The Cambridge Biblical Hebrew Workbook
Introductory Level

A comprehensive introductory workbook for students of Biblical Hebrew at colleges, seminaries and universities.

Nava Bergman (Author)

9780521826310, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 7 April 2005

392 pages
24.9 x 17.5 x 2.8 cm, 0.82 kg

'These text samples are well chosen, and are annotated with supplementary new vocabulary, and guidelines on how to make optimal use of them. The workbook contains a number of other user-friendly devices … Exploration of the layout and variety of exercises contained in this workbook shows that much care and practical experience has gone into the production of this excellent tool, and that the author has neither oversimplified nor unduly complicated the endeavour of learning Biblical Hebrew for beginning students. She has provided an excellent alternative approach, and enriched this with numerous practical exercises, which, if faithfully and systematically carried out, should produce a rich harvest.' Journal of Semitic Studies

This workbook can be used together with any elementary Biblical Hebrew grammar, by students at colleges, seminaries or universities. It applies many of the tools of modern language acquisition to make learning this classical language an active and inspiring process. Well-known Hebrew names are used as a pedagogical aid to memorising grammar and vocabulary. Original biblical texts are focused upon. The exercises are based on a stock of frequently used words which is gradually enlarged. The vocabulary and grammar learnt early on are regularly revised and reinforced in later exercises. The student is carefully guided through the exercises by means of boxed notes on key points. A key to the exercises is included. The translations provided follow the Hebrew text very closely. This workbook enables students to develop their understanding of the general systematic sound changes in Biblical Hebrew, progressively providing a stable foundation and deeper insight into the language.

1. Hebrew alphabet
Vowel signs and their pronunciation
2. Dissimilarity between sounds and spelling
Dagesh
Vowel letters
Silent Áleph
Diphthongs
Word stress
3. 'Long' and 'short' vowels
Vowel categories
Full and simple vowels
Transliteration of vowels
Shva
Supporting vowels for gutterals
Relationship between consonants and vowels
Verbless clause
Independent personal pronouns in singular
4. Syllable types
Consonant and vowel clusters
Syllable division
Qamets-/o/
Basic rule of vocalisation
5. Relationship between vowels and stress
Unchangeable and changeable vowels
Regular vowel change
Definite article
Adjectives and nouns: inflection of gender and number
Independent personal pronouns in plural
6. Special readings (Qere)
Inseparable prepositions
Usage of adjectives
Accent signs and pause
7. Word formation in general
Unchangeable and changeable consonants
Regular consonant change
Unchangeable and changeable root types
Inseparable prepositions followed by YHWH
8. Conjunction and Demonstrative pronouns
Noun types
Regular masculine nouns
Regular feminine nouns
Penultimate nouns
9. Twin-consonant nouns
Irregular nouns
Formation of nouns and adjectives
Vowel raising ('attenuation')
Existence/non-existence
Have/have not
Full and defective writing
10. Nouns: free and bound forms
Noun chains
Adjective-plus-noun chain
Quantifier 'kol'
11. Pronouns: attached forms
Prepositions and adverbs with 'singular' attached pronouns
Nouns in singular with attached pronouns
12. Prepositions with 'plural' attached pronouns
Nouns in plural with attached pronouns
Questions
Sound changes across word boundaries
More about sound changes in pause
13. Verb system
Perfect in general: form and meaning
(Qal, the G-stem) perfect: (unchangable verbs), verbs with gutturals, Áleph verbs, the irregular verb
Vowel lowering (Philippi's Law)
Verbal clause
14. Object marker
Direction marker
Verbal clause with variant word order
Verbal clause with an additional personal pronoun
Particles-as-intensifiers
Denoting immediate presence
15. Perfect: vav/yod (hollow) verbs, twin-consonant verbs, vav/yod verbs
Relative clauses
Usage of the verb 'be'
16. Imperfect in general: form and meaning
Imperfect (unchangeable verbs), verbs with gutturals, Áleph verbs, the irregular verbs
17. Imperative
Lengthened imperfect
Shortened imperfect
Negative commands and prohibitions
Particle-as-intensifier
18. Participles in general
Participles: form, usage and negation
Participles with tense markers
Conjunctions
19. Infinitives in general
Infinitives: form, usage and negation
Quotation marker
20. Verb chains
Inverting-vav
Usage of verb chains
Expression of purpose and result
Perfect with attached object pronouns
21. (The N-stem): form and meaning
Imperfect and imperative with attached object pronouns
22. (The D- and Dp-stems): form and meaning
23. (The HtD-stem): form and meaning
24. (The H- and Hp-stems): form and meaning
25. Imperfect: Áleph verbs
Imperfect, imperative and infinite: vav/yod verbs, nun verbs and vav/yod verbs
26. 'One another' (expression of reciprocity)
Verbs with two direct objects (double transitivity)
Time frame
Expression of wish
Adverbs and adverbial constructions
27. Imperfect vav/yod verbs and twin-consonant verbs
vav/yod verbs and twin consonant verbs
Oaths
28. Numerals
Denoting age
Conditional clauses
Four styles of Biblical prose: text samples
I. Narrative texts
II. Legal texts
III. Parables and proverbs
IV. Prophetic speeches
Appendix I. Hebrew via Hebrew names
Appendix II. Regular sound changes in Hebrew
Appendix III. Guide to grammatical terms
Hebrew-English vocabulary
English-Hebrew vocabulary
Key.

Subject Areas: Biblical studies & exegesis [HRCG]