How to Study Greek and Hebrew Roots with FaithGPT
Explore the original languages of the Bible to gain deeper understanding of Scripture without formal language training.
In this article
Why Study Original Languages?
The Bible was written in Hebrew (Old Testament), Aramaic (portions), and Greek (New Testament). English translations are excellent, but studying the original languages reveals:
| Benefit | Example |
|---|---|
| Word nuances | Hebrew "hesed" - lovingkindness/covenant love |
| Multiple meanings | Greek "love" has 4 different words |
| Cultural context | Idioms and expressions |
| Deeper precision | Verb tenses and forms |
| Fresh perspectives | Beyond familiar translations |
Hebrew Basics
Characteristics
- Read right to left
- 22-letter alphabet
- Root-based (3-letter roots)
- Concrete, pictorial language
- Poetry-rich
Common Roots to Know
| Root | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| שָׁלוֹם (shalom) | Peace, wholeness | Greeting, peace offerings |
| חֶסֶד (hesed) | Covenant love | God's faithfulness |
| אָהַב (ahav) | Love | Romantic, familial, divine |
| יָרֵא (yare) | Fear, reverence | Fear of the Lord |
| אֱמֶת (emet) | Truth, faithfulness | God's character |
Hebrew Word Study Process
- Find the Hebrew word in your passage
- Look up the root letters
- Explore related words from same root
- See how it's used elsewhere
- Understand the semantic range
Greek Basics
Characteristics
- 24-letter alphabet
- Precise grammar
- Verb tenses indicate aspect
- Multiple words for single English concepts
- Rich philosophical vocabulary
Key Greek Words
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ἀγάπη | agape | Unconditional love |
| φιλέω | phileo | Friendship love |
| πίστις | pistis | Faith, faithfulness |
| χάρις | charis | Grace |
| δικαιοσύνη | dikaiosyne | Righteousness |
| λόγος | logos | Word, reason |
Greek Verb Tenses
| Tense | Focus | Example Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Present | Ongoing action | "Keep asking" vs "ask once" |
| Aorist | Simple occurrence | Point-in-time action |
| Perfect | Completed with results | "It is finished" - done with lasting effect |
| Imperfect | Continuous past | Ongoing past action |
Using FaithGPT for Word Studies
Step-by-Step Process
-
Select a word in Scripture Insights
- Click on a word in your passage
- Choose "Word Study" or "Original Language"
-
Review the analysis
- See Hebrew/Greek original
- Read definition and semantic range
- View other uses in Scripture
-
Explore cross-references
- See how the word is used elsewhere
- Compare different contexts
- Note how translation varies
-
Save your findings
- Add notes to your notebook
- Create word study collections
- Reference in future studies
Example Word Study
Verse: Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything"
Greek word: μεριμνάω (merimnaō)
Analysis:
- Root meaning: to be drawn in different directions
- Same word Jesus uses in Matthew 6:25-34
- Implies divided mind, distraction
- Contrasts with peace in following verses
Application: Anxiety isn't just worry but being pulled apart mentally. The solution Paul gives is unified focus on God through prayer.
Tips for Effective Word Studies
| Tip | Reason |
|---|---|
| Study in context | Words mean different things in different passages |
| Compare translations | See how translators handled the word |
| Look at related words | Words from same root are connected |
| Be humble | You're learning, not becoming an expert |
| Verify with scholars | Check your findings against commentaries |
Word studies use Scripture Insights (1 credit). Free users can explore basic definitions.
Last updated: January 22, 2026
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