A Social History of Hebrew: Its Origins Through the Rabbinic Period

The Anchor Yale Bible Reference Library

by William M. Schniedewind

More than simply a method of communication shared by a common people, the Hebrew language was always an integral part of the Jewish cultural system and, as such, tightly interwoven into the lives of the prophets, poets, scribes, and priests who used it. In this unique social history, William Schniedewind examines classical Hebrew from its origins in the second millennium BCE until the Rabbinic period, when the principles of Judaism as we know it today were formulated, to view the story of the Israelites through the lens of their language.
Considering classical Hebrew from the standpoint of a writing system as opposed to vernacular speech, Schniedewind demonstrates how the Israelites’ long history of migration, war, exile, and other momentous events is reflected in Hebrew’s linguistic evolution. An excellent addition to the fields of biblical and Middle Eastern studies, this fascinating work brings linguistics and social history together for the first time to explore an ancient culture.

Genres: Judaica, Old Testament, Biblical Studies, Language, History

261 pages, Hardcover

First published December 10, 2013

Reviews

[Luke Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating history of the Hebrew language from its origins to its demise as a vernacular language following the Bar Kokhba Revolt (only to be revived as a vernacular language in the 20th century). Schniedewind’s approach is a sociolinguistic one, which analyzes “the relationship between language and society” (15). As a result, even though this is a history of a language, it is just as much the history of a people (ancient Judeans/Israelites) and a place (ancient Israel/Canaan).

This was my first time interacting with Schniedewind’s work and with the field of sociolinguistics, and I am now officially hooked. I especially loved his chapter on the “democratization” of the Hebrew language in the 7th and early 6th centuries. Anyone interested in Hebrew and especially those with a few semesters of Hebrew under their belts should read this book.

[Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sociolinguistic study of ancient Hebrew that doesn't expect the reader to have specialized knowledge in the field. Extremely informative and interesting. I can't necessarily agree with every one of Schniedewind's conclusions, but he makes a compelling case for everything he argues.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was everything I wanted it to be.

[Logan Oviatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wingert, if you're reading this, it's good to be part of your pedagogy.

[Mike Reno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any student of Hebrew, Jewish history, or biblical history will find treasure in this book.

This book was a delight to read as a seminary student who is often confronted with assigned textbooks that are useful but hard to read enjoyably. This book is different. It reads smoothly, the flow presented through history is understandable, and yet it is an excellent resource for advanced study. Knowledge of Biblical Hebrew enhances the reading experience, but is not necessary at all to gain greater depth of understanding of its history, especially in how it became the core structure of modern Judaism.

[Guillaume Bourin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of the social context(s) of Biblical Hebrew