HB 2202: Beginning Biblical Hebrew II

Course Description

The natural continuation of HB 2201, this course is for those who wish to have a complete introduction to the basics of biblical Hebrew. Students will progress through encounters with less regular paradigms and more complicated syntax, building confidence as they master select readings from Genesis. The goal of the full course series, in two parts, is a proficiency in the rudiments of Hebrew that is sufficient for the independent reading of biblical books.

  • Prerequisites: HB 2201.
  • Requirements: Daily assignments and in-class work, periodic quizzes, one or two longer interpretive exercises or exams.
  • Syllabus: Pending.

Required Texts (Winter 2025)*

BHS
Karl Elliger and Willhelm Rudulph, eds. Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1997. ISBN 978-1598561630.
This remains the standard critical edition, though it is gradually being replaced by the BHQ. The paperback student edition is more affordable, but the hardcover is significantly more durable.
Order it in Canada or the USA.
BDB
Francis Brown, S. R. Driver and C. A. Briggs. The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2004 (orig. ed. 1906).
Order it in Canada or the USA.
LBH Grammar
Karl V. Kutz and Rebekah Josberger. Learning Biblical Hebrew: Reading for Comprehension: An Introductory Grammar. Bellingham, WA: Lexham, 2018. ISBN 978-1683590842.
Note that LBH has a companion site with resources for teachers and students. You can order the Learning Biblical Hebrew Bundle (2 vols.) directly from the publisher, in print or digital format. I would recommend getting the Reader in print format, since you want to write out the exercises, but it might be useful to have both formats of the Reader if you want to use a digital format for the Grammar.
Alternatively, order the Grammar in Canada or the USA.
LBH Reader
Karl V. Kutz and Rebekah Josberger. Learning Biblical Hebrew: A Graded Reader with Exercises. Bellingham, WA: Lexham, 2019. ISBN 978-1683592440.
Order the Reader in Canada or the USA.

* Please note that textbook selections for my courses often change with each iteration of the course.

Muraoka
Takamitsu Muraoka. A Biblical Hebrew Reader: With an Outline Grammar. Leuven: Peeters, 2017.
Order it in Canada or the USA.
Making Sense
Northey, Margot, Bradford A. Anderson, and Joel N. Lohr. Making Sense in Religious Studies: A Student’s Guide to Research and Writing. 3rd ed. Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press, 2019.
This title includes basic advice on things like reading religious texts, writing essays and book reviews, making oral presentations, and learning languages. It should help you master fundamental tasks in nearly any course in religion or theology.
SBLHS2
The SBL Handbook of Style, 2nd Edition, is the definitive style manual for biblical studies and related disciplines.
A blog (sblhs2.com) and free Student Supplement (PDF) should cover the issues most common to term papers. The AST library copy is in the reference section at PN 147 S26 2014.
Serious students of biblical studies will want a copy of their own. Order one from SBL Press or elsewhere online. ISBN 978-1589839649.
See my resources page for further advice on writing, style, and research.

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