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Listening to the Language of the Bible: Hearing It Through Jesus' Ears
Listening to the Language of the Bible is a guide for discovering the richness of the Scriptures in their Hebraic setting.
The book contains more than 60 brief, illustrated devotional articles that unpack the meaning of biblical words and phrases for life today. By examining the Hebrew and Jewish cultural context of some of the Bible’s seemingly odd phrases, it shares insights that clarify reading and deepen Bible study.
Listening looks at many topics from the perspective of the ancient writers, including prayer, family and the promised Messiah. It also looks at the words of Jesus in light of first-century Jewish culture. The book can be read by itself for a brief overview, or with the Companion Bible Study as a guide to explore the Scriptures from a Hebraic perspective.
The book contains more than 60 brief, illustrated devotional articles that unpack the meaning of biblical words and phrases for life today. By examining the Hebrew and Jewish cultural context of some of the Bible’s seemingly odd phrases, it shares insights that clarify reading and deepen Bible study.
Listening looks at many topics from the perspective of the ancient writers, including prayer, family and the promised Messiah. It also looks at the words of Jesus in light of first-century Jewish culture. The book can be read by itself for a brief overview, or with the Companion Bible Study as a guide to explore the Scriptures from a Hebraic perspective.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 31, 2004
18 people are currently reading
558 people want to read
About the author
Lois Tverberg
16 books166 followersLois Tverberg has been speaking and writing about the Jewish background of Christianity for the past twenty years. Her passion is to translate the Bible’s ancient setting into fresh insights that deepen and strengthen Christian faith.
Lois grew up with plenty of Sunday school knowledge, but it wasn’t until after she had earned a PhD in biology and was teaching as a college professor that her fascination for biblical study was ignited by a seminar at her church. She has since studied several times in Israel, taking courses in biblical Hebrew, Koine Greek, and in the physical and cultural context of the Bible.
In 2009 Lois partnered with Ann Spangler to write the bestselling Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus (Zondervan). Together they explored his first-century world of rabbis and disciples, festivals, prayers and the Torah, and discovered how restoring Jesus to his Jewish reality sheds light on his life and ministry.
Later Lois followed up with Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus (Zondervan, 2012), where she challenged her audience to follow their Rabbi more closely by hearing his teachings in light of Jewish thought.
She released her latest book in 2018: Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus (Baker). By showing how the Bible communicated ideas within a Middle Eastern, Jewish cultural context, it equips its audience to read the Scriptures more like first-century disciples and give them tools to explore it more deeply.
Lois brings to her writing a surprising set of tools from her training as a scientist. She received her BA in physics at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and her PhD in Molecular Physiology from the University of Iowa. She has published several scientific papers and holds a patent from her PhD research. For several years she taught biology at Hope College in Holland, Michigan.
In 2001 she cofounded the En-Gedi Resource Center (EnGediResourceCenter.com), an educational ministry with a goal of deepening Christian understanding of the Bible in its context. There she published her first book, Listening to the Language of the Bible (En-Gedi Resource Center, 2004), a devotional guide to Hebrew words and ideas.
Lois currently writes from her home in Holland, Michigan. Along with writing, she speaks at churches, conferences, and retreats. Her current news and articles are available on her website, Our Rabbi Jesus: His Jewish Life and Teaching, at http://OurRabbiJesus.com.
Lois grew up with plenty of Sunday school knowledge, but it wasn’t until after she had earned a PhD in biology and was teaching as a college professor that her fascination for biblical study was ignited by a seminar at her church. She has since studied several times in Israel, taking courses in biblical Hebrew, Koine Greek, and in the physical and cultural context of the Bible.
In 2009 Lois partnered with Ann Spangler to write the bestselling Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus (Zondervan). Together they explored his first-century world of rabbis and disciples, festivals, prayers and the Torah, and discovered how restoring Jesus to his Jewish reality sheds light on his life and ministry.
Later Lois followed up with Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus (Zondervan, 2012), where she challenged her audience to follow their Rabbi more closely by hearing his teachings in light of Jewish thought.
She released her latest book in 2018: Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus (Baker). By showing how the Bible communicated ideas within a Middle Eastern, Jewish cultural context, it equips its audience to read the Scriptures more like first-century disciples and give them tools to explore it more deeply.
