The Biblical Languages

This past Monday, I began the second of the Biblical languages in my studies. For the next 12 weeks, I will be working on the Hebrew language and starting to learn the original language that almost all the Old Testament was written in. The next 12 weeks will only be the beginning though, as I continue much further, in classes ahead, as well as the rest of my life. When my best friend and I were talking on Monday and I was explaining to him what the next 12 grueling weeks entail, he asked why? Why study, why work hard, why do the mind-bending work to learn another language, a language that is not even spoke today and that is truly only helpful in the study of the Scriptures? My simple answer was beauty. To learn the languages is to see the beauty of God, to dive deep into the well of His majesty, to basic in the words of His glory. To truly know the languages is to know the heart of God better. When I can learn the language that God uses to speak His truth, it is like going upstream a little further to the source, getting a fresher, cleaner, more pure understanding of the source. Yes, we all can get water that brings life from the stream, but to go back closer to the source, is to find deeper refreshment.

B.B. Warfeild stated about the original languages, “No second hand knowledge of the revelation of God for the salvation of a ruined world can suffice the needs of a ministry whose function is to convey this revelation to men, commend it to their acceptance and apply it in detail to their needs--to all their needs, from the moment they are called into participation in the grace of God, until the moment when they stand perfect in God’s sight, built up by his Spirit into new men. For such a ministry as this the most complete knowledge of the wisdom of the world supplies no equipment; the most fervid enthusiasm of service leaves without furnishing. Nothing will suffice for it but to know; to know the book; to know it at first hand; and to know it through and through. And what is required first of all for training men for such a ministry is that the book should be given them in its very words [Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek] as it has come from God’s hand and in the fullness of its meaning, as that has been ascertained by the labors of generations of men of God who have brought to bear upon it all the resources of sanctified scholarship and consecrated thought.” 

Martin Luther added, “The languages are the sheath in which this sword of the Spirit is contained. Now there must always be such prophets in the Christian church who can dig into Scripture, expound it, and carry on disputations. A saintly life and right doctrine are not enough. Hence languages are absolutely and altogether necessary in the Christian church, as are the prophets or interpreters . . .” 

Thinking about my answer to my BFF, and both quotes listed above, I also came up with 5 important ways that knowing the original languages brings me more skill and equipment for ministry. As a shepherd for Jesus to His flock, I need all the tools I can get in my tool case, and one of them is knowing the original languages. Here are the 5 skills I will gain in knowing Hebrew and in growing in love for this language.

-Skillful use of the biblical languages will enable you to speak accurately about the GLORY of God. (Deuteronomy 18:20 Galatians 1:7)

-Since the pastoral epistles make a strong connection between doctrine and godlieness (1 Tim 6:3) Skillful use of the biblical languages contributes to you being a man of God who correctly handles the Word of God (2 Timothy 2:15).

-Skillful use of the biblical languages builds a stronger and healthier church (Eph. 4:11-12).

-Skillful use of the biblical languages fuels authoritative preaching.

-Skillful use of the biblical languages preserves the gospel.