Hebrew Language and Literature

Hebrew (/ˈhiːbruː/; עִבְרִית‎, Ivrit [ivˈʁit] (listen) or [ʕivˈɾit] (listen)) is a Northwest Semitic language native to Israel, spoken by over 9 million people worldwide. Historically, it is regarded as the language of the Israelites and their ancestors, although the language was not referred to by the name Hebrew in the Tanakh.[note 1] The earliest examples of written Paleo-Hebrew date from the 10th century BCE. Hebrew belongs to the West Semitic branch of the Afroasiatic language family. Hebrew is the only living Canaanite language left, and the only truly successful example of a revived dead language.

Hebrew had ceased to be an everyday spoken language somewhere between 200 and 400 CE, declining since the aftermath of the Bar Kokhba revolt.[note 2] Aramaic and to a lesser extent Greek were already in use as international languages, especially among elites and immigrants. Hebrew survived into the medieval period as the language of Jewish liturgy, rabbinic literature, intra-Jewish commerce, and poetry. Then, in the 19th century, it was revived as a spoken and literary language. It became the lingua franca of Palestine's Jews, and subsequently of the State of Israel. According to Ethnologue, in 1998, it was the language of 5 million people worldwide. After Israel, the United States has the second largest Hebrew-speaking population, with 220,000 fluent speakers, mostly from Israel.

Modern Hebrew is the official language of the State of Israel, while premodern Hebrew is used for prayer or study in Jewish communities around the world today. The Samaritan dialect is also the liturgical tongue of the Samaritans, while modern Hebrew or Arabic is their vernacular. As a foreign language, it is studied mostly by Jews and students of Judaism and Israel, and by archaeologists and linguists specializing in the Middle East and its civilizations, as well as by theologians in Christian seminaries.

The Torah (the first five books), and most of the rest of the Hebrew Bible, is written in Biblical Hebrew, with much of its present form specifically in the dialect that scholars believe flourished around the 6th century BCE, around the time of the Babylonian captivity. For this reason, Hebrew has been referred to by Jews as Lashon Hakodesh (לשון הקדש), "the Holy Language", since ancient times.

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Matching Hebrew Language and Literature Colleges

New York University

Four or more years; Private not for profit; $53,770 average out-state tuition; $53,770 average in-state tuition

CUNY Hunter College

Four or more years; Public; $14,880 average out-state tuition; $6,930 average in-state tuition

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Four or more years; Public; $54,769 average out-state tuition; $16,865 average in-state tuition

Multnomah University

Four or more years; Private not for profit; $28,160 average out-state tuition; $28,160 average in-state tuition

University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

Four or more years; Public; $25,433 average out-state tuition; $10,099 average in-state tuition

Yeshiva University

Four or more years; Private not for profit; $44,300 average out-state tuition; $44,300 average in-state tuition

Hofstra University

Four or more years; Private not for profit; $50,265 average out-state tuition; $50,265 average in-state tuition

Scholarships for Hebrew Language and Literature Majors

Bullet name award deadline Link
 

Beinecke Scholarship - Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College

$34,000 Varies See Details

Description

The Beinecke Scholarship is open to juniors at Dartmouth College who plan to enter a master's or doctoral program in the arts, humanities or social sciences. You must be a U.S. citizen or a U.S. national from American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the Northern Marian Islands and demonstrate financial need to qualify for this award. In addition,...

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Beinecke Scholarship - Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College

award

$34,000

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The Beinecke Scholarship is open to juniors at Dartmouth College who plan to enter a master's or doctoral program in the arts, humanities or social sciences. You must be a U.S. citizen or a U.S. national from American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the Northern Marian Islands and demonstrate financial need to qualify for this award. In addition,...

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Rapoport Service Scholarship

University of Texas, Austin, College of Liberal Arts

Up to $30,000 February 01, 2026 See Details

Description

The Rapoport Service Scholarship is available to freshmen enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Austin. You must have a desire to perform community service, agree to perform at least 200 hours of community service each summer, and take coursework that provides an intellectual foundation for your experience in...

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Rapoport Service Scholarship

University of Texas, Austin, College of Liberal Arts

award

Up to $30,000

deadline

February 01, 2026
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Description

The Rapoport Service Scholarship is available to freshmen enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Austin. You must have a desire to perform community service, agree to perform at least 200 hours of community service each summer, and take coursework that provides an intellectual foundation for your experience in...

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CU Boulder Arts & Humanities Achievement Scholarship

University of Colorado Boulder

$4,000 January 15, 2026 See Details

Description

The CU Boulder Arts & Humanities Achievement Scholarship is available to incoming freshman undergraduate students at the University of Colorado-Boulder who are non-residents. To be considered for this renewable award, you must have a minimum weighted GPA of 3.85. Additionally, you must major in one of the following areas: Art History, Asian...

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CU Boulder Arts & Humanities Achievement Scholarship

University of Colorado Boulder

award

$4,000

deadline

January 15, 2026
See Details

Description

The CU Boulder Arts & Humanities Achievement Scholarship is available to incoming freshman undergraduate students at the University of Colorado-Boulder who are non-residents. To be considered for this renewable award, you must have a minimum weighted GPA of 3.85. Additionally, you must major in one of the following areas: Art History, Asian...

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Critical Need Language Award

Institute of International Education

Up to $3,000 October 03, 2025 See Details

Description

The Critical Need Language Award is available to undergraduate students who are studying a critical need language while abroad in a country or location in which the language is predominantly spoken. Selection is based on a short essay submission Submit a short essay submission describing how you intend to improve your critical need language...

