Language Learning
Rabbi, Haim Nacham Bialik made the following statement, “Reading the Bible in translation is like kissing your bride through a veil,”
To deepen one's love and appreciation for the Old and New Testament, learn to read them in Hebrew and Greek. Some of the "most plain and precious" parts of the Bible are frequently lost in translation, particularly when it comes to the poetic and symbolic passages. To discover rich and powerful gems, one does not need to be fluent in these languages. With the advancements of modern technology providing interlinear translations, concordances, and citations, it has never been easier to unlock passages that have previously been inaccessible to the average reader. The prophet Joseph Smith stated, "We believe the Bible to be the word of God as long as it is translated correctly." Learning just a few basic concepts about these languages can provide clarity and tremendous dividends. This can afford each reader intellectual and spiritual independence, opening a sacred space for the Spirit to guide them along their journey - as one who values and considers others' perspectives but does not have to rely solely upon someone else to interpret what the text says or means.
Biblical Hebrew
An introduction to how to read and write the Hebrew Alphabet.
An excellent, free, college course on Biblical Hebrew Grammar, taught by Dr. Bill Barrick. For more information on this and other classes, go to DrBarrick.org
Koine Greek
Greek for All has been my favorite resource for learning Koine Greek online. Unfortunately, not all of their course materials are free, but a lot of them are, and many of their videos are available on their YouTube channel. If one is interested in purchasing their Quest Video Course, the cost is around $200, and in my opinion, it is worth the expense.
Omniglot is an encyclopedia of different writing systems and languages found throughout the world, including all periods of recorded history. This source provided excellent materials summarizing the developments of over 1,760 languages.
There are many differences between Biblical and Modern Greek. The first noticeable difference is the pronunciation.
Erasmian Pronunciation is usually used for the Biblical Greek texts (Koine). Whereas some people will use
Modern Pronunciation. There are some significant differences between the styles. Some good references for learning Modern Greek include Language Transfer and GreekPod101.
Local Resources
Online learning is very convenient, but it is not a substitute for an in-person class or a personal teacher. Several churches offer language classes for very reasonable prices. Contact your local Greek Orthodox Church or Jewish Synagogue to see if and when they offer classes near you. Many will offer both Modern and Biblical courses. Most are very willing to accept students of different faith traditions, and so long as the students are respectful, this can be a very positive experience. In Salt Lake City, adult classes are available at the Kol Ami Synagogue and St. Sophia's Greek School.
For an in-depth overview of the different pronunciation methods used historically, this article, produced by the Biblical Language Center, may be helpful.