About the Hebrew Minor
BYU offers two Hebrew minors: Biblical Hebrew and Modern Hebrew. Each program helps students develop language skills while deepening their understanding of Hebrew texts, culture, and history.
Why Study Hebrew?
Studying Hebrew provides access to the language of the Hebrew Bible as well as the modern spoken language of Israel. Students gain a deeper understanding of religious texts, cultural traditions, and the historical development of one of the world’s most influential languages. Through language study, students also develop insight into the customs, beliefs, and daily life of Hebrew-speaking communities.
What You’ll Study
The Hebrew minor includes both Biblical Hebrew and Modern Hebrew.
Students studying Biblical Hebrew develop the ability to read prose and poetry from the Hebrew Bible and gain an understanding of its formation, transmission, and historical context. The program also supports the development of long-term study habits for continued engagement with scriptural texts.
Students studying Modern Hebrew gain proficiency in the contemporary language used in Israel and by Hebrew-speaking communities worldwide. Coursework emphasizes reading, writing, speaking, and listening, while also exploring modern culture and communication.
Experiential Learning Opportunities
When conditions permit, students may participate in intensive Hebrew study through programs at the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies. These experiences allow students to deepen language skills while engaging directly with the cultural and historical environment in which Hebrew is used.
The BYU Jerusalem Center
The BYU Jerusalem Center offers students the opportunity to live and study in Jerusalem for approximately four months. Students enroll through the Provo campus and participate in a core curriculum that includes Old and New Testament studies, ancient and modern Near Eastern studies, and language instruction in Hebrew and Arabic. Classroom learning is complemented by field trips throughout the region.
The Center is located on Mount Scopus and overlooks the Mount of Olives, the Kidron Valley, and the Old City. It includes student housing, classrooms, study spaces, and shared facilities that support both academic and community life.
Skills and Outcomes
Through the Hebrew minor, students develop the ability to read and interpret Biblical texts, communicate in Modern Hebrew, and analyze language within its cultural and historical context. Students also build critical thinking, research, and communication skills that support a wide range of academic and professional pathways.