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kadrak

Biblical Hebrew is a strong, basic component of modern Hebrew, which as a "re-born" spoken language grew out of the continuous use and study of written Hebrew from it's inception. (You can read this online book for the history of Hebrew: http://www.adath-shalom.ca/rabin_he.htm (1973). One of the consequences of adapting the religious written language (Bible, Mishna, Talmud, and other early writings) as an modern living language is the incorporation of new modern words and infiltration of words, idioms and slang from other languages by the populace. Some words remain in their original form - telephone, some change only in pronunciation - radio, but others are totally integrated into the grammatical structure of Hebrew - leformat. The Academy of Hebrew Langage continually constructs and assigns Hebrew words for things/ concepts that didn't exist 3000 years ago, as in, CD - taklitor. From the 3 letter root of this same word we also get the words for record (v)-lahaklit, absorb-kalet, input (IT)- kelet, cassette-kaletet, as well as others. This list is meant to give you an idea of how the Academy constructs words for today using ancient Hebrew roots with similar meaning wherever possible. Of course, many people continue to use the term "CD", however, the Hebrew word is also widely used. So, yes, the intent is to preserve Hebrew as an unadulterated, living, language based on the ancient Hebrew. Success is apparent every year during Hebrew book week when record numbers of books are sold. Books are published on any subject imaginable. Both local and international best sellers appear in Hebrew, often nearly concurrently with the original publication. Israelis work, play, study, and use idioms straight from biblical texts in addition to slang and modern expressions. *By the way, I disagree that references of the first century texts to Hebrew always 'meant' Aramaic. That is one of the "problems with translation" that was perpetuated through many versions. Pages 40 and 41 of the above ebook on the timing of the change of Hebrew to Mishnaic Hebrew to Aramaic will be of great interest to you. The research has obviously continued from the date of this publication and modifies it slightly. It seems that while the Land of Israel has always been and continues to be a place where many languages can be heard, the national language of the Jewish people in history and today is Hebrew.

Robin Calamaio

We may be talking past each other some. Anytime someone undertakes the effort of a Bible translation, the translators have goals in mind. The primary one is that they feel a new translation is needed in order communicate the Scriptures to their audience. The LXX was directed from Jews toward Jews. Maybe there were some purists in the ceremony areas, but by the time Jesus was here what was called Hebrew was more often than not actually Aramaic. Anyway, I do hope some of the recent scholarship you have referenced will continue to assist in proper understandings of the Hebrew texts. I did take 1 year of Hebrew and I only remember vaguely some of the specific "concerns" - it seemed like questions on Hebrew numerology and maybe some of couplets (comparisons - Proverbs?) and maybe some of the rarely used words and idioms. But I do have one question- is the "re-born Hebrew" you reference an attempt to bring back the Biblical Hebrew for everyday use in Israel? That would be interesting.

kadrak

The worst effect of the LXX was actually that the translation was not correct in crucial places: Rabbis of that time in Jerusalem mourned the 'desecration' of the original texts. There is a strong theory that the liberal tendencies of the Greek-speaking Jews led to some of the creative interpretation. I would tend to disagree with the assumption that the Hebrew language was antiquated or not clearly understood, as it had been in continuous use publicly as well as for religious ceremonies over centuries upon centuries. While in Babylon, sages continued to study and write texts based on the Hebrew Scriptures, as evidenced by the Talmud. Then as now, of course, the method of study for Jewish scholars is to argue various interpretations and shades of meaning. However, the original text is never in doubt. Further damage to the transmission of the text in other languages has come from using translations and inconsistent copies instead of using available original texts. All that said, however, as a bi-lingual student of the Bible, I can tell you that it is extremely difficult to translate the text accurately today into modern concepts and contexts. We too have to go back to the writings of the early sages to make sure that OUR understanding of the Hebrew has not been influenced by today's VERY modern re-born Hebrew! Those who are immersed in the Talmud and the writings of the sages in both Hebrew and Aramaic are less prone to this kind of error. It's nice to have an opportunity to discuss this with you.

Robin Calamaio

Good Comment, Kadrak. The quality of the copies of the original Hebrew texts I don't think have ever been in too much question. The Hebrew copyists have been noted for meticulousness in this matter. But my understanding is that one of the driving forces behind the 150 year (or so) translation of the LXX (by several authors/groups of varying translation skills) was because much of that ancient Biblical Hebrew was not the Hebrew of those days - a natural evolution of a language. By translating into current Greek, it gave some flavor of the meaning of some of those old words/ phrases and maybe even idioms, etc. I am confident much of the old Hebrew would have been no problem (maybe names, etc) but directed at the more subtle materials. Anyway - great post.

kadrak

If you will search out the studies of the last 50 years or so at Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Bar Ilan University of Tel Aviv, you will be surprised what you will learn about the preservation of the original Hebrew Texts of the Tenach (Torah, Prophets, and Writings). While Aramaic was popular in Israel after the Babylonian exile, it most certainly didn't make Hebrew extinct. Daily life and business continued to be conducted in Israel in Hebrew as well as Aramaic. You have just touched the surface! How interesting it is!

Robin Calamaio

That is correct - and you did ... mention it, that is.

damchilbert

I think it would be important to mention here that one must also consider the colloquialisms and history of the time period to really understand the importance of the scriptures there-in. It helps in the understanding of why certain events, practices, and other things were taboo or of great importance.

Anitamo

I liked the comparation between the languages annd the difficuty of translating the bible and why probably their is so much different understanding for one scripture.