What did the Hebrew alphabet look like before the square script we know today? This episode traces the evolution of Paleo-Hebrew from its Phoenician roots through six centuries of change. We explore the major phases—from early inscriptions like the Gezer Calendar to the standardized forms found in the Dead Sea Scrolls—and explain how political and cultural identity shaped the script’s divergence. If you’ve ever wondered how we know what ancient Hebrew looked like, or why the script changed over time, this episode gives you the full picture.