Hebrew: The Language of God’s People
In this article we will consider why Hebrew is the language of God’s people and analyze it from three aspects.
As we saw in Isaiah, Hebrew was such an important feature of America returning to God that he wrote of it in the 19th chapter - “In that day there will be five Hebrew-speaking cities in the mist of Egypt (America).” We also see Hebrew as a foundational aspect of the restoration of the State of Israel and of the Jewish people.
Here, we will consider Hebrew as the language of God’s people as it relates to -
As we saw in Isaiah, Hebrew was such an important feature of America returning to God that he wrote of it in the 19th chapter - “In that day there will be five Hebrew-speaking cities in the mist of Egypt (America).” We also see Hebrew as a foundational aspect of the restoration of the State of Israel and of the Jewish people.
Here, we will consider Hebrew as the language of God’s people as it relates to -
Hebrew is a Unifying Aspect of God’s People.
Hebrew as God’s Holy Tongue.
Hebrew as the Language of Freedom and Liberty.
Hebrew as God’s Holy Tongue.
Hebrew as the Language of Freedom and Liberty.
Hebrew is a Unifying Aspect of God’s People.
Probably more than any other facet of human society, language unites a people. As an example of the power of language to unite a nation, the government of Indonesia saw language as a primary factor. Indonesian is a nation with over 250 million people spread over 13,000 islands speaking an estimated 600 languages. Indonesians realized that a national language would give them a sense of national identity, facilitate the process of building a new nation (post Dutch occupation) and would serve as the national language for education, literacy, modernization and social mobility.
Likewise, Hebrew is a primary resource for building the identity of God’s people and facilitates a common basis for education, literacy and social mobility among God’s people, and for building a united kingdom under God. Echoing this concept of unity and identity, and applying it to America, Theodore Roosevelt said:
''We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language, for we intend to see that the crucible turns our people out as Americans of American nationality and not as dwellers in a polyglot boardinghouse.''
Similarly, Hebrew is the crucible to turn people out as God’s people for a nation under God. Hebrew becomes a foundational element for a people under and with God. Indeed, Hebrew will be an Endtime unifying aspect of God’s people that provides a sense of identity and facilitates the building of God’s millennial kingdom.
Hebrew as God’s Holy Tongue
Some Hebraists have suggested that Hebrew was the language that God gave to Adam and indeed there may be remnant elements in Hebrew of an Edenic language. But by and large, the pure language that God gave to Adam appears to have been lost in antiquity. Nevertheless, the scriptures predict that God’s pure language is to be restored at some future time – Zeph 3:9. However, until that time, God has sanctioned Hebrew as His holy tongue, and it is Hebrew we should know. Let’s consider a few salient points that support the notion that Hebrew is God’s holy language:
1. The original language of the Bible was given to humanity in Hebrew and is still available.
2. Prophecy indicates an Endtime revival of the Hebrew language – Isaiah 19:18. Hebrew is a part of humanity turning back to God.
3. Hebrew is still considered the primary source for interpreting of His Word.
4. Because Hebrew is an ancient language, we might expect that remnants of God’s pure tongue can be found in Hebrew more so than any living language; and therefore, Hebrew is a precursor for a restoration of God’s pure language.
Hebrew is the Language of Freedom and Liberty
Colonial Americans had such a strong connection with the Bible that many suggested Hebrew be adopted as the national language. Though Hebrew was not adopted in America, Hebrew was an important facet of an early American classical education. Many founding universities offered Latin, Greek and Hebrew as essential courses. In fact, the Hebrew names for God are on the university seals of Dartmonth and Columbia.
Probably more than any other facet of human society, language unites a people. As an example of the power of language to unite a nation, the government of Indonesia saw language as a primary factor. Indonesian is a nation with over 250 million people spread over 13,000 islands speaking an estimated 600 languages. Indonesians realized that a national language would give them a sense of national identity, facilitate the process of building a new nation (post Dutch occupation) and would serve as the national language for education, literacy, modernization and social mobility.
Likewise, Hebrew is a primary resource for building the identity of God’s people and facilitates a common basis for education, literacy and social mobility among God’s people, and for building a united kingdom under God. Echoing this concept of unity and identity, and applying it to America, Theodore Roosevelt said:
''We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language, for we intend to see that the crucible turns our people out as Americans of American nationality and not as dwellers in a polyglot boardinghouse.''
Similarly, Hebrew is the crucible to turn people out as God’s people for a nation under God. Hebrew becomes a foundational element for a people under and with God. Indeed, Hebrew will be an Endtime unifying aspect of God’s people that provides a sense of identity and facilitates the building of God’s millennial kingdom.
Hebrew as God’s Holy Tongue
Some Hebraists have suggested that Hebrew was the language that God gave to Adam and indeed there may be remnant elements in Hebrew of an Edenic language. But by and large, the pure language that God gave to Adam appears to have been lost in antiquity. Nevertheless, the scriptures predict that God’s pure language is to be restored at some future time – Zeph 3:9. However, until that time, God has sanctioned Hebrew as His holy tongue, and it is Hebrew we should know. Let’s consider a few salient points that support the notion that Hebrew is God’s holy language:
1. The original language of the Bible was given to humanity in Hebrew and is still available.
2. Prophecy indicates an Endtime revival of the Hebrew language – Isaiah 19:18. Hebrew is a part of humanity turning back to God.
3. Hebrew is still considered the primary source for interpreting of His Word.
4. Because Hebrew is an ancient language, we might expect that remnants of God’s pure tongue can be found in Hebrew more so than any living language; and therefore, Hebrew is a precursor for a restoration of God’s pure language.
Hebrew is the Language of Freedom and Liberty
Colonial Americans had such a strong connection with the Bible that many suggested Hebrew be adopted as the national language. Though Hebrew was not adopted in America, Hebrew was an important facet of an early American classical education. Many founding universities offered Latin, Greek and Hebrew as essential courses. In fact, the Hebrew names for God are on the university seals of Dartmonth and Columbia.
Moreover, commenting on the role that Hebrew played in colonial America, Oliver DeMille, founder of the Thomas Jefferson Education Model said,
“The colonial Ivy League schools were founded on Hebrew, because The Law, or Torah, is the basis of free government, economy, politics, law and in short liberty. As the generation of the American Founding Fathers understood it, liberty flows from the principles of the Bible—so a nation of freedom will be rooted in the legal, political, economic and governmental principles taught in it. Which helps explain the early Founding American generation penchant for the Hebrew language.”