A Comprehensive Etymological Dictionary of the Hebrew Language for Readers of English (Hebrew Edition) (Hardcover)

by Klein Ernest (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A clear and concise work on the origins of the Hebrew words and their sense development. Each of the c. 32,000 entries is first given in its Hebrew form, then translated into English and analysed etymologically, using Latin transcription for all non-Latin scripts. An indispensable source of biblical, Jewish, modern Hebrew and Near Eastern studies.

Language Notes
Text: Hebrew, English

Product Details

• Hardcover: 740 pages
• Publisher: Eisenbrauns (January 1987)
• Language: Hebrew
• ISBN-10: 965220093X
• ISBN-13: 978-9652200938
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 7.6 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #503,669 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WONDERFUL BOOK -- MOST WORTHWHILE TO TRY TO FIND IT, June 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Comprehensive Etymological Dictionary of the Hebrew Language for Readers of English (Hardcover)

It's a pity that this book is out of print because it is an invaluable tool for speakers of English who are studying Hebrew. The entries are arranged alphabetically in Hebrew, but the description for each entry is written in English, and the words derived from each root are included. I have found copies of the book available using out-of-print book searches, and I would recommend to anyone interested in knowing Hebrew in depth to take a few minutes to register with an out-of-print search facility to get a copy.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Klein's - Hebrew Etymological Dictionary, January 9, 2001

By	Mr. Gary Dykes (Visalia, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Comprehensive Etymological Dictionary of the Hebrew Language for Readers of English (Hardcover)

The work referred to herein is the 1987 MacMillan publication. It has 721 pages (+ xix), printed 3 columns to the page, the volume is sturdy and is smyth sewn. A fine work, physically.

The work is done by one man, and thus has a consistent flavor. The definitions are brief, usually prefaced with the gender and number of the term. The words reflect various periods of the Hebrew language: Biblical Hebrew to New Hebrew (with loan words). Though his definitions and etymologies are brief, they often put to shame much more expensive dictionaries.

Klein is an expert in this field, and this volume is VERY useful for the accurate study of Hebrew. I do wish that the basic Hebrew font could have been a little clearer, and that the other languages could have been written in their native scripts (transliterations are used). The price varies from 50 to 100 dollars, but get it if you can, at any price it is a bargain!! Gary S. Dykes

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars as it is written--ka-katuv, December 4, 2000

By	pamela coyle (Charleston, SC, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Comprehensive Etymological Dictionary of the Hebrew Language for Readers of English (Hardcover)

when i began studying in preparation for conversion to reform Judaism, i wanted to learn what the Hebrew words meant that i was saying in the prayers. i looked for a book of word-by-word translation, but there was none. so i started studying Hebrew and i saw references to Rabbi Klein's etymologic dictionary. i checked with b&n and found it was out of print. then i checked with the local used bookstore, and they had a copy on the shelf--(which i bought)---it took me a year to find another one by book-search. this book has been the source of 90% of the work that i have just finished after 3 years of work. since this dictionary goes to the derivation of the Hebrew word, it is more in line with the original meaning in most of the prayers and psalms. i wish it would be reprinted. the most awesome thing is Rabbi Klein himself, who had a Ph.D. from the University of Vienna, and then was put into Auschwitz. He was almost the only one of his family to survive. It helps one realize the terrible waste of knowledge and potential in the human life which was lost in the Holocaust. The connections of one word with others which Klein explains in this book make the study of Hebrew even more interesting. Pamela Coyle, M.D.