Lois brings to her writing a surprising set of tools from her training as a scientist. She received her BA in physics at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and her PhD in Molecular Physiology from the University of Iowa. She has published several scientific papers and holds a patent from her PhD research. For several years she taught biology at Hope College in Holland, Michigan.
In 2001 she cofounded the En-Gedi Resource Center (EnGediResourceCenter.com), an educational ministry with a goal of deepening Christian understanding of the Bible in its context. There she published her first book, Listening to the Language of the Bible (En-Gedi Resource Center, 2004), a devotional guide to Hebrew words and ideas.
Lois currently writes from her home in Holland, Michigan. Along with writing, she speaks at churches, conferences, and retreats. Her current news and articles are available on her website, Our Rabbi Jesus: His Jewish Life and Teaching, at http://OurRabbiJesus.com.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 26, 2025
This is another resource from Lois Tverberg that is accessible for all readers and full of Hebraic insight. The book contains word studies of 61 different Hebrew words. Each study is two pages long and very easy to digest for the “beginner” learner who’s curious to learn some Hebrew without taking a course.
The book could easily be used as a morning devotional source, each study taking 5–10 minutes to read and leaving lots of room for the reader to consider their own personal application.
The book could easily be used as a morning devotional source, each study taking 5–10 minutes to read and leaving lots of room for the reader to consider their own personal application.
January 10, 2013
"Listening to the Language of the Bible" is a Bible study that can be used as a devotional. There are 61 chapters that are each 2 pages long. Each chapter focused on a different Hebrew word that doesn't translate easily into English due to cultural differences or that can be better understood with some background context.
There were different sections that focused on different types of things: Hebrew words that have a wider or slightly different meaning than we get from the English word, a different cultural way of at looking at things, Jewish word imagery and figures of speech, family relationships, Jewish prayer and Jesus' prayers, and what the Jews expected from their Messiah.
Lois Tverberg took some of these ideas and made them into a longer, more detailed book ("Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus"). If you found that book interesting, then you'll probably also enjoy this one despite some overlap in the information. I'd also recommend this book for use as an interesting and insightful devotional.
There were different sections that focused on different types of things: Hebrew words that have a wider or slightly different meaning than we get from the English word, a different cultural way of at looking at things, Jewish word imagery and figures of speech, family relationships, Jewish prayer and Jesus' prayers, and what the Jews expected from their Messiah.
Lois Tverberg took some of these ideas and made them into a longer, more detailed book ("Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus"). If you found that book interesting, then you'll probably also enjoy this one despite some overlap in the information. I'd also recommend this book for use as an interesting and insightful devotional.
July 10, 2022
As it says in Proverbs 4:7, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” This book digs deeper into the cultural and linguistic background of several Bible words, revealing rich and precious treasures in understanding.
July 25, 2016
I enjoyed this book and it was a pretty quick read. This is written on a level that anyone, no matter what your depth (or lack of) biblical knowledge, you'll understand and enjoy it. The book is about helping one to understand concepts and how Biblical translations can fail to capture the true meaning of scripture. It takes various passages of the Bible and explains the Hebrew language used in the original Bible vs. how it's been translated and also throwing in cultural concepts one would not necessarily know. It is not in-depth or comprehensive. You don't need any level of understanding of Hebrew to understand the concepts presented. I think any believer whether brand new of many years would benefit from this book and it won't take you long to read (it's less than 200 pages). Glad I got this!
May 6, 2018
Fascinating read
Learning the language of the bible is a relatively new experience for me and Lois Tverberg's books, including this one, have ignited a new fire within me to study the bible in a new way.
Learning the language of the bible is a relatively new experience for me and Lois Tverberg's books, including this one, have ignited a new fire within me to study the bible in a new way.
September 30, 2024
This is a work to assist in your study of the Bible. The authors provide additional understanding of various scriptures by expounding on HEBREW words and the possible translations. It is easy to see how certain scriptures in ENGLISH can change or expand by using a different translation of certain HEBREW words. A wonderful resource for scripture study.
January 15, 2022
I read this book as a devotional slowly and found it to deepen my understanding of the Word as I understand the Jewish roots of so many of the verses. Just a taste as so much more could be said but a grounded taste.
July 17, 2022
Informative Read
I love digging in deeper into God's word and discovering deeper meanings. This book presents words and phrases and what the 1st century believers heard, what we often miss today.
I love digging in deeper into God's word and discovering deeper meanings. This book presents words and phrases and what the 1st century believers heard, what we often miss today.
