Biblical Hebrew: Beginners - Part 2



Overview

This course builds on the foundations laid in Beginners Part 1, further developing knowledge of Biblical Hebrew. Particular attention is given to verbs and sentence structure, which are key elements for progressing from isolated word recognition to meaningful engagement with full biblical texts. Through continued focus on grammar and vocabulary, students will deepen their ability to read, understand, and analyse Hebrew passages, equipping them with essential tools for more advanced exegesis and theological study.

Students will be expected to have completed Biblical Hebrew: Beginners - Part 1, but the course is also suitable for those who wish to refresh their Biblical Hebrew. 

This course combines online study with a weekly 1-hour live webinar led by your tutor. Find out more about how our short online courses are taught.

Programme details

​​​​​​​This course begins on the 14 January 2026 which is when course materials are made available to students. Students should study these materials in advance of the first live meeting which will be held on 21 January 2026, 7:00-8:00pm (UK time).

  1. Hebrew essentials
  2. Qal perfect
  3. Qal imperfect
  4. Qal imperative
  5. Pronominal suffixes on verbs
  6. Hebrew exegesis
  7. Qal infinitive construct
  8. Qal infinitive absolute
  9. Qal participle
  10. Grammar in action through guided texts

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee £360.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Prof Stefano Salemi

Dr Stefano Salemi is a scholar of biblical studies, languages, and theology. He possesses the rare expertise of someone with multiple doctorates from the UK and Italy in Theology and Biblical Studies. He has also held or continues to hold research and/or teaching posts at various universities, including Harvard, Yale, Oxford, King’s College London, AC University College, University of London, Australian University College of Divinity, Chichester University, Pretoria University, North-West University, Sheffield University, and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK) and has held a number of academic leadership roles at various institutions. He teaches and conducts research in the fields of biblical exegesis, hermeneutics, Hebrew and Greek languages and semantics, biblical and systematic-historical theology, pedagogy, reception history, the arts and theology, and intertextual studies. His publications include numerous articles and chapters for Brill, De Gruyter, Routledge, T&T Clarks, Mohr Siebeck, and many more, and four books on Christ’s death in John (2014, 2025), Hebrew Semantics and Ezekiel (2024) and on the Christology of the Cross (2025).

Course aims

This course aims to deepen the student’s foundational knowledge of Biblical Hebrew through focused engagement with verbal systems, sentence structure, and syntactic patterns. It supports the further development of beginners-level reading and translation skills by enhancing grammatical awareness and expanding vocabulary. Attention is also given to historical and literary contexts that inform the meaning of biblical passages, fostering an integrated approach to exegesis and theological interpretation.

Teaching methods

This course takes place over 10 weeks, with a weekly learning schedule and weekly live webinar held on Microsoft Teams. Shortly before a course commences, students are provided with access to an online virtual learning environment, which houses the course content, including video lectures, complemented by readings or other study materials. Any standard web browser can be used to access these materials, but we recommend Google Chrome. Working through these materials over the course of the week will prepare students for a weekly 1-hour live webinar you will share with your expert tutor and fellow students. All courses are structured to amount to 100 study hours, so that on average, you should set aside 10 hours a week for study. Although the course finishes after 10 weeks, all learning materials remain available to all students for 12 months after the course has finished.

All courses are led by an expert tutor. Tutors guide students through the course materials as part of the live interactions during the weekly webinars. Tutors will also provide individualised feedback on your assignments. All online courses are taught in small student cohorts so that you and your peers will form a mutually supportive and vibrant learning community for the duration of the course. You will learn from your fellow students as well as from your tutor, and they will learn from you.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will be expected to:

  1. Have consolidated and expanded their understanding of the core grammatical structures of Biblical Hebrew, with particular focus on verbal systems and syntax
  2. Have developed increased fluency in recognising and translating extended clauses and sentences
  3. Have deepened their interpretive engagement with the biblical text by relating linguistic structures to cultural, historical, and theological dimensions

Assessment methods

You will be set optional assignments to consolidate your learning and to allow you to progress at your own pace. Weekly tests/quizzes and homework will provide a means of gauging progress over the course.

Application

Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an Enrolment form for short courses | Oxford University Department for Continuing Education

Level and demands

Students will be expected to have completed Biblical Hebrew: Beginners - Part 1, but the course is also suitable for those who wish to refresh their Biblical Hebrew. To benefit from the course, regular preparation in advance of each class is strongly encouraged. In addition to the recommended reading suggested above, there will be additional learning resources for self-study and consolidation.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support