Rosamund is a Jewish Christian and this is her second book. It is designed for those who want to begin to learn Hebrew but without engaging in a full course or formal training in the language. Although it might inspire some to pursue learning Hebrew more, this book has a simpler aim of providing some first steps and it does so in a very interesting manner, namely via the pages of the New Testament.

Twelve lessons

The book is divided into twelve lessons, each with its own clear table or chart of words for easy reference. These words are mainly nouns, thus avoiding complicated verb structures and other grammatical details.

As we might expect, we start with three lessons on the letters and their significance, plus a short guide on how to read Hebrew. Lesson 4 focuses on the names for God in the New Testament. The next two lessons are based upon the name Jesus Christ and titles for him.

Lessons 7 and 8 cover the Holy Spirit and the cross. The remaining lessons consider personal names and place-names found in the New Testament, as well as actual Hebrew and Aramaic words and certain Old Testament verses contained in the New, especially Matthew and the letter to the Hebrews.

The book ends with a couple of pages on further resources.

Aid to understanding the Scriptures

As well as providing some basics in the Hebrew language, this short and very accessible book will also deepen an understanding of the Hebraic background of the New Testament, which the author believes contains a treasure of Hebrew thoughts and truths, sometimes lying just below the surface of our normal English text.

Overall this is a useful companion to reading the New Testament using the Hebrew language as our main guide.

‘Hebrew Lessons for Beginners from the New Testament’ (128 pp) is published by Fresh Olive Press, and is available from Amazon for £10 (plus p&p).