The First Hebrew Primer
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Overview
The First Hebrew Primer is a simple, straightforward guide to Biblical Hebrew. Thirty lessons provide enough information and practice to enable you, with the aid of a Hebrew-English dictionary, to understand most biblical texts. The goal of the Primer is to teach students to read and understand Biblical Hebrew as quickly as possible; therefore, the lessons emphasize recognition and translation rather than memorization.
Top Highlights
“When ה comes at the end of a word and is not followed by a vowel, it is silent.” (Page 3)
“• The word אֵיןcan also be used to negate a Noun Sentence.” (Page 118)
“Nouns ending with the letter ת are usually feminine.” (Page 32)
“A Hebrew root is a set of letters—usually three—which expresses a general idea.” (Page 34)
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“The man is very great. הָאִישׁ גָּדוֹל מְאֹד. or גָּדוֹל הָאִישׁ מְאֹד” (Page 130) |
- Title: The First Hebrew Primer
- Authors: Ethelyn Simon, Irene Resnikoff, Linda Motzkin
- Edition: 3rd ed., completely rev.
- Publisher: EKS Publishing
- Print Publication Date: 1992
- Logos Release Date: 2006
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Hebrew language › Self-instruction
- ISBNs: 9780939144150, 0939144158
- Resource ID: LLS:FSTHBPRMWBK
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T00:07:58Z
Reviews
3 ratings
Susan Zulueta
2/22/2024
Michael Davis
6/25/2023
The First Hebrew Primer is a great place to start one's journey. I was introduced to Biblical Hebrew from the First Hebrew Primer by my Hebrew teacher in late 2006. As others have mentioned, the authors went out of their way to simplify the technical grammar to ease the learner's journey into the world of Biblical Hebrew. For those who have mined this textbook for all its worth, will find they are hungry for more. Though, growing beyond the First Hebrew Primer will require learning the standard grammatical terms. If you want more Biblical Hebrew, Logos is an amazing resource for it, and with grammars for almost any learning style. And, in addition to intermediate (2nd year) Hebrew, readings in Biblical Hebrew are waiting for you. Also, after finishing one grammar you can start another just to reinforce what you learned from a different perspective. After all, true learning is much like a child's curiosity melded with surprises, right? Recordings: At the end of each practice sentence there is an asterisk to click on. You will hear a recording of the sentence with the correct pronunciation. Though it is not of a native Israeli (Sabra). Answer Key: Logos sells it. "The First Hebrew Primer: Answer Book" I have both versions in the hard copy and in the Logos software program. The digital voice recordings are especially helpful for those unfamiliar with how to pronounce Hebrew. Though the emphasis on the syllable changes, the sound of the vowels remain mostly the same. Far easier than English for variability. The pronunciation, both textbook and recorded, is Sephardic, which is Modern Hebrew. I hope this encourages those who have been on the fence. It is a journey worth traveling. At the heart of learning Biblical Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek is not about learning grammar and vocabulary to read the Bible in the original languages, but to know the heart of the One who knows and loves us. Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Nathaniel McVay
4/22/2023
I'm nearly finished with the book, and I'm happy to see my progress through the last 8 months. The book doesn't use much technical jargon, like another review has stated, but it has been the perfect amount per chapter in my opinion. Other grammars often air on the side of giving too much information per chapter, making especially the self-taught student feel as if they are drowning in information. FHP has made learning the language accessible and, dare I say, easy. When I teach Hebrew this will be the grammar I use. Note: I do have Pratico and Van Pelt's Basics of Biblical Hebrew which I use for reference when I have a deeper question that FHP doesn't touch on. But those questions are not typically necessary for first-year Hebrew students.Logosed
7/10/2020
The approach to the Hebrew language in this grammar is exciting and will encourage those who find traditional approaches to learning classical languages alienating. The following points should be noted: - Ancient Hebrew is pronounced here exactly as it is in Modern Hebrew. - Precise rules for the formation of words with the article, words with prepositions, and words with the conjunction 'and' are only given in endnotes and even here, the detail is lacking. The student is expected to learn mostly by observation and repetition. My view is that rules make the process easier. The same could be said for the formation of plural nouns. - Traditional grammatical terms are avoided. So for example one finds things like "Noun Pairs" rather than Hebrew Construct Chain. - The work has tons of exercises, not all of which are based on the biblical text. Since the work does not rely on grammatical rules, one is forced to work though a lot of exercises to learn the rules.Genghis
9/29/2018
I have this. It's good for getting the student going quickly with lots of positive reinforcement through tangible progress over a relatively short time. It's not very technical (i.e. full of jargon) so it's easier to comprehend. Having it in Logos makes using it a lot more easier as its relatively easy to set up the Glossaries as separate tabs for extra quick accessibility.
