B-Hebrew: The Biblical Hebrew Forum

its been a while!

I just got a new textbook that is, not sure how to describe it properly... easier and kinder in explanation than lets say lambdin..
for these past months Ive been doing most of the chapters from it, (with only the remaining weak verbs that I have to digest slowly) and It gives me a new horizon of the biblical hebrew as a new language that I failed to perceive before..

what surprise me is that the binyanim systems is very interesting, as Hebrew is the first Semitic language I finally get hold of, even though currently at infant level

but now my question is, after the completion of the basics, how should one continues his studies? which one is the easiest portion of the hebrew bible for beginner?
for someone that do not wish to engage in exegesis (I am more into history and linguistics), do we need an intermediate grammar like syntax textbook?

best wishes for all!

Hi, Sophronios!

Well, what introductory book are you using?

If you're using Learning Biblical Hebrew by Kutz and Josberger, then it has an intermediate reader built right into the workbook.

The great deal is that once you've completed a grammar, your goal is to start reading. Therefore, I would suggest that you get a reader's edition of the Hebrew Bible.

BHS Reader: https://www.amazon.com/Biblia-Hebraica- ... 1598563424
Zondervan Reader: https://www.amazon.com/Readers-Hebrew-G ... 0310109930

If you'd actually like an intermediate graded reader, you could start with the one from Zondervan: https://www.amazon.com/Graded-Reader-Bi ... 0310251575

Cook and Holmstedt have a great intermediate grammar and reader: https://www.amazon.com/Intermediate-Bib ... 0801097622

The real goal is that you get into reading. It's best that you read ALOUD. Nowadays, lots of people are meeting on Skype and Zoom to read entire chapters of the Bible together. Jonathan Beck and I just read through Nehemiah, and we started reading Judges together this week (just met for the second time for an hour of spoken Hebrew and to read Judges chapter 2).

That's really the direction that I'd go. Find someone to join in reading the text aloud... someone who knows Hebrew better than you and has lots of experience reading the text. Get together on some kind of video chat software, and read the Bible.

Good luck in your studies! I hope you come to love Hebrew with a passion.

Jason

HI Jason!
I'm using Routledge biblical Hebrew by Lily Khan... wonderful explanation and stories that makes learning process smoother
yeah I already owned the zondervan readers bible..thinking to open it soon

what do you think about : https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Biblical-H ... 0521533481
is it useful for beginner level?

online learning sounds interesting!

No, I wouldn't turn to that for beginning levels. I would remark that it's already in its second edition (https://amzn.com/1107434963), so that would be preferable if you're going to buy the book. What you're looking at there will not have exercises or translation drills or portions to read (in Hebrew). It is a syntax book, designed to be used as a reference. It could be broken up by a teacher and turned into something useful in a classroom setting, but it isn't good for self-study.

That's the grammar I recommended to Jason to substitue for Waltke. He was one of my professors. Yeah, it's really not suitable for first year, or maybe even second year (depending on if you're in college or seminary). Really, unless you want to get books with more practice, my suggestion would be to read. But if you haven't already, you should finish your grammar first. I'm not familiar with Kahn.

Good luck! Let us know if you have any more questions.

Jonathan