Whitney Houston sang one of the greatest covers of all time with “I Will Always Love You.” The original songwriter, however, was Dolly Parton who wrote the song to a specific person, for a specific reason, at a specific time in her career. Only Dolly can tell that story. Likewise, English translations of the Bible are simply “cover songs” of an original version. Though the English translations are extremely reliable, only the original biblical languages tell the whole story. In whatever way you can, be sure to tune in and listen.
Approaching biblical languages is a one-step-at-a-time venture. Like with any hard skill or task, breaking into smaller parts what appears big and scary makes the process less daunting and more doable. To break down biblical languages, I refer to the ever-trusty “5 Ws” guideline. Consider with me the following who, what, why, where, and when of this exciting (and obtainable!) aspect of studying the Bible.
Who can learn biblical languages?
Studying biblical languages requires a minimum IQ of 130 and a record of lifelong church attendance. Kidding! If these stats were the case, I would have never learned the biblical languages. I began regularly attending church as a teenager. Though I was well-discipled, I was still green for some time on certain aspects of Christianity and the Bible. One such aspect was understanding that the Bible was originally written in languages other than English. I had heard my pastor and other Bible teachers mention Greek and Hebrew from time to time, but I hadn’t made the connection as to why these languages were referenced.
Want to know when and where this realization dawned? My first year of seminary, in a Greek class no less! I recommend at least knowing the Bible was written in Hebrew and Greek before taking these language classes. That, my friends, was a steep climb. Yet, by God’s leading and His grace, I went on to obtain an MDiv in biblical languages and recently defended my PhD dissertation of over three hundred pages on one rare Greek word that appears in 1 Timothy 2:9. So, who can learn biblical languages? Anyone who is willing.
What are the languages?
In biblical studies, Hebrew and Greek are termed “biblical languages” because by these languages God preserved the Scriptures and ultimately the gospel message. These are the languages that inform our English translations. The Old Testament books were originally written in Hebrew.
Like other Middle Eastern languages such as Arabic and Farsi, Hebrew script is written and read from right to left. This notion likely reflects an initial practice of stone inscription across surfaces such as tablets and walls prior to the advent of parchment and papyrus. For right-handers, chiseling stone directionally right to left is the equivalent of writing with ink from left to right, all to prevent smearing. Sorry, left-handers, you deserve better.
Originally, only consonants were used in Hebrew. Then, between 600–1000 BC, “vowel points” were supplied as something called the Masoretic Text was developed. A more primitive language—less vocabulary was available for use in Hebrew. Some Hebrew words, then, do “double duty” with the meaning dependent on what or to whom a word applies. Roughly 269 Old Testament verses also contain Aramaic, a later Semitic language closely related to Hebrew that became the official language for all ancient Near Eastern peoples by the sixth century BCE.
Following the sweeping conquests of Alexander the Great (c. 336–323 BC), however, Greek replaced Aramaic as the official language throughout the ancient Near East. The Greek of the Hellenistic world was called koine, or “common,” as this was the language of the everyday people.
Jewish culture, and later Christianity, were profoundly impacted by Hellenism. Jewish scholars around the third century BCE produced a Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament known as the Septuagint. Later in the first century CE, both the writings of the New Testament and the Apostolic Fathers were also scripted in koine Greek. How amazing that God chose this universally spoken language to preserve His word! Greek is “formulaic,” allowing for words to be combined to formulate an exact sentiment. Greek is at once a sort of “puzzle” to solve and an exercise in observing and enjoying the picture the puzzle portrays.
Why study Greek and Hebrew?
It’s tax season. Figuring numbers and itemizing deductions is a confusing drag, so we often rely on the services of CPAs and tax lawyers for filing, and rightly so. Yet even with the invaluable experience tax professionals provide, it is still important to understand taxes for ourselves. Some brave souls even utilize tax software to do their own filing! Similarly, biblical scholars work hard to provide the most reliable translations possible. However, knowing or having some familiarity with the biblical languages equips Bible readers to better discern and make interpretive decisions for themselves. Remember, all translations are interpretations of one language into another. Awareness of the biblical languages is a useful tool for a more accurate evaluation of biblical texts and our English translations.
Where to access the languages?
We live in an unprecedented era of learning options and availability, including for the biblical languages. For formal training, seminaries offer courses in various formats, with degrees ranging from certificate level on up. I hold theological degrees from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Gateway Seminary and recommend these, or any of the other four Southern Baptist seminaries, as great schools to consider.
Less formally, entities such as the Biblical Languages Center (https://www.biblicallanguagecenter.com/) and BibleMesh Institute (https://biblemesh.com/) provide cost-efficient, excellent language training both for lay leaders and/or those who have attended or may want to attend seminary. Another great option, especially for creative and on-the-go learning, is Biblingo (https://biblingo.org/).
Digital resources such as Logos, Accordance, Bible Hub, and Blue Letter Bible also provide direct access to the Hebrew and Greek that enhances reading and understanding of the Scriptures. Every Bible reader, and certainly every Bible teacher, can and should know more about the biblical languages.
When to use the languages in teaching?
Once learned, the Hebrew or Greek should be referenced only when its explanation gives greater clarity and insight to the message than the English can provide. For instance, with at least five Greek words that mean “fear,” it matters to know that in 2 Timothy 1:7, Paul used a less common word, deilos, to communicate that “God has not given us a spirit of fear…” (emphasis added). The term refers to a disorienting kind of fear, cowardice even over perceived loss or danger that may or may not be real. God has not given us a delirious spirit! Clarity, depth, and growth in discipleship—these are what the languages should be used to promote, never our own egos.

Courtney Veasey serves as an itinerant Bible teacher, frequently speaking to groups of women and teenage girls in conference and retreat events. Courtney serves as a leadership trainer to women in ministry through Lifeway Christian Resources and as a partner artist with Prison Fellowship Hope Events. She has served in local church and parachurch ministries in Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina, and California. Courtney formally served as both the Director of Women’s Academic Programs and a member of the faculty at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. She is a graduate of Florida Southern College (BA), New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (MDiv; PhD (May 2023), and Gateway Seminary (ThM). Courtney enjoys bringing the party and making friends wherever she goes.