Biblical Hebrew I: First Steps

Pinchas Shir, Associate Professor of Ancient Cultures

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Course info
Materials
Audio lessons
Reviews

Course Info

This foundational self-paced course focuses on the first steps of reading Biblical Hebrew. It is designed especially for beginners. This course of study prepares you to be able to read any passage in the Hebrew Bible on your own.  Naturally, translating and understanding what you read requires further study, mastery of vocabulary and grammar, but these training sessions are first crucial steps that you must take as you learn to read Biblical Hebrew.

If you apply yourself and follow the course instructions you will learn how to read Biblical Hebrew in no time. This simple skill will put you on the path of reading the Bible on an entirely different level. If being able to delve into the depth of God's words is one of the greatest joys of your life enroll now and learn how to read the Hebrew Bible for yourself. Delay no longer!

About Author

Pinchas Shir

Associate Professor of Ancient Cultures

Pinchas Shir, Israel Bible Center’s Associate Professor of Ancient Cultures, is nearing the completion of his Ph.D. studies in the Department of Religion at Groningen University in the Netherlands. His academic interests focus on ancient dining culture, culinary contexts of the Second Temple period, and particularly on the table interactions between Jews and Gentiles in antiquity. In addition, Pinchas is keenly interested in the archaeology of Ancient Israel and the Mediterranean.

Currently residing in North America, Assoc. Professor Shir lectures internationally and maintains a strong online presence where all can hear his teachings.

  • 13 Sessions With historical background and more
  • Earn your certificate in:
    • Jewish Context and Culture
    • Hebrew Bible
  • 13,693 Active Students From all over the world
  • 01:42 Hours Learn at your pace and convenience

Materials

  • Alphabet (Consonants)
  • Vowel Sounds
  • How to Write Block Hebrew
  • Complete Lecture Notes for this Course
  • Plain Text Notes for this Course
  • Have You Finished This Course? Take This Quiz

Audio lessons

  • 02. More About Letters 06:23
  • 03. Reading Confusing Letters 13:24
  • 04. Reading Simple Words 09:13
  • 05. Hebrew Vowels 14:55
  • 06. Reading the Shva 08:26
  • 07. Two Kinds of Dagesh 08:20
  • 08. Reading Short Words 03:36
  • 09. Reading in Syllables 03:57
  • 10. Reading Phrases and Sentences 05:24
  • 11. Reading God's Name 05:21
  • 12. Reading and Punctuation 07:03
  • 13. When AH Breaks the Rules 10:33

Student Reviews

5

Overall student rates

Overall rating based on 150 reviews
5 Stars 142
4 Stars 9
3 Stars 0
2 Stars 0
1 Star 0
150 Total
  • Avivah

    Posted 3 months ago
    printable handout - copies of the Aleph-Bet, Final letters with and without dagesh.
  • Ellen Cox

    Posted 3 months ago
    Can I watch this lesson over again. Please.
  • Tamara Trach

    Posted 3 months ago
    Excellent notes to print; easily followed; pace is slow enough to connect but quick enough one doesn't get bored; seeing and hearing each letter a couple times very helpful; clear vocalization
  • Juan Rodriguez

    Posted 3 months ago
    It’s a really good educational program. I love it.
  • Rabbi Moshe Bogert

    Posted 3 months ago
    read the sentences slower, and maybe 3 times to repeat it with him

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