A Basic Introduction to Biblical Hebrew

In A Basic Introduction to Biblical Hebrew, Jo Ann Hackett offers a clear and carefully structured introduction to Biblical Hebrew grammar, combining a traditional, deductive approach with pedagogical refinements drawn from more than thirty years of classroom experience.

“Jo Ann Hackett’s grammar, the fruit of decades of classroom instruction, is clearly written, well organized, and easy to follow. She succeeds in getting method out of the way, so to speak, so that students may directly encounter the Hebrew language.”

–– Carson Brisson, Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology

“An outstanding addition to the range of introductory Hebrew grammars. . . . Hackett avoids overwhelming the student with technicalities but does not shy away from teaching traditionally advanced concepts when they aid comprehension. . . . Students of Hackett’s grammar will be well prepared for more advanced discussion afterward.”
–– Kerry Lee, European Journal of Theology

Hackett’s grammar is divided into thirty clearly written lessons for use in a one-semester course or a two-semester sequence. Concepts are introduced in a logical progression suited to beginning language learners. Strong verbs are taught before weak verbs, and verbal paradigms are presented from first- to third-person, following familiar patterns of language acquisition. The book also offers a helpful introduction to the most common accents in Biblical Hebrew, which serve as a key to understanding the text.

A new companion website provides extensive audio and study resources to support the textbook. Students can listen to pronunciations of Hebrew vocabulary, paradigms, and exercises, as well as a complete reading of Genesis 22:1–19. The website also includes an answer key for the exercises in the book, making it useful for both classroom study and independent learning.

Features include:

• Thirty lessons for a one-semester course or a two-semester sequence
• Traditional grammar-based approach refined for beginning students
• Integrated vocabulary, paradigms, exercises, and chapter summaries
• Introduction to the most common Biblical Hebrew accents
• English-to-Hebrew and Hebrew-to-English wordlists
• Companion website with extensive audio resources, including recordings of Biblical Hebrew vocabulary, paradigms, exercises, and Genesis 22:1–19, plus an online answer key

Jo Ann Hackett is Professor of Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Texas, Austin. She is the author of The Bolcom Text from Deir 'A/Id and for many years was Professor of the Practice of Biblical Hebrew and Northwest Semitic Epigraphy at Harvard University.