Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax

by Bruce K. Waltke, Michael Patrick O'Connor

Meeting the need for a textbook for classroom use after first year Hebrew grammar, Waltke and O’Connor integrate the results of modern linguistic study of Hebrew and years of experience teaching the subject in this book. In addition to functioning as a teaching grammar, this work will also be widely used for reference and self-guided instruction in Hebrew beyond the first formal year. Extensive discussion and explanation of grammatical points help to sort out points blurred in introductory books. More than 3,500 Biblical Hebrew examples illustrate the points of grammar under discussion. Four indexes (Scripture, Authorities cited, Hebrew words, and Topics) provide ready access to the vast array of information found in the 40 chapters. Destined to become a classic work, this long-awaited book fills a major gap among modern publications on Biblical Hebrew.

Genres: Reference, Language, Old Testament, Nonfiction

784 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Bruce K. Waltke is Distinguished Professor of Old Testament at Knox Theological Seminary, Fort Lauderdale, and professor emeritus of biblical studies at Regent College, Vancouver.

Reviews

[Kirk Lowery · Rating 4 out of 5]

A monumental work; an essential reference, especially in its exhaustive coverage of the secondary literature. It is also a monument to 19th century linguistics and theories of language, informed but not influenced by 20th century developments in linguistics. Their explicit refusal to deal with text linguistics is an understandable need to limit scope, but separates it from being a truly 20th century syntax. Text linguistics provides explanation and motivation for syntactic features and structures and they choose to set it aside! One final critique: they often explain Hebrew syntax via English syntax instead of *mapping* Hebrew to English. So Hebrew syntax and semantics becomes English in code.

Having said all that, I use it nearly every day....

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

PSA. This is not an introduction.

[Marcus Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Biblical Hebrew reference grammar comes from a structuralist linguistic approach to Hebrew, which ignores Comparative Philology and recent linguistic approaches such as Discourse analysis. A good blend of different linguistic approaches is preferred because sticking to one to the exclusion of others causes problems to arise. Additionally, I wish the formatting were better. This looks pretty encyclopedic, which I know is a reference grammar, but it can be improved. Lastly, I like how expansive the authors are in various aspects of Biblical Hebrew syntax. I would recommend this book, viewing it as one tool in a toolbox, to be used with other tools that can cover gaps, such as different linguistic approaches to strengthen the Hebrew student's or teacher's overall understanding.

[Felicity Chen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why was this so interesting ahhh. With titles like “number” “nouns” “gender” I was like oh yeah this is gonna be super basic stuff I already know! I was wrong 🤣 I loved all the examples it provided and when it would trace the historic development of certain elements (like older remnants of the theorized case system). I was trying to speed through but it was too interesting 😆 all the same, did it have to be over 600 pages lollll.

[S Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclaimer: I have not read every page, but this is a great resource. I especially use it for sermon prep as the Scripture index in the back is very robust.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read through most of this in a class on advanced Hebrew grammar. This is certainly a book that belongs on the shelf of any student of Hebrew. There is an immense amount of information--the student will find most grammatical questions addressed somewhere in this volume. My only complaint is that it's not nearly as user-friendly as it could be. It could be much better organized.

[Andy]

0343

[Jerome · Rating 5 out of 5]

overly detailed, but very helpful

[Samuel Guzman · Rating 3 out of 5]

historico

[Guillaume Bourin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear and accessible. Of course, it is not as comprehensive as the Joüon-Muraoka volume, but this is a good syntax for advanced Hebrew student

[Maer]

Hebrew