Invitation to Biblical Hebrew: A Beginning Grammar (Invitation to Theological Studies Series) (Hardcover)

by Russell Fuller (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Fuller's method is the best there is. He combines reading a chapter, watching someone explain the concept on DVD, and physically doing exercises out of a workbook (or on a whiteboard in a classroom). If you want to learn Hebrew and your don't have access to a schoolobuy the book, workbook, DVDs and get studying. If you're teaching a class, integrate this into your semester, your students will thank you. You might ask how I know this works. Well, I was one of Fuller's students and now I'm doing a PhD in Semitic languages so it must have worked for me. (P.S. And no, he hasn't paid me to say these things. I say it because I want to help you learn Hebrew and/or be the best teacher possible.)" (Charles Halton awilum.com )

"If you have a desire to learn Hebrew, let me encourage you to purchase this grammar, along with the workbook and DVDs. Utilizing the deductive approach, the authors instruct you in a concept and then turn you loose to practice it through pages of drills and exercises. As long as you master each chapter before going onto the next, you can work your way into a solid understanding of the grammar and syntax of biblical Hebrew." (Scott Lamb The Pathway )

"In my opinion this is the best grammar availableoit teaches the fundamentals of morphology better than any other grammar that I have seen. He goes back to a reconstructed proto-Hebrew and then gives the strong verb and the "weak" verbs and shows the derivational patterns that stem from proto-Hebrew. Very pedagogically focused as well." (Charles Halton blogspot.com )

Product Description
A tested approach to learning biblical Hebrew in an ideal package for the first-year Hebrew student. This clear, accurate, and pedagogically sound textbook emphasizes the basics: Hebrew phonology (sounds) and morphology (forms). This grammar does not use jargon or technical language, but uses terms easily understood and remembered so biblical Hebrew can be used with regularity and authority.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Publications (April 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825426502
• ISBN-13: 978-0825426506
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #149,641 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Well... not what i expected, March 7, 2007

By	Stanislao Esposito "Father Stanislao" (Delaware, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

When i saw the combination of textbook, workbook and DVDs I jumped to the opportunity and I got the whole set. The Textbook is very well organized and the layout is very clear. However, it is just a set of rules and the exercises in it barely sustain the lesson. The workbook is organized in a bit more confusing way - drills, exercises and the answer keys.

The DVDs are totally disappointing. He reads from the book basically (he actually has the pages of the book on his desk) . He says pretty much whatever he has written in the book. There are a lot of "huhs," and "whatever," or "something like that." Just as with the books, he just goes through one rule after another. Sometimes, especially at the beginning, in phonology (when i was learning to read Hebrew,) he would write the word, give you all you need to know (and more) about silent sheva and vocal sheva and will NOT read the word. I was left wondering about the pronounciation.

I have it 3 stars because the grammar, in itself, is a great reference book to keep on my shelf. The teaching method, well... needs some major editing.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Most Effective Way to Teach Biblical Hebrew, July 7, 2006

By	Charles Halton "awilum.com" (Cincinnati, Ohio) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I know what you're thinking-not another Hebrew grammar! I feel you. I groan every time I see a new one. I bet there have been at least 4 or 5 new Hebrew grammars published in the last 6 months. So, what makes this one different from all the others gathering dust on the shelves? Fuller approaches teaching biblical Hebrew like Coach Wooden approached teaching championship basketball. If you want to learn a language-you need to know the fundamentals-and you need to know them well. If you get the fundamentals in place, the rest will follow.

Fuller's method is the best there is. He combines watching a lecture in which he explains the chapter on a DVD, reading the chapter, and physically doing excercises out of a workbook (or on a whiteboard in a classroom). Furthermore, he reveals the reasons why language structures are the way they are, instead of throwing reams of paper at you to just memorize thousands of word patterns. If you want to learn Hebrew and you don't have access to a school-buy the book, workbook, DVDs and get studying. If you're teaching a class, integrate this into your semester, your students will thank you because they will come way with a deep knowledge of the language. Then, with a little practice, reading the Bible in Hebrew will be relatively easy.

You might ask how I know this works. Well, I was one of Fuller's students and now I'm doing a PhD in Semitic languages so it must have worked for me. (P.S. And no, he hasn't paid me to say these things. I say it because I want to help you learn Hebrew and/or be the best teacher possible.)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fuller's System Works, December 14, 2007

By	Wooster - See all my reviews

Does it help a person learn Hebrew? That's the highest measure of a Hebrew grammar. Fuller and Choi's textbook passes that test with flying colors ... for those who are willing to work hard. The textbook focuses on the fundamentals and the workbook provides constant practice. For diligent, motivated students, the repetition in the exercises will give ample opportunity to sharpen skills that when mastered will make reading the Hebrew Bible fun. I took Dr. Fuller's class. That's when I really learned Hebrew. I know his system works, because it worked for me. I'm excited that now I have a textbook to use for reviewing what I've learned and helping others read Hebrew. Caution: Lazy students will not find this grammar helpful.