It’s vital that we go back to the original languages of the Bible, but most of us cannot fluently read and write ancient Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Fortunately, interlinear translations and lexicons are available that make it possible for us to research scripture in its original language. Using interlinear translations and lexicons cannot take the place of actual fluency in the languages, but it offers the average person a means to delve deeper into Biblical studies and move beyond the translated texts.
Interlinear Translation
An interlinear translation lines up the original language and the English translation side-by-side and word-for-word. Following is an excerpt of the interlinear bible available at Biblehub.com:
Line 1 = Strong’s concordance entry for the Hebrew or Greek word. Clicking on this link will open a lexicon defining the original-language word.
Line 2 = Phonetic pronunciation of the original-language word.
Line 3 = Original-language text
Line 4 = English text
Line 5 = English part of language (noun, verb, etc.)
Note that Hebrew reads right to left, and the order of words and phrases will conform to the grammar structure of the original language.
Biblehub.com is one of many interlinear translations online or in hard-copy publication. Strong’s concordance is just one lexicon available to students. These are offered for instructional purposes, and they are popular online tools, but you should feel free to examine and explore other available tools. It can be good practice to consult multiple lexicons for cross-reference and comparison in your study.
Basic Application of the Interlinear Translation
Consider a study of Genesis 1:1 where you want to understand what word “God” is used in the text and what it means. By going to the interlinear translation you can locate the English word (line 4), move above it to see the Hebrew word being translated (line 3), then click on the lexicon link (line 1) for Strong’s number 430. Once in the lexicon, you can explore the root word, meaning, and other Bible verses where the word appears.
This is a very basic tool for study, but also very essential. By going back to the original language, you will gain much deeper knowledge of the original meaning, intent, and application of the scriptures.