how to say “from the beginning” in Hebrew
[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/מההתחלה-1.m4a” /]מֵהַהַתְחָלָה
The opening word of the Book of Genesis is בראשית[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/מההתחלה-2.m4a” /] – in the beginning. But ראשית[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/מההתחלה-3.m4a” /] is not the common word for beginning – in fact, commentators scratch their heads as to why this word is used here in this form (it means literally beginning of), generating all sorts of interpretations.
In any case, the common Hebrew word for beginning is התחלה[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/מההתחלה-4.m4a” /], as להתחיל[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/מההתחלה-5.m4a” /] (an active-causative verb) means to begin or to start.
And from the beginning is מההתחלה[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/מההתחלה-1.m4a” /]. So that if your friend, all worked up, tells you a story with twists and turns and so many details your head starts spinning, you might say:
[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/מההתחלה-6.m4a” /]רגע, רגע. מההתחלה.
Wait, wait (a moment, a moment). From the beginning.
