Features of Going Deeper with Biblical Hebrew
Compatible with most first-year Hebrew grammars, this text offers second-year students a structured path into deeper study of the text of the Old Testament. Going Deeper with Biblical Hebrew covers intermediate grammatical topics while also providing real engagement with the Old Testament Scriptures.
In-depth chapters on the history of the Hebrew language and on textual criticism
Chapters covering intermediate grammatical topics, utilizing both modern linguistic methods and long-held approaches to the language
Extensive charts offer simple reference points for complex constructs
Opportunities for interpretation and exegesis modeled throughout, connecting students more deeply with the biblical text
End-of-chapter exercises drawn from the Old Testament:
Single-verse translations with parsing
English-to-Hebrew translations
Guided reading of a biblical passage with notes and vocabulary
Three extended Guided Lessons covering textual criticism, semantic analysis, and syntactic analysis
These lessons supplement the grammatical chapters with detailed descriptions, strategies, guidelines, and models of how to accomplish important exegetical tasks
Vocabulary list with all lexemes occurring in the Hebrew Bible forty times or more, for a total of 898 words
238 frequently-occurring lexemes (appearing 200 times or more)
660 remaining lexemes are separated into 90 wordlists, with suggestions for pacing memorization
Learning any language is no small task, not least one that sounds as unusual as Hebrew does to most English speakers’ ears. Going Deeper with Biblical Hebrew primarily aims to equip second-year grammar students of biblical Hebrew to read the Hebrew Scriptures. Using a variety of linguistic approaches, H. H. Hardy II and Matthew McAffee offer a comprehensive and up-to-date textbook for professors and students.
Learning any language is no small task, not least one that sounds as unusual as Hebrew does to most English speakers’ ears. Going Deeper with Biblical Hebrew primarily aims to equip second-year grammar students of biblical Hebrew to read the Hebrew Scriptures. Using a variety of linguistic approaches, H. H. Hardy II and Matthew McAffee offer a comprehensive and up-to-date textbook for professors and students.
“One of the main reasons Hebrew students fail to progress in long-term proficiency is due to the fact that the path from beginning Hebrew to using more advanced resources is largely uncharted and daunting. Going Deeper with Biblical Hebrew now provides students with a guided tour of the more advanced wonders of biblical Hebrew. The authors are to be commended for their excellent work, and students will be grateful for this tremendous resource as it ‘deepens’ their ability to read, study, and teach the Old Testament.”
Miles V. Van Pelt, Alan Hayes Belcher, Jr. Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Languages, and director, Summer Institute for Biblical Languages, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson
“Going Deeper with Biblical Hebrew combines traditional grammatical methods with the best of current cognitive linguistic approaches to illustrate, convincingly and repeatedly, how a deeper, more mature grasp of Hebrew grammar enriches our understanding of God’s Word. Through clear explanations and copious examples, Hardy and McAffee demonstrate in practical terms the relationship between grammar, exegesis, and application. If you have studied biblical Hebrew, get this book, and take your interpretive skills to the next level.”
Catherine L. McDowell, associate professor of Old Testament, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
“Rather than using the fully deductive or strictly inductive methods most often employed in a second year of instruction, Hardy and McAffee have successfully navigated to a mediating approach, giving us a pedagogically helpful textbook for the classroom. The volume can be used to good effect with intermediate students, but it also provides abundant and up-to-date discussion of many technical details that often seem baffling to students. This volume will immediately become a classic in the list of resources available to students of the Old Testament.”
Bill T. Arnold, Paul S. Amos Professor of Old Testament Interpretation, Asbury Theological Seminary
“This volume creatively embodies the transitional space between beginner grammars and advanced texts that sometimes relate frivolous minutiae. Hardy and McAffee have greatly served the academy and the church by producing a scholarly yet accessible resource for all those serious about going deeper with biblical Hebrew!”
Dominick S. Hernández, associate professor of Old Testament and Semitics, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University
“In Going Deeper, McAffee and Hardy have done a great service for the study of biblical Hebrew, combining solid research and thoughtful pedagogy. Finding a textbook that aids both teacher and student is a rare jewel, and this volume is a treasure trove—with grammar explanations, integrated translation exercises, vocabulary, and guided lessons on textual criticism, semantics, and syntactical analysis. In my teaching, this comprehensive resource will always be close at hand!”
Brian P. Gault, professor of Old Testament, Dallas Theological Seminary
