A Concise Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament [Hardcover]

William L. Holladay (Author, Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1972

This book is an up-to-date lexicon (dictionary) of modest price and scope for the student of biblical Hebrew and Aramaic. Until now, the English-speaking student of Hebrew has had to choose between expensive and complex large-scale lexicons or pocket-size glossaries that make no pretense of keeping abreast of current scholarship. This edition is ideal for the beginning to intermediate student of Biblical Hebrew, offering Hebrew words definitions needed to translate Old Testament passages. Hebrew words are arranged in Hebrew alphabetical order by root form. This lexicon does not use Strongs numbers. This edition is based on the first, second and third editions of Koehler-Baumgartner Lexicon in Veteris Testamenti Libros. Edited by William A. Holladay. Familiarity with Biblical Hebrew necessary.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (January 1972)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802834132
• ISBN-13: 978-0802834133
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,696 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #2 in Books > Education & Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > Foreign Language > Aramaic
  • #20 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Bible & Other Sacred Texts > Jewish Texts > Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)
  • #88 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

64 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Holladay: Get it, use it., April 15, 2000

By 

I. Gould (Cincinnati, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Concise Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (Hardcover)

This English abridgement of Koehler and Baumgartner's lexicon is perhaps the best reference tool Hebrew students will come across having such usefulness at a reasonable price. It is alphabetically organized and thus quicker than Brown-Driver-Briggs, but it also represents more current scholarship and better linguistic methodology. As well, it is a good size and the entries are generally well-organized. Even if you already have BDB, I would suggest getting Holladay because of the additional information on contextual usage and his more careful use of lexical data from cognate languages.

54 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I agree with Mr. Gould, January 12, 2002

By 

Shemayah Phillips - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Concise Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (Hardcover)

All the points Mr. Gould gave are exactly right. So I'll just try personal testimonial to sell you this tool. I have owned this book for 20 years, but whenever I see a used one in the bookstore I try to justify buying it again for my son or anyone. It is that useful.

I study the Hebrew of the Bible often, very often and for years, translating words and looking to get the right shade of meaning. Holladay is the first lexicon I reach for. I can literally straighten my elbow right now and pull it off my shelf of hundreds of books and dozens of Hebrew books and aids. This is because not only is all that was mentioned in the other review but it is compact and readable. Only then, after checking Holladay, do I turn to Gesenius, the others and the multivolumes.

If you are a student, a minister who has to keep looking up 'alma (give it up! ;-), or need a quick reminder of a word meaning, I can't believe you don't already have this book!!! Act like "somebody" and get this NOW.

Binding wise, I have to add, that this book has held up very well to constant use without its dustjacket. One minor casuality is the gold ink on the cover---it has faded some and looks more light green than gold. So what!? I should look so good after 20 years!

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Godsend, Literally!, April 23, 2002

By 

Timothy Dougal (Madison, Wi United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Concise Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (Hardcover)

First, I can really only second the other two reviewers'views on this lexicon. It is as convenient to use as a dictionary, (provided, of course, that you know Hebrew alphabetical order and enough Hebrew to recognize Qal stems of verbs), and quite a bit more informative. The book IS concise, containing just over 400 pages (as against the BDB's 1000+), proper names are listed but not defined, and all instances of every word are not cited. Rather, examples of each sense of the word are usually cited. There are errata listed at the beginning and end of the book. In short, this is very handy, and if you've gone beyond the need for Strong's numbers, and want up to date linguistic information, try this edition!