Discussion: ELTBefore Introduction

Discussion Questions

Personal Journey

1. What motivated the author to start learning Hebrew, and how did their goals evolve over time?
2. Have you ever started learning something new only to find that commonly accepted methods or tools were unreliable? How did you address this?

Challenges with Modern Hebrew Tools

1. The author criticizes tools like Strong’s Concordance and Harris’ Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament for relying on assumptions about roots and meanings. How might this impact the understanding of biblical texts?
2. How would you assess the value of modern tools in studying ancient languages despite their limitations?

Rabbinic Interpretations

1. The author critiques rabbinic interpretations for excluding Jesus and for inaccuracies regarding Hebrew’s structure. What are the implications of these critiques for both Jewish and Christian biblical studies?
2. How do differing perspectives (e.g., rabbinic, modern, or ancient) shape our understanding of biblical texts?

Rediscovering Ancient Methods

1. The author emphasizes the importance of the shapes and strokes of Hebrew letters in interpreting meaning. How does this approach differ from focusing on roots or vowels?
2. What are the potential advantages and challenges of “reverse-engineering” a language like Hebrew to rediscover lost methods?

Insights and Breakthroughs

1. The author describes patterns and connections they discovered while studying Hebrew letters and their meanings. How might these discoveries influence the way we read and interpret the Bible?
2. In the first verse of Genesis, the author experienced a “big breakthrough.” Why might this be a pivotal point in their journey?

Collaboration and Further Study

1. The author invites thoughts and ideas from others. What questions or suggestions would you offer them as they continue their research?
2. How can collaboration and sharing ideas enrich the study of ancient languages and biblical interpretation?

Broader Implications

1. The author views Hebrew as a “3D crossword puzzle” with layers of meaning. How does this metaphor resonate with your understanding of ancient languages or biblical texts?
2. How might this approach to studying Hebrew impact modern theology or our personal understanding of scripture?