Here are some tips for remembering vocabulary in Biblical Hebrew:
- Use flashcards: Write down new vocabulary on flashcards, including the Hebrew word, transliteration, and English translation. Review them regularly to help commit them to memory.
- Practice reading in context: Reading Biblical Hebrew in context can help you remember new vocabulary. Try reading passages from the Hebrew Bible and use a dictionary or online resource to look up unfamiliar words. (Daily Dose of Hebrew is an excellent resource for daily short readings of biblical Hebrew.)
- Study word roots: Many Hebrew words are based on three-letter roots. Studying the roots can help you recognize and remember related words. For example, the root כת״ב (k-t-v) means “to write,” and words like כְּתָבָה (kəṯāḇâ, “writing”) and כָּתוּב (ka̱ṯûḇ, “written”) are derived from it.
- Use mnemonic devices: Create mnemonic devices, such as rhymes or acronyms, to help you remember new words. For example, to remember the Hebrew word for “light” (אוֹר, or “or”), you could make up a sentence like “An or is what you need to see more.”
- Listen to native speakers: Listening to native speakers can help you learn the correct pronunciation and intonation of Hebrew words. You can find audio resources online or use language learning apps like Duolingo.
- Practice with a partner: Practicing with a partner can help you remember vocabulary in context. Try having conversations in Hebrew and using new words in context.
- Review regularly: Consistent review is key when it comes to remembering Hebrew vocabulary. Set aside time each day to review new words and practice using them in context.
- Use a lexicon: A lexicon or dictionary can help you learn new vocabulary and understand how words are used in context. Try using a lexicon to look up new words as you encounter them in your reading and study.
Do you have any ideas that you would add to these ones? What do you do to memorize and retain new vocabulary words and to expand what you know?