Language Learning

“Reading the Bible in translation is like kissing your bride through a veil.” — Rabbi Haim Nachman Bialik

Learning the original languages of scripture — Biblical Hebrew and Koine Greek — opens a deeper dimension of understanding that no translation can fully convey. Even a basic familiarity with the alphabet and key vocabulary can transform your study. Joseph Smith himself emphasized the importance of studying the scriptures in their original tongues, recognizing that translation inevitably involves interpretation.

Interactive Charts

Biblical Hebrew

Study Tools

• STEP Bible (KJV + Leningrad Codex) — Free, powerful interlinear Bible with Strong’s numbers, original language parsing, and cross-references. This link opens with the KJV and Leningrad Codex (pointed Hebrew) side by side.

• Blue Letter Bible — Excellent study tool with Strong’s Concordance, interlinear views, commentaries, and word study resources. Great for tracing a word through every occurrence in scripture.

• Pealim (Pa’alim) — Comprehensive Hebrew verb conjugation tables. Essential for understanding the binyanim (verb patterns) and how Hebrew verbs work.

• 2-Letter Lookup — A lexicon for Biblical Hebrew organized by two-letter roots. Look up any two-letter combination to find related words.

• Mechon Mamre — Complete Hebrew Bible in pointed Hebrew with parallel English (JPS 1917). The gold standard for reading the Tanakh in its original language.

Courses & Learning

• Hebrew University — Biblical Hebrew (edX) — Free online courses from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
• Daily Dose of Hebrew — Short daily lessons focused on Biblical Hebrew vocabulary
• Aleph with Beth — YouTube series teaching Biblical Hebrew through immersive, visual methods

Koine Greek

The language of the New Testament and the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament that New Testament authors quoted).

• Greek for All — Our favorite resource for Koine Greek. Their Quest Video Course (~$200) is well worth the investment. Free videos on YouTube.

• Logion — Biblical Greek word study resource focused on the Logos and key New Testament Greek terms.

• Daily Dose of Greek — Short daily lessons in the Greek New Testament

• Pronunciation Resources:

  • Erasmian Pronunciation — The system typically used for Biblical Greek
  • Modern Greek Pronunciation — How Greek is spoken today, useful for comparison

Other Ancient Languages

• Omniglot — Encyclopedia of writing systems and languages, covering 1,760+ languages

Local Resources

Local faith communities often offer wonderful immersive learning opportunities:

• Congregation Kol Ami — Salt Lake City synagogue that periodically offers Hebrew classes
• St. Sophia Hellenic Orthodox Cathedral — Greek school in Salt Lake City offering Modern Greek instruction

Check with Greek Orthodox parishes and Jewish synagogues in your area for similar offerings.