Ancient Hebrew- Independent guide

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1

salvete omnes!

I was wondering if anybody could possibly help me? I am need of a textbook of some sort that teaches ancient hebrew. It’s a present for a friend, and any advice would be greatly appreciated. I unfortunately have no knowledge of hebrew… but if anyone has taught themselves (or knows of someone who has) any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Or even if you could point me in the direction of a relevant website…

Cheers!

~Phil

Edit: Just thought I should make clear it’ll be for independent study, so if the best textbook in the world doesn’t have the answers (or an equivalent answer book) it’ll be less than useful :frowning:

2

Avoid “Biblical Hebrew - An Introductory Grammar”. It’s a nightmare.

Go for Weingreen “A practical Grammar of Ancient Hebrew”.

3

I would recommend Biblical Hebrew: A Text and Workbook (Yale Language Series). It has an answer key sold as a separate (overpriced) book: An Answer Key for Biblical Hebrew: A Supplement to the Text and Workbook (Yale Language Series). Weingreen is classic, but lacks the key and exercises are sometimes hard to understand without it.
I started my Hebrew using Weingreen, but I think it´s not a good choice for a self-study.
To puzzle you even more, pronounciation in these two books is different.

4

Really? I’m assuming you’re referring to Kelly’s book. I used that in my hebrew class and thought it was alright. I also started during the summer prior to the class so I did the first part independently and had no troubles. It does come with an answer key too.

but I haven’t tried any others. :slight_smile:

5

Many thanks for your help everyone. The Amazon reviews had suggested Biblical Hebrew: An Introductory Grammar was a bit iffy and you seem to have confirmed their reports

Thucy: I forgot to wish you good luck in your Oxford interview. You’ll be fine. Just remember the vast amounts you learnt at Bryanston and you’ll sail through :laughing: Good luck matey

6

I really dislike Weingreen…unfortunately my Hebrew prof loved it, it was my 1st year text. We used Gesenius’ Grammar in 2nd year Hebrew, and it was much closer to what a proper grammar should be…but it’s not a good introductory book, especially if your friend doesn’t have a linguistic background.

I have heard that Practico and Van Pelt’s Basics of Biblical Hebrew Grammar is supposed to be pretty good, but I haven’t worked from it (I have a friend who has).

7

Thanks Lucan.