Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Mary Thompson <maryethomp2005 AT mac.com>]

Hello Everyone -

I'm very new on this list-serve and new also to trying to understand  
the Tanakh in Hebrew.

I have two questions:

1) What dictionary or other reference books would you recommend to  
me?  Currently I'm using the JPS Hebrew-English Tanakh, but the only  
dictionary I have is the one included in my Strong's Concordance,  
which is an older edition from 1983.  I'd be willing to get a updated  
dictionary if you could recommend one that was more complete or  
accurate.  Is there a grammar primer you'd recommend as well?

2) Also, I've noticed in the Tanakh that often before a word there is  
a prefix joined by a 'dash' (for lack of a better term).  For  
example, at Exodus 12:27 the word for Israelites in the Hebrew is BNY- 
Y$R'L.  This prefix is listed in Strong's as related to 'to build'.   
The English says "...the houses of the Israelites..."  so am I right  
in understanding that the prefix sets up the possessive?

Another example, one that I have not been able to find in Strong's,  
is `DT-Y$R'L at Exodus 12:6.  This is given in English as "...the  
assembled congregation of the Israelites..." but the prefix isn't  
listed in my book.

Thank you in advance for your help.
Mary.

_____________
Mary Thompson
maryethomp2005 AT mac.com

"I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn  
how to do it."
 -- Pablo Picasso