Mastering Words Through Etymology & Scripture
YOUTH EDITION | Ages 10-16
TRUTH CARRIERS ACADEMY
Words are powerful. Yahuah spoke the universe into existence through words. Understanding vocabulary deeply - not just definitions, but origins, roots, and connections - gives you power to:
Each lesson teaches 5 words through etymology (word origins), Hebrew/Greek roots, and Scripture connections.
From a root meaning "to cut" - covenants were made by cutting animals in half and walking between the pieces (Genesis 15:17-18). This symbolized: "May I be cut in pieces if I break this covenant."
From Latin convenire = "to come together, agree" (con- "together" + venire "to come")
Yahuah made a covenant with Abraham, promising to make his descendants as numerous as the stars.
Means "to be set apart, consecrated." The Sabbath was the first thing Yahuah sanctified (Genesis 2:3).
From Latin sanctus = "holy" + facere = "to make"
Related words: sanctuary, saint, sacred
Yahuah sanctified the seventh day, setting it apart from the other six days of the week.
The "kinsman-redeemer" (go'el) was a family member who could buy back property or free a relative from slavery. Boaz was Ruth's kinsman-redeemer, foreshadowing Yahusha.
From Latin redimere = "to buy back" (re- "back" + emere "to buy")
Related: redemption, redeemer
Means "to cover" - sins are covered by the blood of sacrifice. Yom Kippur = "Day of Atonement/Covering."
Middle English: at + one + ment = "at-one-ment" - being made "at one" with Elohim!
This is the same Greek word used for the "mercy seat" - the cover of the Ark of the Covenant where blood was sprinkled on Yom Kippur.
1. Yahusha's blood provides for our sins, satisfying Yahuah's justice.
2. The Sabbath was the first thing Yahuah chose to , setting it apart as holy.
3. Boaz served as a kinsman who could Ruth from her situation.
4. Abraham entered into a with Yahuah, sealed by walking between animal pieces.
5. Yom Kippur, the Day of , is when Israel's sins were covered.
The Latin root sanctus means "holy." List three English words that come from this root:
1.
2.
3.
The Hebrew word for covenant (berith) comes from a root meaning "to cut." Why is this significant?
From the root meaning "straight, just." A righteous person walks the straight path of Torah.
From Latin integer = "whole, complete, untouched"
An integer in math is a "whole" number. Integrity means being "whole" - the same on the inside as outside.
From Latin humus = "earth, ground"
Related to "human" (made from the earth) and "humble" (low to the ground).
Moses was called the most humble (anav) man on earth (Numbers 12:3).
From Latin providens = "foreseeing" (pro- "before" + videre "to see")
Related to "provide" and "providence" - seeing ahead and preparing.
From Latin diligere = "to value highly, love" (dis- "apart" + legere "to choose")
A diligent person "chooses" their work carefully and values it highly.
| Word | Root Meaning |
|---|---|
| Integrity | |
| Humility | |
| Prudent | |
| Diligent |
Write a sentence using each word correctly:
Righteous:
Integrity:
How does knowing that "humility" comes from "humus" (earth/ground) connect to Genesis 2:7, where Adam was formed from the dust of the ground?
Unlocking Thousands of Words
Over 60% of English words come from Latin and Greek. Learning roots allows you to decode unfamiliar words!
Words from LOGOS:
Words from GRAPHO:
Words from THEOS:
Words from CHRONOS:
Words from KOSMOS:
Combine these roots to make words:
bio + logos = (meaning: )
geo + grapho = (meaning: )
mono + theos = (meaning: )
chronos + logos = (meaning: )
Using your knowledge of roots, what might these words mean?
Graphology (grapho + logos):
Cosmography (kosmos + grapho):
Theography (theos + grapho):
Why is it significant that Yahusha is called "the Logos" (Word) in John 1:1?
A prefix is added to the BEGINNING of a word to change its meaning. Master these, and you'll unlock thousands of words!
righteous → unrighteous | holy → unholy | faithful → unfaithful
mortal → immortal | perfect → imperfect | legal → illegal | reverent → irreverent
obey → disobey | honest → dishonest | believe → disbelieve
theist → atheist (without belief in God) | moral → amoral (without morals)
predestined | prepare | predict | prefix
postpone | postscript | post-flood
transform | transgress (step across boundaries) | translate
submit | subject | subordinate
monotheism | unity | universe | monologue
bilingual | divide | dilemma
trinity | triangle | triple
polytheism | multiply | multitude
Add the correct prefix to create the word with the given meaning:
___obedience (not obeying):
___mortal (not able to die):
___destined (decided before):
___gression (stepping across boundaries):
___theism (belief in many gods):
Irreverent (ir- + reverent):
Premonition (pre- + monition/warning):
Subordinate (sub- + ordinate/order):
Look up 1 John 3:4. The word "transgression" uses the prefix TRANS- (across). How does this prefix help explain what sin is?
Recognizing How Language Manipulates
Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44). Understanding words of deception helps you discern truth from falsehood.
From Latin propagare = "to spread, propagate"
Originally referred to spreading the faith; now typically refers to spreading ideas through manipulation.
From Latin doctrina = "teaching, instruction"
Originally neutral (to teach doctrine), now typically negative (to teach without questioning).
Greek eu = "good" + pheme = "speaking"
"Good speaking" - making bad things sound better.
Calling abortion "reproductive healthcare" is a euphemism that hides the reality of ending a life.
Calling Sabbath-keeping "legalism" is a euphemism that makes obedience sound negative.
Cognitive = relating to thinking (Latin cognoscere, "to know")
Dissonance = lack of harmony (Latin dissonare, "to disagree in sound")
From the 1944 film "Gaslight," where a husband manipulates his wife into believing she's going insane.
When someone says "Christians have always worshipped on Sunday" despite historical evidence otherwise, that's a form of gaslighting.
What harsh reality is being softened?
"Collateral damage" (in war):
"Passed away":
"Alternative facts":
Match each scenario to the vocabulary word:
1. A school teaches evolution as fact and discourages questioning:
2. Someone feels uncomfortable when shown Scripture that contradicts their church tradition:
3. News stations repeat the same narrative across all channels:
4. Someone tells you "That verse doesn't mean what you think it means" without explanation:
How does 1 Thessalonians 5:21 ("Prove all things; hold fast that which is good") protect against indoctrination?
Identify the Greek or Latin root and its meaning:
| Word | Root | Root Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Theology | ||
| Chronicle | ||
| Biography | ||
| Cosmos |
1. Covenant:
2. Propitiation:
3. Integrity:
4. Euphemism:
How does understanding word origins (etymology) help you understand Scripture more deeply?
TRUTH CARRIERS ACADEMY
Advanced Vocabulary Builder - Youth Edition
"The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple."
- Psalm 119:130