The Cambridge Biblical Hebrew Workbook: Introductory Level [Paperback]

Nava Bergman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521533694 | ISBN-13: 978-0521533690 | Publication Date: May 23, 2005

This workbook can be used together with any elementary Biblical Hebrew grammar. It applies many of the tools of modern language acquisition to make learning the classical language an active and inspiring process. Well-known Hebrew names are used as a pedagogical aid to memorizing grammar and vocabulary. Original Biblical texts are focused upon and the translations provided closely follow the Hebrew text. The workbook enables students to develop their understanding of systematic sound changes in Biblical Hebrew.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book is clearly the product of hard work, impressive creativity, and openness to rethinking how biblical Hebrew might best be taught. It will undoubtedly be a valuable resource, providing instructors with much needed material and ideas." - Frederick E. Greenspahn, Florida Atlantic University

Book Description

This workbook can be used together with any elementary Biblical Hebrew grammar. 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 and the translations provided follow the Hebrew text very closely. The workbook enables students to develop their understanding of the systematic sound changes in Biblical Hebrew, progressively providing a stable foundation and deeper insight into the language.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 392 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (May 23, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521533694
• ISBN-13: 978-0521533690
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,406,797 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Hebrew Workbook, February 6, 2007

By 

Jim (Manila) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cambridge Biblical Hebrew Workbook: Introductory Level (Paperback)

From browsing the Web, this workbook does not seem to have gotten the attention it deserves. I agree with the previous comment that this might not be suitable as an introduction to Hebrew grammar. That is because it gives basic information very concisely. The main strength, however, is that the explanations given are very clear. It may not use the same terminology as the standard grammars, but anyone who has gotten past any standard grammar will appreciate the quality of the exercises in this book. They are extensive and lead very well to retention. I'm in the next-to-the-last chapter and,so far, enjoying this book. Extreme attention is given to vocalization changes - a feature I haven't seen presented in such a simple fashion. My only complaint is that it doesn't open flat as a workbook should. Other than that, it is a worthwhile purchase.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars better for intermediate/review level than introductory, January 13, 2006

By 

bookology "bookology" (Studio City, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cambridge Biblical Hebrew Workbook: Introductory Level (Paperback)

Each chapter has a concise but very detailed overview of the topic followed by the exercises. Various exercises to recognize grammatical forms are followed by both hebrew to english and english to hebrew translation exercises.

This book is billed as working with "any introductory textbook," but in reality, it works with no textbook. But the authors do not provide chapter references for any of the standard intro textbooks, forcing students who may need more explanation to hunt on their own for appropriate chapters in other books. Furthermore, the topical reviews and exercises are quite difficult, often covering grammatical details and idioms not usually found in introductory textbooks. Nonetheless I give the book four stars because it makes a fine intermediate or review workbook.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best Hebrew book I have ever learnt from, November 13, 2008

By 

Ilona Manka, Silesia, Poland - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cambridge Biblical Hebrew Workbook: Introductory Level (Paperback)

I have tried to learn Biblical Hebrew from several books and unfortunatelly found the same drawbacks: too little explanations on the vowel change system and too few exercises. Nava Bergman's book is an answer to my prayers. Finally I can both understand why the vowel change in the ways they do and can master the grammatical material in several exercises. What is of equal importance for me - this is a book for self-students, as I am. That's bacause of the Key section. Another attraction is the fact that the learner reads original Bible sentences in the exercises instead of artificial examples. I also love the appendix: a small collection of Biblical main genres with facilitating notes.
All in all, I adore it.