Two Minutes a Day Biblical Language

Reading Bible passages in the original languages is a great way to enhance personal study and lesson preparation. But if you’re like me, and it’s been a while since you studied Greek or Hebrew, your vocabulary isn’t as sharp as it used to be. Or maybe you’re just beginning the adventure of learning the biblical languages, and you’d appreciate a vocabulary-building resource that’s a little flashier than flash cards. I’d like to introduce you to a new series designed specifically to help you build (or rebuild) your language skills: The Two Minutes a Day Biblical Language Series.

THE TWO MINUTES A DAY BIBLICAL LANGUAGE SERIES

The Two Minutes a Day Biblical Language Series offers five volumes, two for biblical Greek, two for biblical Hebrew, and even one for biblical Aramaic. Depending on your needs and interests, you can purchase a single volume, a two volume set (Greek or Hebrew), or the five-volume collection.

For Greek and Hebrew, the first volumes review the 365 most frequently occurring words; the second volumes have the next 365 most frequently occurring words. For Aramaic (found mostly in parts of Daniel and Ezra), there are 365 entries, but some days introduce more than one vocabulary word. If you finish the Aramaic volume, you will actually encounter every single Aramaic word used in the Bible.

SO, HOW DOES IT WORK?

Each daily entry introduces a new vocabulary word along with two review words from previous days.

First you see the English text of a Bible verse, with your new and review vocabulary words in parentheses right after the corresponding English word.

Next, the new vocabulary word is presented with its transliteration and meanings, the number of occurrences in the Bible, and its Strong’s word. If you want more details, you can tap on the Strong’s word to see a popup window with that word’s Strong’s dictionary definition.

The next line features the day’s two review words. You can tap on the day to go back and review that entry. Or if you need just a quick reminder, tap on the review word to see its Strong’s definition.

After the review words, the day’s Bible verse is shown in its original language, once in full and once broken out phrase by phrase, with the corresponding English translation. The new and review words are highlighted, so it’s easy to spot them.

Reading the verse, even if you don’t yet understand some (or most) of the words, helps you recognize other familiar words and phrases, and helps review what you know about syntax and word forms.

KEEP ON SCHEDULE WITH A READING PLAN

Each volume in the Two Minutes a Day Biblical Language Series can be used in the Olive Tree Bible App as a Reading Plan. That can help keep you on schedule, not only for your daily vocabulary lesson, but for the devotional value you will get from reading and meditating on the day’s Bible verse. Or, if you prefer, you can work at your own pace, starting at any time, and going back over previous lessons until you recognize and remember the words.

LEARN MORE

Check out the Two Minutes a Day Biblical Language Series here. Let us know what you think about this new resource in the comments!