Biblical Hebrew as a Living Language in Nigeria — Getting Ready
We have asked Yuval and Tali some questions leading up to this trip. Here is what they have to say:
How have you been preparing for your trip to Nigeria?
Tali: Mainly by finding out everything possible about the safety of the area where we will be staying (since the Christian population in Nigeria suffers from severe violence), and by preparing clothing that is appropriate for both the local culture and the challenging expected climate (as a woman who needs to teach men, it’s not always easy to find comfortable yet modest clothing for hot and humid weather). I am also mentally preparing myself for a month of possible changes in my freedom of movement, freedom of speech (for most Israelis, it’s natural to speak directly and express their opinions freely), living conditions, diet, and more.
Yuval: I am currently completing my course for Biblical Hebrew Teachers of Hebrew for the Nations. I am busy delving into the beauty of Biblical grammar, with its similarities and differences from modern Hebrew. I read the Bible, but focusing solely on the literal sense, the words, the roots and the syntax. This is a new way for me to look at the Bible and I am grateful that this opens a new level of truly “diving into” the text.
Nigeria is the single country with the most Bible Translation projects currently running. How do you see training in Biblical Hebrew as a Living Language supporting this effort?
Tali: The unique teaching method we use is very effective at helping students not only learn quickly, but retain their knowledge. Therefore, I have no doubt that participating in such a course can leverage the work of Bible translators and greatly assist them.
Yuval: Learning a language as a living language brings the words to life, the deep sense of the text. As Nigeria is such an important centre for Biblical translation, this is the best place to reach out to translators and bring the Hebrew Bible to life for them so they can convey this deep meaning into their own languages.
What are your expectations for this trip?
Tali: Besides achieving the course goals with God’s help, I also hope to learn a lot about the worldview of the students in the course and the Nigerian population in general, about Nigerian culture and living conditions (I hope we won’t stay in our own “bubble” within the course framework but will be exposed to all of the above), and to witness how understanding the Bible affects the lives of the locals.
Yuval: I am excited to bring to practice everything I learned in the Biblical Hebrew Teachers course of Hebrew for the Nations. I hope to be able to connect to my brothers in Christ and learn from them about how they live their faith, on the other side of the world from me in a different way, but sharing the same belief and united by one God. I hope to be able to serve and see the fruit of our labour when the translators will start (with God’s grace) actually speaking the language of the Bible.
Why is it important for Israelis to bring Biblical Hebrew as a Living Language to the nations?
Tali: Our very existence today – thousands of years since the Bible and the New Testament were written – is proof of God’s faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, His faithfulness to His word, and the relevance of the “Old Testament” (whose importance has been somewhat overlooked by many Christians over the generations). Therefore, I think it is very important for other nations, especially Christians, to meet and get to know Israelis and Jews, not just know about them theoretically. Additionally, it is important that we Israelis also make an effort and go out into the world to be a blessing to various nations, as we are called to bless the families of the earth (as God promised Abraham).
Yuval: Being a native Hebrew speaker, I see it as a gift from God. Israelis who live in Israel and use Hebrew daily, have a connection with the language that enables us to speak in a very natural way. Like all talents, the unique “coins” the Lord gives each one, we are supposed to use for the Kingdom of God. I think it is one of my callings as an Israeli to use my Hebrew to help translators in their important mission to bring the Word to their people.
How can we be praying for you in your preparations for Nigeria?
Tali: Please pray that I will be able to obtain and prepare everything necessary in time and with calm, and that I won’t have severe reactions to the expected vaccinations… Thank you very much for your support in prayer!
Yuval: The past few months have been the hardest and worst in my entire life, yet I had the support of family, friends and friends in Christ. Leaving Israel at a time of war means being away from all of this support. Please pray that in the time until the flight I’ll gather mental strength that will help me in my time away.
We are praying for an impactful course this summer! If you would like to support Yuval,Tali, and our third team member, please visit the Jerusalem Seminary “Give” page, select the “School of Hebrew: Hebrew for the Nations” Fund and write “Nigeria 2024” in the note field along with your donation information. We are also grateful for your prayers for the team as they travel. Thank you!
This is great news and important work! We’re praying for you as you partner with Nigerian brothers and sisters. The Lord bless you as you prepare and travel there and may He bless the work going on there in Bible translation with much good fruit.