obedience.

💡 Tip:

 Ask: “What is the action here?” instead of just “What is the idea?”

✅ 2. Pay Attention to Repetition and Parallelism

Hebrew poetry and narrative often repeat things for emphasis, not
redundancy.

🔹 Example:

 “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer…” — Psalm


18:2
→ These are not just random synonyms, but layered meanings
showing God's reliability.

💡 Tip:

 Don’t rush through repetition. Each word adds richness.

✅ 3. Read with a Community or Covenant Lens

In Hebraic thinking, people are seen as part of a community and


covenant, not isolated individuals.

🔹 Example:

 “If my people who are called by my name…” — 2 Chronicles 7:14


→ The promise is corporate, not just personal.

💡 Tip:

 Interpret promises, warnings, and blessings within group


contexts, especially Israel.

✅ 4. Understand the Root Meanings of Words


Hebrew words often come from 3-letter roots that tie multiple ideas
together.

🔹 Example:

 Shalom doesn’t just mean “peace”; it comes from a root meaning


wholeness, completeness, harmony.

💡 Tip:

 Use a Hebrew lexicon (like Strong’s Concordance) to explore deeper


word meanings.

✅ 5. Embrace the Tension Between Mystery and Clarity

Hebraic texts often leave space for mystery — they don’t always explain
everything logically.

🔹 Example:

 Ecclesiastes, Job, and Proverbs show different angles on wisdom


and suffering — and don’t always “resolve” them.

💡 Tip:

 Be okay with layers of meaning and even apparent


contradictions — they invite meditation.

✅ 6. Think Narratively — Not Theoretically

Hebrew Scripture teaches theology through stories, not philosophical


essays.

🔹 Example:

 The story of Joseph shows God’s sovereignty through events, not a


doctrinal lecture.

💡 Tip:

 Ask: “What does this story reveal about God, people, and
covenant?”

✅ 7. Learn Some Hebrew Idioms and Hebraisms

Some expressions in Hebrew don’t make immediate sense in English.

🔹 Example:
 “To lift up one’s face” means to show favor.

 “Hardened heart” means someone is stubborn or resistant to


instruction.

💡 Tip:

 Study common Hebraic expressions to catch deeper meaning in


context.

✅ 8. Use Bible Tools with Hebraic Emphasis

 The Complete Jewish Bible (David Stern)

 The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible

 Interlinear Bibles or apps like Blue Letter Bible

 Books like:

o "Hebrew Word Study" by Chaim Bentorah

o "Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus" by Lois Tverberg

🔚 Final Encouragement:

Understanding Hebraic texts becomes easier when you approach the Bible
not just as a textbook, but as a relationship-based, story-shaped,
action-driven revelation of God to His covenant people.

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