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

Ernest Klein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 10, 1987

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.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: Hebrew, English

Product Details

• Hardcover: 740 pages
• Publisher: Carta the Isreal Map & Pub Co Ltd (January 10, 1987)
• Language: English
• 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 (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #158,473 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > Education & Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > Foreign Language > Hebrew
  • #53 in Books > Education & Reference > Foreign Languages > Hebrew > Instruction

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 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.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Definitive and Scholarly Work, yet Approachable by All, April 30, 2001

By 

Eliyahu Skoczylas (Jerusalem, Israel) - See all my reviews

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

I cannot agree highly enough with other reviewers - this is THE dictionary for those who wish to study the Hebrew language or understand Hebrew works in depth. The awesome breadth of Dr. Klein's scholarship, mentioned by Amazon reviewers of his CEDEL - "Comprehensive Etymological Dictionary of the English Language" - is also reflected here in his tracing of the words back through so many tongues. Also, while not strictly needed in a work of Hebrew etymology, the CEDHLRE entries often include forward references, showing how the Hebrew words themselves became the roots of later languages, especially English; any lover of language will be charmed.

Also helpful to the lay student is that Dr. Klein assumes no other linguistics background. Unlike other etymologies such as Jastrow, only knowledge of the Hebrew and English alphabets is assumed, and references to languages such as Persian and Egyptian are given in English transliteration.

Finally, Dr. Klein was not afraid to let his personal charm show through in his writing. Throughout there are entries that include such phrases as "generally considered ... but I believe ...." or "I disagree with those who say ...." It is clear that the CEDHLRE is a personal work, the product of one scholar's love for his field.

My one complaint about this work is its unfortunate scarcity. While the CEDEL is fairly available (including here on Amazon) the CEDHLRE has been kept in undeserved obscurity. In my first copy, I luckily found early on that a folio had been misbound so that one set of pages appeared twice and the next was missing; I was able to replace it while the bookseller still had volumes in stock. But as my second copy became worn in my years at seminary, where it was a daily reference, I began looking to replace it. Sadly, I have retired that second copy but have been unable to find a third.

If you can find a copy, I urge you to either buy it yourself, or let me know about it. :-) Thanks.

29 of 31 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