June 2025: Revised and Expanded!
Would you be surprised if I told you that much of modern Western Christian theology is based on Hebrew words mistranslated and misunderstood?
The translation of the Hebrew Scriptures is both immensely important and challenging. It’s vital because it allows billions of people who do not read or understand Hebrew to engage with the Hebrew Scriptures. However, capturing the full meaning of the original language is a complex and sometimes impossible task.
Hebrew is a rich and nuanced language, carrying cultural, historical, and theological significance in every word. Sometimes, there’s no direct English equivalent to a Hebrew word.
Inevitably, each translator brings their perspective to the text, which may unintentionally introduce bias. If a translator holds a particular theological view, they might select words that support their interpretation. This is not always intentional, as our beliefs and perspectives naturally influence how we understand and communicate ideas.
However, this can sometimes result in translations that reflect personal agendas or specific doctrinal perspectives. For instance, how one translates key passages can significantly affect theological concepts like the nature of God, salvation, or eschatology.
This underscores the importance of approaching any translation with discernment, recognizing that it represents an interpretation, not just a straightforward rendering of the original text.
In this concise volume, we journey through 15 Hebrew words rich in meaning yet often misunderstood or mistranslated. In their complexity, these words have a significant impact on readers’ beliefs, often without their conscious awareness.
Each word explored in this book holds an entire world within it, encapsulating profound cultural, historical, and theological nuances often overlooked in translation. Our exploration aims to illuminate these subtleties, enhancing the understanding of these words in their original Hebrew context.
About the Author:Dr. Eitan Bar (1984) is an uprising Jewish-Christian scholar and thinker with several advanced Bible and theology degrees living in Israel. His unique combination of Jewish background and Christian education and faith offers a fresh view of various spiritual doctrines. As a native Hebrew speaker and a Bible scholar, he combines his Jewish heritage with his Christian education and faith to offer new and timely perspectives on Christianity.
–Scroll down for a sample.
From the Publisher
A non-fiction book can stretch to 500 pages or more (large pages, small font, and minimal spacing), taking many days to read. They can also be heavy with technical language, often making even the most avid readers feel drowsy. In contrast, the Quick-Read Collection books are smaller, concise, and feature easy-to-read, spacious, large fonts, usually just 100-150 pages long!
These short books, typically readable within one or two sittings only, are designed to deliver meaningful insights without the fluff often found in longer works. They’re straightforward, to the point, and written in clear, simple language—making them engaging and easy to follow. Perfect for busy readers, the Quick-Read Collection avoids the unnecessary details that can bog down traditional books, focusing instead on what really matters. Whether you want to learn something new, reflect on important ideas, or enjoy a concise and satisfying read, the Quick-Read Collection offers the depth you’re looking for without the risk of losing interest or falling asleep. Sometimes, less really is more.
Sample
Sample
Hebrew Insights From native-born Israeli Jewish scholar
Dr. Eitan Bar
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Eitan Bar, a Jewish-Christian born in Tel Aviv, Israel (1984), holds bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees in Bible and theology. He has authored several books, including a few best-sellers. Eitan frequently lectures worldwide, primarily in Europe and the US, and his videos (teachings and lectures) have garnered over 25 million views.
ASIN : B0CC275C3D
Publisher : SHAMUS
Accessibility : Learn more
Publication date : August 14, 2023
Language : English
File size : 1.4 MB
Simultaneous device usage : Unlimited
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Not Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 174 pages
Page Flip : Enabled
Part of series : Quick-Read Collection
Best Sellers Rank: #244,262 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store) #13 in Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) Meditations #20 in Christian Old Testament Meditations #103 in Hebrew Bible
Customer Reviews: 4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 143 ratings var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when(‘A’, ‘ready’).execute(function(A) { if (dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction !== true) { dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction = true; A.declarative( ‘acrLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault”: true }, function (event) { if (window.ue) { ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } } ); } }); P.when(‘A’, ‘cf’).execute(function(A) { A.declarative(‘acrStarsLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault” : true }, function(event){ if(window.ue) { ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } }); });
QueenB –
Uplifting and Profound
A must read for anyone who wants to understand the Bible from a Jewish perspective….well, 15 key words to start. Dr. Bar is easy to read and understand – very approachable and relatable. He writes clearly and always points the reader to a deeper understanding of the Father’s heart. He also helps the reader to hear what Jesus’ first audience heard and understood when He spoke as well as unpacking definitions of impactful words in Scripture that truly have been Lost in Translation. It is thick with meaning and depth that is all too often missed in our western theology. Truly encouraging, uplifting and deeply profound! Highly recommend!
