On today’s program, Episode 184, this is Part 1 of a dialogue I had with Andre Roosma of the Netherlands, discussing the written language of Abraham, Moses, and David, often referred to as Paleo-Hebrew. We will discuss the pictographic roots and basic notions that underlie the earliest biblical script. Paleo-Hebrew developed from a script used in the West Semitic area, spanning from modern Syria to Egypt and the Sinai Desert, during the second millennium BCE. It is commonly referred to as Proto-Canaanite or Proto-Sinaitic. This script later developed into what we know as the block letters of the Hebrew used during the Babylonian Exile and beyond to our present day.

Our program will begin with Andre’s understanding of how he pronounces the Name (YHWH, YHVH, or YAHWEH) and why. We will then have a close look at the Hebrew language pictographic letters Aleph – ? – to Dalet – ?, their images and meanings, and how they relate to the biblical narratives.

Join me now for my discussion with Andre Roosma as we delve into the rich nuances of biblical texts based on their pictographic concepts and notions.