Hebraic Musing – What’s the difference between Greek and Hebrew thinking?
We attempt to read
the Hebrew Bible which has been translated into English from a Greek mindset. It is no wonder that we have problems
understanding the Hebrew concepts it is trying to convey. Basically, Greek culture upholds the virtues
of logic, philosophy, science, perfect beauty, athletic achievement, and taming
nature. The descendants of Abraham, the
Hebrews, communicated like Hebrews and didn’t discuss the meaning of life but
lived it. Thus, the Bible contains
Hebrew poetry, Hebrew imagery, Hebrew cultural perspectives, and Hebrew
expressions, much of which is lost to us who read English Bible versions translated
by Greek thinkers.
As we read the
Bible we rarely find detailed descriptions; instead, we have just enough
information to understand the action or message given, without extra
descriptive material. The Bible presents a dynamic Hebrew world of action.
Hebrew and Greek have
two completely opposite world views, which we can see with the Greek focus on
religion, culture, government, reasoning, and logic. In the Bible we find dreams and visions in the
language of Hebrews where everything is in motion, rich and energetic. Hebrew nouns refer to the action of a person,
place or thing. Hebrew is vigorous,
passionate, and explosive. It is
verb-oriented, always active and moving.
In the Hebrew, a
lie may or may not be a lie; for instance, midwives in Egypt. A false statement is not a lie if it agrees
with God’s truth. A lie in Hebrew is
disagreeing with God’s truth or not fulfilling a destiny or purpose.
The Hebrew
language is unique with many expressions to explain abstract ideas in hard,
concrete terms. Here are a few “Hebraisms” of the Bible: Smoke in the nostrils - anger, Ps.
18:18; A face set like flint - determination, Is. 50:17; Gird up your
loins - get ready, Jer. 1:17; Bury a hand in a dish - lazy, Prov.
26:15; Stiff necked - stubborn, Acts 7:51; Lift up the eyes -
look, Gen. 22:4; Hard hearted - compassionless, 1 Sam. 6:6.
The
popular “Shema” prayer in Deut. 6:4-9 starts with “Hear,
O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD
your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
…”. Everything in Hebrew is expressing
action; the word “Hear” implies an ongoing obedience, not just
listen once. When the Lord told Abraham,
“Walk before Me and be blameless,” He wanted Abraham to reveal the Creator’s “Halakhah”,
or “way of walking.” “Shema”
in Hebrew context means to listen and pay full attention as if your life
depended on it, and once you paid attention and heard what is said, begin
immediately to incorporate what has been said into your life. And the result of hearing is to “Love”
(a verb) the LORD. After we hear,
we are to love; both are verbs!
The Western/Greek
viewpoint has a snapshot mentality; man is expected to look at the
moment, and whatever appears before his eyes or catches the attention of his
ears at that specific moment; it takes a “snapshot” and considers it to be
reality. Whereas Hebraic thought is
different; more like a full-length movie of your life – even from the moment of
your conception to your death. This Greek “snapshot” is why (a) The
English word “listen” means only “pay attention"; (b) The English word
‘hear’ means only to recognize words; (c) The English word ‘hear’ only
means to do what you are told.
Hebrew culture
does not admire architecture, sculpture, paintings or physical ability. Hebrew culture does not find beauty in
perfection, but in the act of transformation. Hebrew focuses on seeing what a person does. The Hebrew Bible authors wrote from an Hebrew
culture, so the Scriptures cannot be properly understood outside of their
perspective. Modern Christian teaching
filters Scripture through Greek or Hellenistic glasses.
There are
differing views on God! In
the Hebrew Culture, there is only one God, one source, one
measuring stick, creating a foundation for moral behavior and thus there is a
clear right or wrong. Greek culture, has many gods so a clear
right and wrong becomes unclear. Today’s Greek thinking calls it
“relativism”!
Interesting
differences:
- There is a difference between
function and appearance; example of a pencil – Hebrew thought would say “I
write words with it.” Greek thought would say “it is yellow and
about 8 inches long”.
- In keeping time: In Greek – “Midnight to Midnight” and weekdays
are named after Pagan Gods.
- In Hebrew – a day is “Sunset to
Sunset” (Genesis 1:5) and weekdays are “first day”, “second day”, “third day”, … , “sixth day”,
“The Sabbath”.
Even
Paul understood there was a difference between Jews and Greeks. “Has not God made foolish the wisdom of
the world? … Jews (Hebrews) demand miraculous signs and
Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to
Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews
and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” 1 Corinthians
1:20-24 NIV
In summary,
here’s some clear Distinctions:
- The Hebrew is concerned
with practice; the Greek with knowledge.
- Right conduct is the ultimate
concern of the Hebrew; Right thinking that of the Greek.
- Duty and strictness of
conscience are the paramount things in life for the Hebrew.
- Greeks describe objects in relation
to their appearance; Hebrews describe objects by their function.
Points to Ponder
Is
“Love” a noun (Greek) or a verb (Hebrew)?
Why
do the Jews recite the Shema at least three times a day?
“It’s all Greek to
me” – Old saying, but unfortunately it’s all too true!
Yosef a.k.a.
Joe Brusherd May
27, 2025
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages
exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)” Weekly “Hebraic Musings”
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