What is the secret message ancient languages communicate with us about the nature of life and God? I recently conducted an interview with a gentleman by the name of Brad Scott who explores the deeper meanings behind the Hebrew language. I learned Hebrew in its most ancient form is picto-graphic; meaning each letter is a picture of something in nature. Together these pictures convey a story, and form the meaning behind words.
Here is a table demonstrating some of the meanings behind the ancient Hebrew alphabet.
The ancient Semitic cultures which developed this language had a very action based mindset. Everything in their language could be pointed back to a process in nature (Agriculture) a process regarding life and family (Biology) or a process in language/communication (Linguistics) together these concepts allowed simple shepherds or farmers to convey a type of unadulterated truth to each other.
A Hebrew word to demonstrate this, is the word "Torah" which in many of our English bibles is translated as the word "Law". This is close, but it could also be understood as the word "Instruction". The root of the word "Torah" is Yarah which describes the process of Watering, or Shooting something like an arrow. This is fascinating because when we think of instruction, you can imagine a teacher metaphorically "Watering" their students so they can grow in knowledge similar to a how a plant would grow after being regularly watered.
It also means the process of shooting an arrow. When instruction is given to someone they have a target to reach, and the outcome, depending on how well they follow the instruction, will result in either hitting the bulls-eye, or flying into the bushes.
This language creates a very action based mindset, which is in contrast to our very Greek/Western mindset today. Greek "form" based thinking is an endless circular thinking pattern that keeps us pondering, without ever revealing the action or literal meaning behind a word. "Forms" are concepts without any concrete relation to nature, biology, or action.
For example if I where to ask you what does "Love" mean? You would tell me it is an emotion. Well, what is an emotion? Its a feeling you would say. What is a feeling?... No mater how many form based adjectives you respond with, no further information about what love is, or how it can be practiced is conveyed within the single adjective. No meaning is contained within the words themselves.
However, in Hebrew the word equivalent to love: "Ahava" depicts the process of "Giving". The picto-graphic letters demonstrate this process, and instead of going in philosophical circles, we now have a better understanding of how and what love truly is.
If you are interested in this topic please check out the interview with Brad below:
Shalom.
Jake