Foundations of Biblical Languages: An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew and Koine Greek

The Hebrew and Greek texts that underlie the Christian Bible encode meanings that no translation fully conveys. Word choices, verb tenses, sentence structures, and the specific resonance of a term within its linguistic tradition often carry theological weight that even the best translation must sacrifice. An introductory encounter with Biblical Hebrew and Koine Greek does not make you a linguist, but it does make you a more literate reader of the texts that have shaped Western civilization and Christian theology. By the end of this course you will be able to read and write the Hebrew alphabet (including vowel markings), identify the major features of Hebrew grammar, read and write the Greek alphabet, identify key features of Koine Greek grammar, use lexical and concordance tools to investigate the original text of specific passages, and explain how knowledge of the original languages deepens interpretive understanding. What you will learn: - The Hebrew alphabet: consonants, the Masoretic vowel system, and the principles of reading right-to-left script - Essential features of Biblical Hebrew grammar: the root system, verbal stems, the definite article, and construct chains - Core Hebrew vocabulary from the most frequent words in the Hebrew Bible, with attention to terms central to theology - The Greek alphabet and pronunciation: the Erasmian system used in most academic study - Essential features of Koine Greek grammar: noun cases, verb tenses, the article, and basic clause structure - Core Greek vocabulary from the most frequent words in the New Testament, including key theological terms - Using lexicons and concordances: how to look up a Hebrew or Greek word in a standard reference tool and evaluate its range of meaning - How translators make choices: comparative analysis of how a single Hebrew or Greek phrase is rendered across three major English versions The course is structured as a carefully sequenced set of readings, illustrated grammar guides, vocabulary reference tables, and reflection prompts. Worked examples from biblical texts are provided at each stage, showing how the grammar connects to actual interpretive questions. This course is designed for students of the Bible, theology, or Christian history who are new to the original languages and want a first, principled engagement. No prior knowledge of Hebrew, Greek, or linguistics is required. You will leave with a working introduction to both languages and the tools to continue exploring them independently.