Basics of Biblical Aramaic Video Lectures

This updated edition of Basics of Biblical Aramaic Video Lectures, taught by Miles V. Van Pelt and used alongside the accompanying Basics of Biblical Aramaic Grammar, Second Edition textbook (sold separately), introduces students to the second of three biblical languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek).

Designed for students who already have a working knowledge of Hebrew, each lecture is approximately half an hour and is taught using a logical and simple method for learning Biblical Aramaic. Focused on the structural pattern of Biblical Aramaic while minimizing rote paradigm memorization, Van Pelt’s lectures will give students the basic understanding they need to begin reading and studying the 269 Aramaic verses that appear in the Old Testament.

These lessons are an ideal resource for Aramaic language students wanting additional help in their learning; for instructors wanting to devote classroom time to drills and exercises, giving them a lecture tool their students can watch on their own time; and for armchair students of Biblical Aramaic with an interest in learning on their own.

Session Titles and Runtimes:

0 – Introduction (1 min)

1 - Alphabet (15 min)

2 - Vowels (21 min)

3 - Syllabification (30 min)

4 - Nouns: Absolute State (23 min)

5 - Nouns: Determined State (14 min)

6 - Nouns: Construct State (21 min)

7 - Conjunctions and Prepositions (17 min)

8 - Pronominal Suffixes (12 min)

9 - Pronouns (17 min)

10 - Adjectives and Numbers (14 min)

11 - Adverbs and Participles (11 min)

12 - Introduction to Aramaic Verbs (14 min)

13 - Peal Perfect (29 min)

14 - Peal Imperfect (28 min)

15 - Peal Imperative (11 min)

16 - Peal Infinitive Construct (18 min)

17 - Peal Participle (28 min)

18 – The Peil, Hithpeel, and Ithpeel Stems (21 min)

19 – The Pael Stem (19 min)

20 - The Hithpaal and Ithpaal Stems (12 min)

21 – The Haphel Stem (15 min)

22 - The Aphel, Shaphel, and Hophal Stems (16 min)