Hebrew Word Study: A Hebrew Teacher's Search for the Heart of God

by Chaim Bentorah

There is a growing interest in the Christian community to study the Hebrew language. Many Christians have expressed a deep feeling that there is much more to the Old Testament than one experiences in a first reading. There is a growing hunger among Christians to study the biblical languages to gain this deeper insight.
As a Christian who was raised in an evangelical Christian environment, I am convinced there are spiritual lessons in the Old Testament that we as Christians never experienced. As a Hebrew teacher who has studied the Hebrew language from both a Christian and Jewish perspective, I am convinced that there are truths buried in the Old Testament that have never been exposed to us. A day rarely passes that I do not discover something new and exciting about God and my relationship with Him that I have never realized in a lifetime of walking with God.
I have learned that the Old Testament is like the heart of God; it is a well that will never run dry. In this book, you will discover things about God and your relationship with him that you may never have considered. Perhaps you have considered such things but found no biblical reference to confirm it. Ultimately, what you will be discovering is God revealing His heart to you through the depths of His Word as shown through the ancient Hebrew.
EBOOK Due to device limitations this eBook is not compatible with the iPad/iPhone using an eReader app such as the Kindle or Nook app. Please note that Hebrew text will be transposed with this app.

112 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 10, 2012

Reviews

[Les Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Believe that The Name “Hashem (Hebrew: השם‎‎)” should have been used. Not Jehovah as he knows there is no J in Hebrew and the name Jehovah appears nowhere in Scripture. The proper Hebrew name for Jesus is Yeshua (יֵשׁוּעַ), which means salvation. The Argument that it’s alright to use a transliterated name, but why Yeshua (יֵשׁוּעַ) is His Name and since He gave His life for you surly He has the right to be called by his Name. Would the author like everyone to call him Fred? Of course not he would be quick to tell you his correct name. Do so for our Saviour as there is no other name whereby we are saved.

[Jeff McCormack · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this devotional type book. Each small chapter dealt with a deeper look into the Hebrew Scriptures showing how down to the letter just what could and should be understood. Very nice study.

[Donnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A favorite author of mine wrote, "We see our world through the "spectacles" of our language, and every language envisions the world in a different way." Jesus Christ was a practicing Jew who lived in Israel over 2000 years ago. He probably spoke Hebrew, Aramaic, and possibly even Latin and Greek, since these were the languages of his world. What do his words mean and sound like in his language? In order to answer this question, I decided to learn Hebrew, not just Hebrew, but Biblical Hebrew, and this was one of the first books I read.

Hebrew is a unique language and must be learned in "context". There are only about 33 to 44,000 words as compared to English, which in 1993's Oxford English Dictionary Addendum added 470,000 new entries to its third edition.

For example, in the Hebrew culture the word "Shema (Shmah) has the primary meaning of to hear or listen. In our culture to hear is a mental activity, meaning our ears pick up a sound. But Shema describes hearing and its outcomes. In Hebrew to hear is to understand, taking heed, being obedient, doing what is asked. Listening or hearing should result in action. Shema is also the name of a Jewish prayer said morning and evening. Understanding the language and its meaning helps to understand the words of Jesus in scripture where he says "He that has ears to hear, let him hear, not just to the sound but to the action required.

As a "Christian" learning to translate scripture directly from Hebrew into English has given me a whole new perspective about this man I recognize as my redeemer. Christ was a reformer. He did not come to establish a new religion called Christianity, but in effect came to tell the Jews you people are not translating "my word" correctly. Christ taught from the Old Testament, the Tanakh, and he elevates the Mosiac law to its original level before the Rabbinic Schools hedged it in rules and regulations and the Church fathers alienated it from its Jewish foundations.

"Hebrew word study is learning how a word or phrase was used by the authors of the Tanakh and other ancient Jewish literature. It involves examining the definitions, origins, cultural and emotional contexts, and biblical applications of the words. Hebrew word study can help Christians know God better and grow more like His Son." Chaim Bentorah, is convinced that anyone can study the Word of God in the original language, especially with the online resources available through electronic media, no matter their age, education, or abilities. I believe him.

He speaks to church and para church groups about the nature and means of studying the Old Testament in the Original Hebrew. He is convinced that any Christian no matter their age, educational background or abilities can study the Word of God in the original languages using the resources that are available today online and through electronic media. He conducts classes in how to use these resources to their full advantage.

[Jana Lutovsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Chaim Bentorah's book is like talking to an excellent restaurant owner - a sommelier, even! - enjoying his recommended meal and wine with a friend, then mulling it over with coffee. It is digestible but not lite. Far from being merely conversational, there is a lot of deep meaning and subtlety even for the novice that the author draws from God's book without getting us in any saucy entanglements. For example, he cites Job 12:22, "He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of death." He goes into original Hebrew root words, ending with, "If we abide in His light, He will bring [secrets and mysteries] to us. To learn the secrets of God, therefore, we must abide in His light; or, as I like to say, we must abide in His heart." Reading Hebrew Word Study is a great way to accomplish this aim. You won't find photo illustrations, but that is ok. Chaim paints a picture that is palpable, olfactory and leaves an indelible picture on the mind and imagination. When I read two chapters a day it is guaranteed I have a lot to meditate on.

[steve matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

Wonderful book I wish it would not end. Mr. Bentorah has changed the way I read the Bible. Searching for God's Heart is something that we all should do, Take this challenge read this book as part of your daily devotion to the Lord you will be amazed at the things the Lord has to show you. Mr. Bentorah great is your reward