Biblical Hebrew language

Also known as: Classical Hebrew language

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Last updated

June 22, 2026

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Biblical Hebrew is the language of the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Old Testament. It is a Semitic language closely related to Phoenician and Moabite.12

This form of Hebrew was spoken in ancient Palestine until about the 3rd century BCE, after which Aramaic became more common for daily use. However, Hebrew continued to be used as a liturgical and literary language.2

The history of Hebrew is divided into periods: Biblical Hebrew, Mishnaic Hebrew, Medieval Hebrew, and Modern Hebrew. Modern Hebrew was revived as a spoken language in the 19th and 20th centuries and is now the official language of Israel. Hebrew literature has been produced continuously since the early 12th century BCE.23

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Hebrew language
…divided into four major periods: Biblical, or Classical, Hebrew, until about the 3rd century bce, in which most of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) is written; Mishnaic, or Rabbinic, Hebrew, the language of the Mishna (a collection of Jewish traditions), written about 200 ce (this form of Hebrew was never…
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…divided into four major periods: Biblical, or Classical, Hebrew, until about the 3rd century bce, in which most of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) is written; Mishnaic, or Rabbinic, Hebrew, the language of the Mishna (a collection of Jewish traditions), written about 200 ce (this form of Hebrew was never…
Read More