Skip to main content

Review: The Story of Hebrew

There are (perhaps unsurprisingly) very few books on the history of the Hebrew language. Angel Sanez-Badillo's A History of the Hebrew Language was a seminal work in this area, but there remains little scholarship in Hebraic linguistics. But now, Lewis Gilnert's The Story of Hebrew (Princeton, 2017) fills this void and provides an accessible yet rich history of Hebrew. He probes a sweeping account of the language, from its origins in Genesis (in which he claims the first Hebrew words were spoken) to its revival in modern Israel.

From Aleph to Tav

Yet this book is more than a dry history of one language; rather, it examines the significance of the language to the people who spoke it. Gilnert, a respected Jewish scholar, traces its usage in Judaism and Christianity, how it served as a scholarly language in the Middle Ages, and how it was preserved carefully only to be revived by Zionists in the modern age. He explains how Hebrew was used in ancient prayer, and how it connects to modern worship.

This unique work of scholarship draws from the Hebrew Bible, archaeological sources (such as the Gezer Calendar and the Dead Sea Scrolls), and rabbinical texts to weave a narrative of how a tongue has shaped those who spoke it. Indeed, Hebrew is an inseparable part of Israel's heritage. For those interested in learning the fascinating history of this "living language," look no further. While some texts on linguistics are either oversimplified or too complex, Gilnert's book gracefully balances both rigor and readability. All of the Hebrew has been transliterated into English, so there is no need for learning Hebrew letters to learn about the language. It combines linguistics, history, sociology, and religious studies to create a truly magnificent and captivating testimony of a language. While this book may be written from a Israeli/Zionist perspective, it has little political charge and would be a welcome addition to the library of Jewish, Christian, and non-religious learners alike.

(My thanks is given to Princeton for providing a complimentary review copy in exchange for an honest review.)

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Product Review: LL Bean Extra-Large Rolling Adventure Duffle

Overview When adventure strikes, the right bag makes all the difference. Too often, however, luggage bags are either large, ponderous suitcases or small, flimsy duffle bags. I have traveled to Central and South America multiple times with terribly large suitcases. It added extra complication to my trip—especially lugging the bag up the steps! This is the problem which LL Bean seeks to rectify in the LL Bean Extra-Large Rolling Adventure Duffle. With a 137-liter capacity, this duffel is able to hold the items of the biggest pack-rat while being easy to transport. It features a telescoping handle, smooth-gliding wheels, and cinch straps. Specifications Capacity: Approx. 8,350 cu. in., 137 L.  Weight: 9 lb. 3 oz.  Dimensions: 17"H x 34"W x 15"D.  Highlights This bag is sturdy. Not only is it capable of holding many items, but it is incredibly durable. It has a reinforced nylon bottom and a thick plastic frame so that the bag does not sag or become weak....

Review: NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible

A revised version of the previously published NIV Zondervan Study Bible,  the NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible  (Zondervan, 2018) represents the best of biblical scholarship in a compact study Bible. It introduces Biblical Theology (BT), a discipline that is intended for readers to weave individual books and stories into a larger metanarrative that reveals God's redemptive plan through the entire Bible. To that end, this study Bible includes articles introducing BT and articles on theological matters. While the emphasis of this Bible may appeal to a more Reformed/covenantal audience, the contributors span a variety of theological traditions and are respected authorities within their discipline. The verse-by-verse notes—over 20,000—are insightful and suitable for determining the historical, literary, and cultural background of the text with a view to responsible interpretation of Scripture. There are in-text cross references, a concordance, maps, and useful charts. Each bo...

Review: Advances in the Study of Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic

In Advances in the Study of Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic (Zondervan Academic, 2020), Benjamin Noonan seeks to fill the gaps in recent scholarship in biblical languages. After briefly conducting a sweeping historical survey of linguistics and Hebrew and Aramaic studies, Noonan describes eight pertinent areas of advancement in Hebrew/Aramaic language scholarship: lexicology, stems, tense/aspect/mood, discourse analysis, word order, register/dialect, dating texts, and teaching biblical languages. Each of these topics represents a germane area of biblical Hebrew and Aramaic linguistic scholarship. Each chapter includes an introduction to the topic, a chronological and/or topical survey of representative thinkers and ideas, and a discussion of “the way forward.” Noonan’s text is an important reference for students of biblical languages, particularly those who will be conducting researching in Old Testament studies. Graduate and doctoral students will find an accessible bibliography of p...