A Critical Examination of the Origins of the Old Testament and the Hebrew Language

Author: Bishop Ray Taylor, PhD

Abstract

This paper explores the controversial thesis that the Old Testament was originally written in Greek and that the Hebrew language is a constructed language with no substantial historical or archaeological evidence of its existence. By examining linguistic studies, historical records, and archaeological findings, this research aims to shed light on the origins of the Old Testament and the Hebrew language. The analysis will include comparisons to Canaanite and Phoenician languages, and will challenge the traditional narratives surrounding the ancient Hebrews.

Introduction

The traditional view holds that the Old Testament was originally composed in Hebrew. However, recent scholarship suggests that Greek may have played a significant role in the early transmission of these texts. Additionally, some scholars argue that Hebrew, as a distinct language, may not have existed in the form traditionally believed. This paper will critically assess these claims by examining linguistic, historical, and archaeological evidence.

The Case for Greek Origins of the Old Testament

Historical Context and Hellenistic Influence

The Hellenistic period (323-31 BCE) saw the spread of Greek culture and language throughout the Near East. This era’s influence on Jewish culture and literature is significant. The Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, is one of the earliest and most important versions of the Old Testament, suggesting a strong Greek presence in its textual history.

Source: “The Bible in Greek: Translation, Reception, and Transmission” by R. Timothy McLay (2012).

Linguistic Evidence

Comparative linguistic studies show that certain Old Testament books exhibit Greek linguistic patterns and vocabulary. This suggests that these texts may have been composed or heavily influenced by Greek.

Source: “The Influence of Greek on Jewish Exegesis” by Lee I. Levine in “The Oxford Handbook of the Septuagint” (2021).

Manuscript Evidence

The oldest extant manuscripts of the Old Testament, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, contain texts in Greek, reinforcing the argument for Greek origins.

Source: “The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Developmental Composition of the Bible” by Eugene Ulrich (1999).

The Hebrew Language: A Constructed Myth?

Linguistic Analysis

Hebrew shares significant similarities with Canaanite and Phoenician languages, leading some scholars to argue that it is a derivative or dialect of these languages rather than an independent language.

Source: “Phoenician and Punic: Progress in the Study of the Languages and Texts” by Charles R. Krahmalkov (2001).

Archaeological Evidence

Despite extensive archaeological efforts, there is a notable absence of artifacts or inscriptions that definitively identify a distinct Hebrew people or language prior to the first millennium BCE. Most inscriptions labeled as “Hebrew” are remarkably similar to Canaanite scripts.

Source: “The Invention of Hebrew” by Seth L. Sanders (2009).

Historiographical Critique

Historical records from neighboring civilizations, such as Egypt and Mesopotamia, make no clear reference to a distinct Hebrew people or language. This absence raises questions about the traditional narrative of Hebrew history.

Source: “The Bible Unearthed: Archaeology’s New Vision of Ancient Israel and the Origin of Its Sacred Texts” by Israel Finkelstein and Neil Asher Silberman (2001).

Comparative Analysis: Hebrew as Bastardized Canaanite-Phoenician

Linguistic Roots

Hebrew’s phonology, morphology, and syntax closely mirror those of Canaanite and Phoenician languages, suggesting a common linguistic heritage.

Source: “A Grammar of Phoenician and Punic” by Charles R. Krahmalkov (2001).

Script Development

The Paleo-Hebrew script is virtually identical to the Phoenician script, further supporting the theory that Hebrew evolved from Canaanite-Phoenician roots.

Source: “The Early Alphabet” by John F. Healey (1990).

Conclusion

This paper has examined the controversial thesis that the Old Testament was originally written in Greek and that Hebrew is a constructed language, heavily influenced by Canaanite and Phoenician languages. The evidence presented challenges traditional narratives and suggests a more complex linguistic and historical development of the Old Testament and the Hebrew language. Further research and open scholarly debate are necessary to deepen our understanding of these ancient texts and their origins.

References

McLay, R. Timothy. “The Bible in Greek: Translation, Reception, and Transmission.” Society of Biblical Literature, 2012.
Levine, Lee I. “The Influence of Greek on Jewish Exegesis.” In “The Oxford Handbook of the Septuagint,” edited by Alison Salvesen and Timothy M. Law, Oxford University Press, 2021.
Ulrich, Eugene. “The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Developmental Composition of the Bible.” Brill, 1999.
Krahmalkov, Charles R. “Phoenician and Punic: Progress in the Study of the Languages and Texts.” In “The Semitic Languages,” edited by Robert Hetzron, Routledge, 2001.
Sanders, Seth L. “The Invention of Hebrew.” University of Illinois Press, 2009.
Finkelstein, Israel, and Neil Asher Silberman. “The Bible Unearthed: Archaeology’s New Vision of Ancient Israel and the Origin of Its Sacred Texts.” Free Press, 2001.
Krahmalkov, Charles R. “A Grammar of Phoenician and Punic.” Brill, 2001.
Healey, John F. “The Early Alphabet.” University of California Press, 1990.