Uncategorized

Uncategorized

MembersHow Hebrew Almost Became the Language of America

Imagine US-Israel relations today if both nations spoke the language of the Bible!

How Hebrew almost became the language of America.
Photo: Public domain

Our story begins with a group of Pilgrims seeking to escape the religious persecutions they experienced under the Church of England. Arriving in the years following the famous voyage of the Mayflower to the shores of Plymouth, Massachusetts, these Puritans sought to build “a city upon a hill,” wrote John Winthrop, the first governor of Massachusetts Bay. A “New English Israel” that would bring about Protestant reforms throughout the English Empire. The region was later renamed “New England.”

William Gifford, an English poet and essayist, received a report that “In the rebellion of the Colonies, a member of that state seriously proposed to Congress the putting down of the English language by law, and decreeing the universal adoption of Hebrew in its stead.” Some believe this was intended as a mockery of the mutinous colonists, but there is sufficient evidence to show that this was a very real and serious consideration.

Israel Today Membership

Become a Member

  • Read all member content

    Get exclusive in-depth reports from Israel.

  • Get exclusive in-depth reports from Israel

    Connect with Israel, right from your home.

  • Lift up the voice of truth and hope

    Support Jerusalem-based Zionist journalism.

Already a member? .

About the author

Patrick Callahan

This is an example of author bio/description. Beard fashion axe trust fund, post-ironic listicle scenester. Uniquely mesh maintainable users rather than plug-and-play testing procedures.

Leave a Reply

Login