One of the blessings of working in a university setting is getting to meet fascinating people and learning about the interesting things they know. Today, I was sent a little treasure by Diana Severance, the director of HBU’s Dunham Bible Museum. Below is a screenshot of some Hebrew-related material from William Bradford. According to Diana,

Pilgrim William Bradford, governor and historian of Plymouth plantation, began learning Hebrew in his old age, and some of his practice sessions of Hebrew are in the front pages of a copy of his History of Plimoth Plantation. The English writing at the top says:

Though I am  growne  aged, yet I have had a long-
ing desire, to see with  my own eyes, something of
that  most ancient language,  and  holy  tongue,
in which  the Law, and  oracles  of  God  were
write; and in which God, and angels, spake to
the holy patriarks, of old time; and what
names were  given  to things,  from the
creation. And though I cañot attaine
to much herein, yet I am refreshed,
to have seen some glimpse  here-
of; (as  Moses  saw  the Land
of canan afarr of)  my aime
and desire is, to see how
the words, and  phrases
lye in  the holy  texte;
and to dicerne some-
what of the  same
for  my  owne
contente.

 Whether you’re young or old, we’d love to have you come and learn Hebrew at HBU with us! Enjoy the picture below!