Conducting lexical studies in Biblical Hebrew requires more than looking up definitions—it demands a layered approach using scholarly lexicons like HALOT, BDB, and TDOT, digital tools like Logos and Tanakh.Info, and ancient translations such as the LXX and Targumim. These resources help uncover a word’s semantic range, grammatical behavior, and theological resonance across genres and historical contexts. Whether parsing חֶסֶד or רוּחַ, lexical study reveals how Hebrew words carry covenantal depth, poetic nuance, and divine mystery—transforming linguistic inquiry into theological insight.
Why Lexical Study Matters
A lexical study in Biblical Hebrew goes beyond mere dictionary definitions. It investigates how a word functions across contexts, genres, and historical periods to reveal theological, poetic, and cultural nuance. To do this responsibly, one must use a combination of linguistic tools, databases, and ancient translations.
Essential Lexicons and Dictionaries
These foundational resources provide definitions, etymologies, and contextual uses of Hebrew words:
| Tool | Description | Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| HALOT (Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament) | Comprehensive scholarly lexicon of Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic | Historical depth, linguistic rigor, broad usage examples |
| BDB (Brown-Driver-Briggs) | Classic lexicon organized by root | Accessibility, etymological notes, older yet foundational |
| TDOT (Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament) | Multi-volume theological analysis of key Hebrew words | Deep semantic-theological insights, excellent for preaching and theology |
| Davidson’s Analytical Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon | Root-based, older analytical tool | Helpful for parsing rare forms, quick references |
Digital Tools and Concordances
Modern software and online databases streamline the lexical process by providing searchable access to the full Hebrew Bible with tagging and morphological support:
- Accordance Bible Software – Morphological search, semantic range visualization, LXX/Peshitta alignment
- Logos Bible Software – Integrates lexicons, textual apparatuses, syntax trees, and reverse interlinears
- STEP Bible (Free) – Online access to BHS text with morphological and lexical tagging
- SHEBANQ – Queries based on the ETCBC database; ideal for syntax and semantic analysis
- Blue Letter Bible – Useful for quick Strong’s number cross-references and basic concordance access
- Tanakh.info – Free access to the full Masoretic Text with analytical tools and advanced morphology search
- SamaritanTorah.com – Comparative analysis of the Samaritan Pentateuch with the Masoretic text; helpful for historical lexical insights and variant readings
Ancient Versions for Comparative Lexicography
Understanding how early translators rendered a Hebrew word helps illuminate how it was interpreted in antiquity:
- Septuagint (LXX) – Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. Shows how Hellenistic Jews understood Hebrew terms.
- Peshitta – Syriac version offering insight from a Semitic language closely related to Hebrew.
- Targumim – Aramaic paraphrases or interpretations of the Hebrew Bible. Excellent for theological nuances.
- Vulgate – Latin translation by Jerome. Reflects post-Hebrew and post-Greek theological synthesis.
Methodological Steps for a Lexical Study
- Identify the Hebrew word and root: Use a parsing tool to determine the root, form, and syntactic role.
- Survey lexical entries: Compare HALOT, BDB, and TDOT entries. Note overlapping and divergent meanings.
- Compile context usage: Search across the Hebrew Bible for all occurrences and categorize by genre or function.
- Analyze grammatical behavior: Observe verb stems (binyanim), noun cases, or prepositional collocations.
- Check ancient versions: See how the LXX, Targumim, and Peshitta translate the word.
- Synthesize theological insight: Consider how usage evolves within Torah, Prophets, and Writings.
From Tools to Theology
Lexical study in Biblical Hebrew is not merely a linguistic task—it is a theological adventure. Every tool listed above enables the student to hear more clearly the echoes of covenantal speech, poetic justice, and divine promise embedded in the Hebrew text. Through careful, reverent study, one discovers how a word like חֶסֶד (“steadfast love”) or רוּחַ (“spirit”) opens not only meaning—but mystery.
