Biblical Languages

Hebrew

• Semitic language
• Learned in Canaan
• 22 letters in alphabet
• numbers the same as letters
• Nouns: 2 cases (absolute and construct)
• Verbs: 2 tenses: (both used of any time) perfective (completed action) imperfective (incomplete action)
• 7 binyans

Aramaic

• Semitic language
• Learned in Babylonian captivity
• Parts of Daniel and Ezra written in Aramaic
• Same alphabet as Hebrew

Greek

• Indo-European language
• Spread across ancient world by conquests of Alexander the Great
• Koine (common) Greek was trade language
• 24 letters in alphabet
• alpha first, omega last letters (plus 3) used as numbers
• Nouns, Pronouns, and Adjectives:
  • 5 cases:
    • nominative (subject, predicate nominative)
    • genitive (possession, other relationships)
    • dative (indirect object, location, instrument)
    • accusative (direct object, subject of infinitive)
    • vocative (direct address)
  • 3 genders:
    • masculine
    • feminine
    • neuter
  • 2 numbers:
    • singular
    • plural
• Verbs:
  
  • 7 tenses (aspect and time):
    

    Tenses of the
    Indicative Mode

    Time:	Past	Unmarked	Future	Sign
    Aspect: Unmarked	Aorist             Future   Imperfect         Present           Pluperfect         Perfect       Future Perfect			s / q
    Continuous
    Completed				Reduplication
    Sign	e (Augment)		s

  • 3 voices: Active, Middle (reflexive), Passive

  • 4 moods/modes: Indicative (unmarked), Subjunctive (hypothetical), Imperative (commands/requests), Optative (potential)