Lisa Clark –
Highly recommended
I highly recommend this book. Eitan Bar sheds valuable insight into the meaning of important words and concepts in the Christian faith, providing the cultural context (which is so important in understand the Bible) to the words and their use in the time and place of their origins. Moreover, the book is well-written and accessible to the average reader. Bar has condensed what could have been lengthy exposition on words and concepts into language a layman can comprehend and recall.
Anne R Ivey –
Beautifully written
I cannot emphasize enough the depth and beauty of this book! It is poetically written and touched my heart like no other book other than the Bible.The Hebraic meanings of these 15 Hebrew words has opened my eyes to a much deeper understanding of God’s Word.I have reread many verses with a clearer picture of what God is saying. You will not be disappointed in this book.
chris l –
Write Phonetic sounds and use the words in sentences
Hi eitan. Just receive your book. Two suggestions if yoy can add to your writings.First can you write phonetic pronunciation of the words. i don’t know how to pronounce jewish words perhaps shalom alone. For example i cannot pronounce qorban. And the Jewish writing is very foreign and unfamiliar wrtings to me that i cannot understand.Secondly, can you put the words used in the scripture verses and or put it in the sentences duriing the bible period context and or current usage of the words in Jewish society.These additional information would give a very novice reader of Hebrews lik e myself a better understanding of these very important words and terms. Thank you. So far i breezed readingthru on the chapter of Shalom.
Linda Nobles –
Great eye opening book
Eitan Bar is a great author. Another must read book. We often look at the Bible from what we are taught to see. The truth of the matter is, there is a lot more going on behind the words and Eitan Bar explains this. If you’re a serious scholar of the Bible or are simply just seeking the truth, please read this book. Your heart and mind will be opened.
lynn louise –
Discovery in action!
What an incredible journey of discovery! Every Christian and non-believer should walk through the paths of this book to provoke a renewed examination of crucial doctrines. There shouldn’t be fear in contemplation and consideration….but engagement with what truth might look like. I’m buying multiple copies for gift giving.
Robyn L. Tatham –
Love this book!
Eitan Bar is a wonderful writer and I have learned much from his writing. This book is no exception; it was enlightening to learn what Hebrew words in the Bible really mean,
Sunny –
Highly Recommend
Fantastic book. There is a unique and special depth to this book, even though concise, that I have not encountered in other ‘layperson’ books about original meanings of Scriptural text. Highly recommend.
G.D. Wilson –
This book is enlightening, and gave me a fall deeper understanding of what the various words mean. Our English translations just do not plum the depths of the meanings and have led to so much misunderstanding. Every non-Jewish believer would benefit from reading this book, and come to deeper understanding of who God is, and what Scripture reveals about him
Jonathan –
A fascinating book, very well written and informative. Condition and delivery great, as promised.
I was happy with the item when I had opened it. However, Amazon’s drivers continue to lie claiming that items are handled to residents, when they are left outside in hallways or even outside buildings. They could easily be removed by anyone! Not good! –
The author’s insights and observations about the depth of the Hebrew language’s richness and the potential to suggest a wider and more nuanced understanding of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament is wonderful. Thoughtful, spiritual and profound.
Kristine McDonald –
Another great book by Eitan Bar. I needed to read this book this week. I read The Gospel of Divine Abuse which is the best book I’ve ever read. It did me a lot of good. That was last month. I felt so much better after reading that book. But it has worn off a little. So I needed this book to remind me of God’s love again. I didn’t expect this book to do that but it did. I also recommend you buy Eitan Bar’s other book I just mentioned. You will not be disappointed.
michael russon –
This is an excellent resource as we see modern versions of The Bible often missing the point