Hebrew - Dictionary Entry
Hebrew
Part of Speech
Adjective, Noun
Pronunciation
/ˈhiːbruː/
Definitions
- A Semitic language historically spoken by the Jewish people, and the language of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament).
- Relating to the culture, traditions, and history of the Jewish people.
- The alphabet used in writing the Hebrew language.
Usage Examples
- She is learning to read and write in Hebrew as part of her studies.
- The Hebrew Bible is central to the Jewish faith.
- His speech had a Hebrew accent, reflecting his Jewish heritage.
Etymology
The word "Hebrew" comes from the Latin "Hebraeus" and Greek "Hebraios," derived from the Hebrew word "Ivri," meaning "one from beyond," possibly referring to the migration of the ancient Hebrews from Mesopotamia to the land of Canaan.
Synonyms
Jewish, Israelite, Ivri
Antonyms
Non-Jewish, Gentile
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|
| Spanish | Hebreo | [eˈbɾe.o] |
| French | Hébreu | [ebʁø] |
| German | Hebräisch | [ˈheːbʁaɪ̯ʃ] |
| Italian | Ebraico | [eˈbraːiko] |
| Portuguese | Hebraico | [eˈbɾaiku] |
| Russian | Иврит | [ivˈrit] |
| Arabic | العبرية | [al-‘ibrīyah] |
| Chinese | 希伯来语 | [Xībólái yǔ] |
| Japanese | ヘブライ語 | [Heburai-go] |
| Korean | 히브리어 | [hibŭri-eo] |
| Hindi | हिब्रू | [hibrū] |
| Bengali | হিব্রু | [hibru] |
| Tamil | ஹீபிரூ | [hīprū] |
| Telugu | హీబ్రూ | [hībrū] |
| Kannada | ಹೀಬ್ರೂ | [hībrū] |
| Malayalam | ഹീബ്രു | [hībru] |
| Marathi | हिब्रू | [hibrū] |
| Gujarati | હિબ્રૂ | [hibrū] |
| Punjabi | ਹਿਬਰੂ | [hibrū] |
| Odia | ହିବ୍ରୁ | [hibru] |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- US: /ˈhiːbruː/
- UK: /ˈhɛbruː/
- Israel: /ivˈʁi/ (Hebrew as spoken in Israel)
Historical Usage
The Hebrew language dates back thousands of years and is considered one of the oldest Semitic languages. It was originally spoken by the ancient Israelites and Jews. Over time, Hebrew ceased to be a spoken language and became a liturgical language, used in religious texts, including the Hebrew Bible. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Hebrew was revived as a spoken language by Zionist leaders and is now the official language of Israel.
Cultural Nuances
Hebrew holds immense cultural significance, particularly for Jewish people, as it is not only the language of their sacred texts but also a symbol of their identity and heritage. The revival of Hebrew in the 20th century marked a cultural renaissance, intertwining the language with modern Israeli culture and politics. Today, it is used in all aspects of daily life in Israel, including education, media, and government.
More Information
Hebrew is a member of the Northwest Semitic group of languages, which also includes Phoenician, Aramaic, and Ugaritic. The language has been in continuous use for over 3,000 years, making it one of the oldest surviving languages. Its alphabet is also widely used for writing other languages, including Yiddish and Ladino, and it has influenced many other languages across the world due to its religious and historical significance.
The modern form of Hebrew, known as Modern Hebrew, was revived by Eliezer Ben-Yehuda in the late 19th century. It serves as the lingua franca of the Jewish people and as a unifying language for all ethnic groups in Israel. Today, Hebrew continues to evolve, influenced by global languages and cultures while preserving its rich historical roots.