Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Kevin Riley" <klriley AT alphalink.com.au>]

James

If you do not have access to the secondary literature, then it is unlikely
you will have access to the primary literature.  From memory, the works
suggested were general, basic works setting out the relationship between
Semitic languages and the reasons why those conclusions were reached.  Those
books - most rather large, are summaries of basic primary evidence.  If by
primary resources you mean the texts themselves and the articles written by
those working with the texts, then most of it is either in museums or
written about in articles that even those with good academic libraries do
not always have access to.  The sheer number of sources alone should
persuade you to go to a summary first so you have some idea where to start. 
Start with Saenz-Badillos ( a history of Hebrew) and Hetzron ( a summary of
the current knowledge of Semitic languages) - two books any library should
be able to get on inter-library loan.  Then you will have a place to start
evaluating the many things that have been said about Hebrew through the ages


Kevin Riley

-------Original Message------- 
 
From: James Read 
Date: 22/05/2009 11:11:31 PM 
 
Ok, I'll try one more time to get this discussion on some kind of 
Productive track. 
 
SUMMARY OF EVENTS LEADING TO THIS THREAD 
 
1) In another thread there was mention of a tradition about Hebrew 
Being the first language. 
 
2) I decided to look into things deeper and found the earliest mention 
Of some similar claim to have been made in Jubilees with an additional 
Claim of holiness of the language 
 
3) I reported this to the list without adding even a hint of an 
Opinion on the matter believing it may have stimulated some kind of 
Discussion 
 
4) Since then I have been barraged with literature, intimations have 
Been made that I hold some kind of incredible position which I have 
Not stated at any point 
 
5) Completely against my wishes I now find myself in the middle of a 
Pointless debate 
 
MY REQUEST 
 
I would like to thank everybody who has pointed me literature of 
Various types. I am not in an academic library of any description and 
Unfortunately do not have to hand the literature that people feel I 
Should read. 
 
I would like to extend my heartfelt invitation to anybody who could 
Spare the time to wet my appetite by explaining why you feel I should 
Read this fine list of literature. 
 
Being of that kind of minority disposition that likes to hear evidence 
>From primary sources I would be forever endebted and eternally 
Grateful if you could include in such gracious summaries references to 
Primary sources which may help better convince me. 
 
I would like to humbly thank you all in advance for humouring my 
Affinity to primary sources not having the same level of regard for 
Theories expressed without evidence as some may be accustomed to. 
 
James Christian