August 26, 2025
It was a great learning experience for me, interacting with the language of the Bible. The insight into the context and meaning of words used in their original setting has created a yearning to know more.
December 6, 2021
Interesting commentary on the meanings of and cultural contexts of some of the words Jesus spoke.
May 5, 2022
Absolutely love learning in this way. Wonderful author leading me into greater understanding of Jesus and the culture context of scripture.
May 6, 2023
Mark & I did this study over Saturday morning breakfast. Really enjoyed how it gives you a deeper understanding of scripture and what God is teaching you!
January 14, 2024
Quick read explaining Hebrew phrases . . .
November 18, 2025
Lois Tverberg and Bruce Okema have created an excellent book reviewing sixty-one common Hebrew words frequently used in the New Testament.
Each little chapter reveals the full meaning of the word in Hebrew and then unpacks the New Testament verses where Jesus uses these words.
For example, the Hebrew word 'besorah' meaning 'good tidings' is used in Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'
This isn't trivial news, but earth-shaking, that will change the whole world forever, like the end of World War II. So the coming of the Messiah, the Jewish King to rule the world, changed it forever.
Is it any wonder this 'good news' is called the Gospel?
The second time I read this, I enjoyed it just as much. I used the book as a daily devotional.
Each little chapter reveals the full meaning of the word in Hebrew and then unpacks the New Testament verses where Jesus uses these words.
For example, the Hebrew word 'besorah' meaning 'good tidings' is used in Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'
This isn't trivial news, but earth-shaking, that will change the whole world forever, like the end of World War II. So the coming of the Messiah, the Jewish King to rule the world, changed it forever.
Is it any wonder this 'good news' is called the Gospel?
The second time I read this, I enjoyed it just as much. I used the book as a daily devotional.
June 8, 2016
This is a must have book to any Christian that wants to understand better the Word of God. With an amazing simplicity the authors explain the significance of some key Hebrew words used in the scriptures, that at the end have a deeper cultural meaning than the simple translation to a single English word. After reading their explanation for many different verses, things get so clear that the next time you read the Bible, it will not be in black and white, but you will be reading in colors!
I really recommend this book to the permanent library of all Christian readers that are willing to improve their knowledge on the Scriptures.
I really recommend this book to the permanent library of all Christian readers that are willing to improve their knowledge on the Scriptures.
January 11, 2008
Book of two page devotionals, covering different Hebrew words from Jewish context and culture. Some better than others – more seeds than in depth study. Makes some assumptions that need to be corrected. Worth a quick read to stimulate thoughts and further study.
January 31, 2015
this book dealt mainly with the meaning and uses of Hebrew words. although the word were interesting, the explanations and illustrations were pretty platitudinal. I didn't get much out of this one. recommended for 7th graders with a peripheral interest in Hebrew.
February 5, 2016
Hebrew Word Study
Do you think that some parts of the Bible are obscure?
This little book Will remove a few mysteries.
No knowledge of Hebrew is required but some of the language will further enhance your experience.
Do you think that some parts of the Bible are obscure?
This little book Will remove a few mysteries.
No knowledge of Hebrew is required but some of the language will further enhance your experience.
August 2, 2010
Bite sized readings of some of the Hebrew words that shape our faith. Its very easy to read the sections and a small devotional. Its not bad, but not amazing either.
July 27, 2009
Okay. Jewish roots
January 25, 2011
Excellent devotional. Highly recommended.
February 27, 2012
Grab this along with the Complete Jewish Bible and add to your study shelves.
May 25, 2012
Eye opening!
March 18, 2015
It's broken into 61 sections that are all easy reads...more like a devotional. Lots of great insights and things to think about. Good book!
January 30, 2016
This was an excellent resource for deepening my understanding of the imagery used in the Bible!
May 5, 2016
Great Insights!!!
This is a wonderful book that helps explain difficult passages as they were written. Definitely worth the read!!! Very well done!!
This is a wonderful book that helps explain difficult passages as they were written. Definitely worth the read!!! Very well done!!
July 16, 2017
Delightful. One of those books that is perpetually on my 'reading' list. I keep coming back, enjoying it all over again.
April 21, 2017
Help expand your Biblical knowledge by understanding some of the deeper meanings of Hebrew words. Each chapter can be read as a daily devotion and by the time you are finished you will understand some of the story behind the stories. Would also be great to use in a small group Bible study.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews