An Introduction to Classical Hebrew

This useful grammar introduces undergraduate and graduate students to the essentials of classical Hebrew. The author first establishes a foundation for study with descriptions of the basics of the Hebrew writing system, often an initial stumbling block for students, and discusses both historical and modern Israeli pronunciations. He moves on to morphology and syntax, and describes the simple and regular elements of the language and then proceeds to the complex and irregular elements. Through the lessons outlined in the text, the reader will translate the book of Ruth, as well as other biblical and nonbiblical texts, to learn skills in reading both the entire Hebrew Bible and the later sixth-century Hebrew material, such as the Lachish Letter. Study of this later material will provide the student with an introduction to Hebrew poetry and inscriptions. Accomplished students of this text will be prepared to progress to advanced study of Hebrew grammar and exegesis of the Hebrew Bible.