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Critical Need Language Award

Institute of International Education

award

Up to $3,000

deadline

October 03, 2025
See Details

Description

The Critical Need Language Award is available to undergraduate students who are studying a critical need language while abroad in a country or location in which the language is predominantly spoken. Selection is based on a short essay submission Submit a short essay submission describing how you intend to improve your critical need language...

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CU Boulder Arts & Humanities Gold Scholarship

University of Colorado Boulder

$3,000 January 15, 2026 See Details

Description

The CU Boulder Arts & Humanities Gold Scholarship is available to incoming freshman undergraduate students at the University of Colorado-Boulder. To be considered for this renewable award, you must have a minimum weighted GPA of 3.85 and be a Colorado resident. Additionally, you must major in one of the following areas: Art History, Asian...

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CU Boulder Arts & Humanities Gold Scholarship

University of Colorado Boulder

award

$3,000

deadline

January 15, 2026
See Details

Description

The CU Boulder Arts & Humanities Gold Scholarship is available to incoming freshman undergraduate students at the University of Colorado-Boulder. To be considered for this renewable award, you must have a minimum weighted GPA of 3.85 and be a Colorado resident. Additionally, you must major in one of the following areas: Art History, Asian...

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Todd and Dawn Aaron Endowed Presidential Scholarship

University of Texas, Austin, College of Liberal Arts

$3,000 March 30, 2026 See Details

Description

The Todd and Dawn Aaron Endowed Presidential Scholarship is available to full-time students at the University of Texas-Austin who are majoring in Jewish Studies. To be considered for this award, you must submit a resume, letter of recommendation, and an essay submissions describing how Jewish Studies have shaped your views and your achievements...

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Todd and Dawn Aaron Endowed Presidential Scholarship

University of Texas, Austin, College of Liberal Arts

award

$3,000

deadline

March 30, 2026
See Details

Description

The Todd and Dawn Aaron Endowed Presidential Scholarship is available to full-time students at the University of Texas-Austin who are majoring in Jewish Studies. To be considered for this award, you must submit a resume, letter of recommendation, and an essay submissions describing how Jewish Studies have shaped your views and your achievements...

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Henry Weiss Scholarship for Jewish Studies Majors

University of Texas, Austin, College of Liberal Arts

Up to $2,000 October 27, 2025 See Details

Description

The Henry Weiss Scholarship for Jewish Studies Majors is available to students at the University of Texas-Austin who are majoring in Jewish Studies. To be considered for this award, you must submit a resume, letter of recommendation, and a 350-word maximum essay detailing why you have chosen to major in Jewish Studies and what you hope to gain...

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Henry Weiss Scholarship for Jewish Studies Majors

University of Texas, Austin, College of Liberal Arts

award

Up to $2,000

deadline

October 27, 2025
See Details

Description

The Henry Weiss Scholarship for Jewish Studies Majors is available to students at the University of Texas-Austin who are majoring in Jewish Studies. To be considered for this award, you must submit a resume, letter of recommendation, and a 350-word maximum essay detailing why you have chosen to major in Jewish Studies and what you hope to gain...

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David M. Rosenberg Scholarship for Jewish Studies Majors

University of Texas, Austin, College of Liberal Arts

Up to $2,000 October 27, 2025 See Details

Description

The David M. Rosenberg Scholarship for Jewish Studies Majors is available to first-year students at the University of Texas-Austin who are majoring in Jewish Studies. To be considered for this award, you must submit a resume, letter of recommendation, and a 350-word maximum essay detailing why you have chosen to major in Jewish Studies and what...

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David M. Rosenberg Scholarship for Jewish Studies Majors

University of Texas, Austin, College of Liberal Arts

award

Up to $2,000

deadline

October 27, 2025
See Details

Description

The David M. Rosenberg Scholarship for Jewish Studies Majors is available to first-year students at the University of Texas-Austin who are majoring in Jewish Studies. To be considered for this award, you must submit a resume, letter of recommendation, and a 350-word maximum essay detailing why you have chosen to major in Jewish Studies and what...

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Michael Hodge Memorial Scholarship

Galveston College

$1,000 Varies See Details

Description

The Michael Hodge Memorial Scholarship is available to students at Galveston College. You must have completed 6 semester minimum, have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and pursuing a degree in humanities or fine arts to be eligible for this award.

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Michael Hodge Memorial Scholarship

Galveston College

award

$1,000

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The Michael Hodge Memorial Scholarship is available to students at Galveston College. You must have completed 6 semester minimum, have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and pursuing a degree in humanities or fine arts to be eligible for this award.

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Humanities & Social Sciences Tiger Athletic Foundation Scholarship

Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, College of Arts and Science

$1,000 Varies See Details

Description

The Humanities & Social Sciences Tiger Athletic Foundation Scholarship is available to students at Louisiana State University. You must be enrolled in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences, demonstrate financial need, and have a minimum 3.4 GPA to be eligible for this award.

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Humanities & Social Sciences Tiger Athletic Foundation Scholarship

Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, College of Arts and Science

award

$1,000

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The Humanities & Social Sciences Tiger Athletic Foundation Scholarship is available to students at Louisiana State University. You must be enrolled in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences, demonstrate financial need, and have a minimum 3.4 GPA to be eligible for this award.

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