A History of Hebrew Part 4: Old Hebrew and Samaritan

This is a segment of a much larger video production that I am working on and am looking for feedback (positive and negative) on the layout and content.

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The mention of the Hebrew alphabet brings to mind the Hebrew letters that are familiar to many today that are used in Torah scrolls, Hebrew Bibles and even in modern Hebrew Books and Newspapers. However, history suggests that these Hebrew letters are not the same Hebrew letters used in antiquity.

In 1854, Thomas Hartwell wrote; "The present Hebrew Characters, or Letters, are twenty two in number, and of a square form: but the antiquity of these letters is a point that has been most severely contested by many learned men." Hartwell continues, "But the most decisive confirmation of this point is to be found in ancient Hebrew coins, which were struck before the [Babylonian] captivity, and even engraven on all of them are manifestly the same with the modern Samaritan" --Thomas Hartwell, An introduction to the Critical Study and Knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, Pub. 1854, Page 190

The Samaritans are, according to themselves, the descendents of the Northern Tribes of Israel that were not sent into Assyrian captivity, and have continuously resided in the land of Israel.

The Torah Scroll of the Samaritans use an alphabet that is very different from the one used on Jewish Torah Scrolls.

According to the Samaritans themselves and Hebrew scholars, this alphabet is the original "Old Hebrew" alphabet.

Even as far back as 1691, this connection between the Samaritan and the "Old" Hebrew alphabets was made by Henry Dodwell, "[the Samaritans] still preserve [the Pentateuch] in the Old Hebrew character" Henry Dodwell, A Discourse Concerning Sanchoniathon's Phoenician History, Pub. 1691, Page 118

Humphrey Prideaux also writes in 1799, "And these five books [of the Samaritans] still have among them, written in the old Hebrew or Phoenician character, which was in use among them before the Babylonish captivity, and in which both these and all other scriptures were written, till Ezra transcribed them into that of the Chaldeans." --Humphrey Prideaux, The Old and New Testament connected in the history of the Jews and Neighbouring Nations, Pub. 1799, Page 431

According to Prideaux, the Hebrew Torah (Pentateuch) was originally written with an alphabet similar to that of the Samaritans, but after the Exile in Babylon it was transcribed with the Chaldean square alphabet which is still used today in modern Hebrew.

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Credits

Narration: Jeff A. Benner

Graphics: Jeff A. Benner

Footage: Matt Beynon Rees http://www.mattbeynonrees.com

Category:

Education

[1robinsong]

But the exile in Babylon was not experienced by the 10 Northern Tribes. The exile in Babylon (see book of Jeremiah) was only experienced by the southern kingdom of Judah (3 tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi). Therefore, one must conclude that this "square" script was NEVER a part of the script of the 10 Northern tribes. The 10 Northern tribes were scattered to the 4 corners of the earth after the Assyrian captivity, which was about 135 years prior to the Babylonian capt. of the South.

[ancienthebreworg]

@1robinsong Excellent points and 100% accurate, thank you for clarifying this for everyone.

[jaimesssi]

Very Interresting !

Could we get this "Bible" ?

Mercy

[ancienthebreworg]

@jaimesssi If you are referring to the Samaritans Torah, yes, but only the Samaritans sell it, and it is available through their website.

[Venustarr]

I'm really tired of these "black israelites" and their blatant racism! They come on every video pertaining to Hebraic culture and it is quite annoying. These people don't even speak Hebrew let alone truly practice Judaism. Don't get me wrong, there are some Africans that are actually Hebrew through culture and through DNA but overall the Hebrews were Semites which is where the Arabic races come from. Africans come through the line of Ham.

[ancienthebreworg]

@Venustarr I get pretty tired of it myself, but I just ignore it and let them rant, everyone knows they are just "rantings" :)

[discoqueen1970]

@HJKelley47 I agree with you 100%. If, you believe in Creation, then we are all family. It is only those filled with hate and bigotry that cannot believe that they have blood lines to the Jewish race, Black race or any race. It's only their race. Well, all I can say is I am glad I belong to this particular Human Race.

[HJKelley47]

@jonny7748 I am persuade that if we all had DNA testing, we would discover some very interesting results. If, indeed, we believe in the Torah's account of creation, then it becomes evident that we all find our origins in the original male & female. If you can accept that truth, then Noah, his wife & offspring also find their origins in Adam and Eve. With all of our advancements, there is still a very sad deep seated need within fallen man to prove himself superior over another.

[IDV82atl]

@Venustarr Instead of through the line of Chicken?

[jaimesssi]

@ancienthebreworg

Merci, but i dont know about their website !!!

Do you have, one of "those" Biblos ?