Hebrew Grammar recommendation

[Ben Spackman]

I'm looking for a Hebrew grammar to use, to teach an Intro class, under the following constraints.

1) Meet once/week for 45 minutes max.
2) Most know another language besides English, but no one has any familiarity with Semitic.
3) Needs to be relatively cheap, under $30.

I'm teaching a group of graduate students some basics of Hebrew, over 4 months, but it's off the books, so to speak. They're smart, but we can't meet extensively, and most people can't afford anything over $30 or so.

Due to the time limitations (which are imposed externally), I'm hoping for something that is very clear, not too complicated, so they can do a lot on their own, come to class and I can clarify anything they don't grasp on their own. I've used Basics of Biblical Hebrew, and though I have some issues with it, it fits the bill.

Does anyone who's used them have any comments on how Seow, or have other recommendations?

While I have low expectations due to the limitations, I would like to see them capable of a) reading and pronouncing b) knowing how to identify a word and look it up in the standard dictionaries, etc. Basic tools, but a good bit beyond Strongs (which I really wish someone would update the glosses for.)

[WBryant]

I have used Seow. It is intense for those not interestec in Semitic languages.
I think the Kelly Grammar (and companion) offers an accurate foundation for those who want to read the Hebrew Bible and be ready to advance in Semitic language studies. It is a grammar which can be worked through independently. It is realitvely inexpensive.

[David Kummerow]

My opinion would be to try the one here:

http://individual.utoronto.ca/holmstedt/Textbook.html

The students will like the price -- currently free!

It is the most linguistically up-to-date introductory grammar of BH, even if one doesn't agree with everything. Pedagogy is good, examples and exercises basically straight from the Hebrew Bible.

Regards,
David Kummerow.

[Ben Spackman]

Ah thanks. After I look-over, I think I'll go with the free one.

[SCSaunders]

My opinion would be to try the one here:

http://individual.utoronto.ca/holmstedt/Textbook.html

The students will like the price -- currently free!

It is the most linguistically up-to-date introductory grammar of BH, even if one doesn't agree with everything. Pedagogy is good, examples and exercises basically straight from the Hebrew Bible.

Regards,
David Kummerow.

I like this. Clear. Concise. Creative Exercises. Good "wholistic" textual approach in the final chapters. Stuff "readers" need to think about - IMO. I think this book will do very well.

I went back and looked at this again, because I'm lining up another introductory grammar now, for when the RHB comes. I personally get a lot of going through introductory grammars. They keep me on my toes and tend to help me the most for my primary goal - Reading.



Sometimes I have to log out of BW7, when trying to read. It's too easy, too tempting and too fascinating to go from one hyper link to the next, to the next and to the next. Before you know it, four days have gone by and your still only nuancing one aspect of one word in a very wordy section. There's a season for everything, so there nothing wrong with that in an of itself - unless your goal is simply to read.

I loved the stuff in chapter 25. Gave me some quick thinking diagnostics when reading. Stuff to help me mentally parse and move on. Good!
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I found this document to be helpful. Got it from an Camtasia Demo.


Short. Sweet. Helps to as degree. Simple.
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If the book isn't done, for test regurgitation reasons as well as reading reasons, I found the pneumonic out of Juoun helpful ...

#Pen;m.K; kamnappeƒ "like the one who shatters."

Food for thought.

Anyway, when my RHB gets arrives in May - this is the grammar I'm going to review and sharpen my fundamentals with.

Thanks for the link. I'm the better for it.

[David Kummerow]

Good to hear that it's useful!

Regards,
David.