Jeff A. Benner | A History of Hebrew Part 10: The Hebrew Root System @ancienthebreworg | Uploaded July 2009 | Updated October 2024, 1 hour ago.
A History of Hebrew DVD available through Amazon.Com - amazon.com/History-Hebrew-Its-Language-Philosophy/dp/1621370593
---------------------------
This is a segment of a much larger video production that I am working on and am looking for feedback (positive and negative) on the layout and content.
___________________
Like a tree with its roots, trunk, branches and leaves, the Hebrew language is a system of roots and words, where one word, and its meaning is the foundation to a number of other words whose spelling and meaning are related back to that one root.
As an example, the root M-L-K (melekh) means "rule." This root can be used as a verb meaning to rule, or as a noun meaning a ruler, or king. Other nouns are created out of this root by adding other letters. By adding the letter Hey to the end of the root, the word malkah is formed which is a female ruler, a queen. By adding a Vav to this feminine noun, the word malukhah is formed meaning "royalty." By adding the letters vav-tav to the end of the root, the noun malkut is formed meaning the area ruled by the ruler, the kingdom.
By studying the relationship between words and their roots we can better understand the meanings of these words within their original context. Let's take 3 English words found in English translations of the Bible; Maiden, Eternity and Secret. These three words are, from our interpretation, three very unrelated words. But let us examine the Hebrew words behind these translations. The Hebrew word for maiden is Almah, for eternity is Olam and the word for secret is Tealmah. Each of these words share the same three letters; The Ayin, the Lamed and the Mem.
Each of these words are related as they come from the same root A-L-M. Rather than perceiving them as different and independent words, we need to recognize that there meanings are related. By interpreting these words in context of their root relationship, we are able to uncover their original meanings.
The root A-L-M literally means beyond the horizon, that hazy distance that is difficult to see. By extension it means to be out of sight, hidden from view. Almah is the young woman that is hidden away (protected) in the home. Olam is a place or time that is in the far distance and is hidden to us. Tealmah is a something that is hidden away.
Besides being able to find the common meaning in different words of the same root, we are also able to distinguish between different meanings of words that come from different roots. There are two Hebrew words translated as "moon." One is yere'ahh which comes from a root meaning "to follow a prescribed path" and is therefore used for the motion of the moon. The other is lavanah which comes from a root meaning "to be white" and is therefore used for its bright appearance.
___________________
Narrator: Jeff A. Benner
Graphics: Jeff A. Benner
Music: Callen Clark, Desert City by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Photos: Merritt College, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Gerrit Gillespie
A History of Hebrew DVD available through Amazon.Com - amazon.com/History-Hebrew-Its-Language-Philosophy/dp/1621370593
---------------------------
This is a segment of a much larger video production that I am working on and am looking for feedback (positive and negative) on the layout and content.
___________________
Like a tree with its roots, trunk, branches and leaves, the Hebrew language is a system of roots and words, where one word, and its meaning is the foundation to a number of other words whose spelling and meaning are related back to that one root.
As an example, the root M-L-K (melekh) means "rule." This root can be used as a verb meaning to rule, or as a noun meaning a ruler, or king. Other nouns are created out of this root by adding other letters. By adding the letter Hey to the end of the root, the word malkah is formed which is a female ruler, a queen. By adding a Vav to this feminine noun, the word malukhah is formed meaning "royalty." By adding the letters vav-tav to the end of the root, the noun malkut is formed meaning the area ruled by the ruler, the kingdom.
By studying the relationship between words and their roots we can better understand the meanings of these words within their original context. Let's take 3 English words found in English translations of the Bible; Maiden, Eternity and Secret. These three words are, from our interpretation, three very unrelated words. But let us examine the Hebrew words behind these translations. The Hebrew word for maiden is Almah, for eternity is Olam and the word for secret is Tealmah. Each of these words share the same three letters; The Ayin, the Lamed and the Mem.
Each of these words are related as they come from the same root A-L-M. Rather than perceiving them as different and independent words, we need to recognize that there meanings are related. By interpreting these words in context of their root relationship, we are able to uncover their original meanings.
The root A-L-M literally means beyond the horizon, that hazy distance that is difficult to see. By extension it means to be out of sight, hidden from view. Almah is the young woman that is hidden away (protected) in the home. Olam is a place or time that is in the far distance and is hidden to us. Tealmah is a something that is hidden away.
Besides being able to find the common meaning in different words of the same root, we are also able to distinguish between different meanings of words that come from different roots. There are two Hebrew words translated as "moon." One is yere'ahh which comes from a root meaning "to follow a prescribed path" and is therefore used for the motion of the moon. The other is lavanah which comes from a root meaning "to be white" and is therefore used for its bright appearance.
___________________
Narrator: Jeff A. Benner
Graphics: Jeff A. Benner
Music: Callen Clark, Desert City by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Photos: Merritt College, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Gerrit Gillespie
