(See larger photo)

Product Description

Linguistics expert and long-time educator Hackett offers a robust introduction to biblical Hebrew grammar and the Masoretic text. The graded exercises from Hebrew to English are intended to introduce the student to the many possibilities of biblical Hebrew prose. Later lessons include texts taken from the Masoretic text of the Old Testament with footnotes to explain unusual or advanced formations. Classroom tested and suitable for self-study as well, this quick-moving one-semester course (30 lessons) features clear, readable explanations, exercises, and examples that provide students with an effective foundation in original language usage. This textbook is also suitable for an entire first-year’s study of Biblical Hebrew conducted at a slower pace.

Course work includes an overview of the history of the Hebrew Bible; deductive lessons on recognition, drawing, and pronunciation of consonants and vowels; memorization and recitation of the alphabet; and proper spelling of words; as well inductive experience in translating biblical passages.

The accompanying CD includes:
AUDIO FILES
• Vocabulary lists for each of the 30 chapters
• Hebrew-to-English portions of exercises for all chapters
• Major paradigms for the whole book (nouns, pronouns, verbs in all their various
stems)
• A reading of Genesis 22:1-19 (Appendix C)

TEXT FILES
• Vocabulary lists
• Printable Hebrew-to-English exercises
• Appendix A: Consonants of Biblical Hebrew
• Appendix B: Vowels of Biblical Hebrew
• Appendix C: Genesis 22:1-19 (conversationally paced reading) • Appendix D: Chart and flow sheet for finding the root of weak verbs
• Verbal paradigms
• Complete answer key for English-to-Hebrew and Hebrew-to English exercises

Excellent textbook for students who wish to progress beyond using simple reference works and ideal for those who wish to read the Hebrew Bible deeply, widely, and accurately, as well as for any who wish to pursue advanced studies in the Hebrew Scriptures.

Reviews

"This book, of thirty chapters, is meant for a semester’s study. The author studied at Harvard and has been teaching biblical Hebrew for over thirty years. She has made some pedagogical choices. The Hebrew alphabet is gradually introduced through lessons one to five. The strong verbs are dealt with in all their forms before the weak verbs are introduced. The terms 'perfect' and 'imperfect' do not appear, rather the 'suffix conjugation' and 'prefix conjugation,' the latter being dealt with first. Converted perfect or waw-consecutive is renamed 'consecutive preterite.' Paradigms follow the English order from first person to third person. Answers to the exercises are contained in the accompanying CD, which also includes the pronunciation of the Hebrew-to-English exercises in lessons 1–15 and in Gen 22:1-19. Visual effect is used to advantage in Appendix H (Verbal Paradigms) by indicating in blue the forms added to the root. No excerpts from the biblical text itself are given; however, a second volume (in preparation) will contain graded readings of biblical passages."
—The Bible in Review

"Hackett (Middle Eastern Studies at the U. of Texas, Austin) presents this Biblical Hebrew introductory textbook designed for classroom use. The text is divided into 30 lessons starting with the very basics such as the Hebrew alphabet. Vocabulary and grammar exercises are included in each lesson as well as a guide to reference works. Included with this textbook is a CD containing quiz answers, pronunciation guides, and readings of reference works such the Old Testament. This text is intended for use in a one-semester college course on Biblical Hebrew, but would also serve a self-motivated Hebrew learner well."
—Book News, Inc.

“With this volume, Jo Ann Hackett joins a growing list of contributors who have recently published introductory grammars for Biblical Hebrew (BH). Her high level of scholarship in the field and extensive experience at both the college and graduate levels are clearly evident here. The text of the book is logical and clear; its layout is clean with a moderate amount of white space and very readable fonts. There are no illustrations but most verbal paradigms at the end use some color to emphasize features helpful to remember (see Appendix H). The CD contains an extensive number of PDF files with embedded audio clips of Hackett and John Huehnergard pronouncing Hebrew words and also some longer items. David Levenson reads Genesis 22:1-19. The inclusion of both a male and female voice is most welcome. The files are easy to use and the audio quality is clear. They should be of gTeat help to beginning students, though some teachers will find the readings unnaturally slow and over-pronounced. The audio-enhanced PDFs cover exercises for about half the book, vocabulary words, paradigms, and the main reading from Genesis. The others files on the CD contain printable material from the appendices and a full answer key to the exercises (wisely separated from the bound volume). . . . At this point in the review it should be clear that Hackett's Basic Introduction is a respectable and substantive addition to the field of introductory grammars. It is a good example of a common North American academic approach to learning BH and is neither sectarian nor idiosyncratic. I have found Hebrew instructors as a whole to be an innovative and resourceful lot. For them, this grammar provides a solid and flexible core with which to work. Suitable for use in a wide range of undergraduate and graduate classes, it should fit well in the curricula of mainstream Hebrew instruction.”
—JETS

“A direct hands-on approach characterizes Jo Ann Hackett's introduction to basic biblical Hebrew. In 30 lessons, the basics of biblical Hebrew lexicography, morphology, and phonology are presented in the traditional textbook format: grammar, readings, vocabulary, and translation exercises. Following the introductory chapter on the hi story and linguistic setting of biblical Hebrew, and several chapters on Hebrew orthography, consonant, vowel, and syllabication, Hackett (University of Texas at Austin) focuses on facets of the Hebrew substantive, verbs, and syntax in general. Her chapters, terse paragraphs accompanied by tables, charts, and information boxes, discuss the state of the noun (simple, definite, and construct), adjective (predicate and attributive), pronouns (subject, possessive, direct, indirect, and demonstrative), prepositions, interrogatives, and waw conjunction. Similarly, verbal terminology, and the conjugational patterns, stems, forms, and tenses of the Hebrew verb are analyzed. Appendixes include Hebrew-English, English-Hebrew word lists; the reading of the Aqudah (Genes is 22: 1-19); and Hebrew verbal paradigms. This is not a semester text (contra publisher's claim) due to the necessity of more repetitive classroom exercises to deal with the obtrusive nature of content and diachronic readings. The CD-ROM provides assistance in Hebrew phonology, reading, and answers to the exercises. This work is highly recommended.”
—ARBA Online

Jo Ann Hackett, for many years Professor of the Practice of Biblical Hebrew and Northwest Semitic Epigraphy at Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, is professor of Middle Eastern Studies at UT–Austin. She is the author of numerous monographs, including The Balaam Text from Tell Deir Alla; and has contributed to The HarperCollins Study Bible and The Oxford History of the Biblical World. Hackett is esteemed by her students for her ability to train them in both the fundamentals and intricacies of original language usage.

Explore This Book

The above links require the Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have the reader, click on the 'Get Acrobat Reader' button to obtain it.