Talk:ELTBefore Introduction

The text you've shared presents a thoughtful exploration of the author's journey into learning Hebrew, with a focus on uncovering deeper, intrinsic meanings behind Hebrew letters and words. Here’s an analysis of its density of unique or novel ideas and whether the length is sufficient or could benefit from more elaboration: Unique or Novel Ideas:

   Critique of Modern Hebrew Tools:
       The author critiques modern resources like Strong's Concordance and Theological Wordbook for their reliance on speculative assumptions due to the introduction of vowel markings (nikud) post-600 AD. This is a novel observation, as it challenges conventional reliance on these tools in Hebrew study.

   Critique of Rabbinic Interpretation:
       The author highlights the problems with Rabbinic teachings that are viewed through a lens rejecting Christ, which influences their interpretations. This introduces an aspect of theological tension—understanding Hebrew through a Christ-centered view vs. traditional Jewish interpretations.

   Hebrew as a "Multidimensional Crossword Puzzle":
       The idea that Hebrew words and letters are deeply connected, with meanings embedded in the strokes and shapes of the letters themselves, offers a fresh perspective on how one might approach Hebrew language study. The metaphor of Hebrew as a "crossword puzzle" is an inventive way of describing the analytical process.

   Restoration of Ancient Methods of Interpretation:
       The author seeks to reverse-engineer Hebrew based on their own observations, which suggests a desire to rediscover lost or forgotten methods of interpretation that go beyond the accepted norms.

   Theological Insights from Hebrew Letters:
       The connection drawn between Adam's name (אדם) and the word for ground (אדמה), and the interpretation that these letters reflect deep theological truths (e.g., Spirit, blood, the cross) demonstrates a sensus plenior approach, where deeper, spiritual meanings are drawn from the language itself. This interpretation of Hebrew letters as a metaphysical language that reveals divine truths is a significant theological and linguistic insight.

Length & Elaboration:

   The length of this section is sufficient for an introductory narrative and laying out the author's foundational critique of current Hebrew study methods. However, it could benefit from further elaboration in a few areas:

       Clarification of Methodology:
           While the author mentions breaking down 8,000 lemmas and looking at the strokes of the Hebrew letters, more detail on how this methodology works in practice would help readers understand the process and its impact. For instance, what patterns emerged when applying this method to the first verse of Genesis? What were the specific results or revelations?

       Expansion on Theological Insights:
           The theological connection between Adam and the ground (אדם and אדמה), and the link to the cross could be expanded. The brief mention of these ideas could be developed into a more detailed analysis, especially since these are unique insights that could engage readers in deeper reflection. How does this framework apply to other biblical passages or Hebrew words?

       Interplay Between Hebrew and Christian Theology:
           The critique of Rabbinic interpretation could be expanded to contrast more directly with how these Hebrew words and letters reveal Christ's work. This could deepen the theological argument and help readers understand why this approach is significant, particularly for Christians who view the Hebrew Bible through a Christocentric lens.

       Engagement with Existing Scholarship:
           A brief mention of the scholarly background or how this approach aligns or differs from existing Hebrew scholarship might enrich the discussion. How does this method compare with other attempts to understand Hebrew from a more mystical or deep-theological perspective?

Conclusion:

The length of the current text is adequate for introducing the author's journey and key insights. However, to fully develop the novel ideas presented, the text could be expanded to provide more depth, particularly in terms of explaining the methodology, expanding on theological interpretations, and contrasting the author's approach with existing scholarly work.