You, yes even you, can learn to read biblical Hebrew &/or Greek

 

If you are interested in learning how to read biblical Greek and/or biblical Hebrew, I can help you do that. I'm looking for a few study partners who are willing to commit a couple of hours per week to meeting online in order to immerse themselves in specific texts from the bible. No previous knowledge of Greek or Hebrew is required. If fact, it will probably be better if you've never taken a course in a biblical language.

I have spent many years and countless hours studying these (and other) ancient languages in a very traditionally academic way. Officially, I have completed:

• 4 years of Classical and Koine Greek
• 3 years of Classical Latin
• 3 years of Biblical Hebrew
• 1 year of Biblical Aramaic
• 1 semester of Akkadian

I did this mostly while completing my B.A. in Classics and M.A. in Hebrew Bible and Ancient Judaism at the University of British Columbia. I am very familiar with the academic approach to teaching/learning these languages. And I am grateful for the opportunities I have had. But, unless you're pursuing an academic degree, I don't think it is the best way to teach or to learn biblical languages.

Instead, more people could learn more about these languages and even learn how to read key passages in Greek and/or Hebrew (and Aramaic, if you wish), if we took less of an academic, step-by-step approach and more an immersive approach. Rather than spending most of our time together talking about these languages in English, my plan is to jump into the so-called "deep end" right away with a small group of fellow learners.

• For those interested in Hebrew, in our very first session you'll learn to read this (Genesis 1:1):

 בְּרֵאשִׁ֖ית בָּרָ֣א אֱלֹהִ֑ים אֵ֥ת הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְאֵ֥ת הָאָֽרֶץ׃

• For those interested in Greek, in our very first session you'll learn to read this (John 1:1): 

Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ λόγος, καὶ ὁ λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν θεόν, καὶ θεὸς ἦν ὁ λόγος.

Yes, there has to be some "memorization" of vocabulary and grammar rules, but we will do so as we progress through each text and encounter new vocabulary and grammar in our readings. And the goal is not memorization per se, so much as it is familiarization, so that you'll not be learning by rote but learning by practice.

For me, there is nothing like reading these incredible texts in the languages in which they were originally written! And along the way we'll talk about how these texts were copied, transmitted and translated and what impact those processes had on the text itself and on our understanding of the texts.

Questions I'm sure you have:

1. What is the cost? We'll start with 4 meetings that I will offer "free of charge." For those interested in continuing after the first 4 sessions, we will together negotiate what we all agree is a reasonable fee.
2. When will we start? We'll work that out when a few people express their interest, but it is my hope to start meeting regularly by mid to late October.
3. Will there be homework between online sessions? Yes, there will be some, but mostly focused on you practicing reading the texts that we are reading together in the group and on familiarizing yourself with new vocabulary and grammar rules.
4. What do you have to lose? Nothing, that I can see.
5. What do you have to gain? So much, including the satisfaction and enjoyment of reading biblical Hebrew and/or Greek and an increased understanding of these amazing ancient texts.

If this sounds interesting to you, please contact me, brian.felushko@gmail.com, before October 1, and let's see what we can work out in terms of making either a biblical Hebrew and/or biblical Greek RDG (Reading and Discussion Group) happen.