Biblical Hebrew Forum

[James Christian <jc.bhebrew AT googlemail.com>]

Hi,

I haven't really read the New Jerusalem Bible very much and so can't
comment. The NWT is a good literal translation of the Old Testament but its
insistence on translating verb forms consistently as perfective and
imperfective gets a bit boring after a while (e.g. and God proceed to...
rather than just and God did xyz). I've just recently been reading the
Children's International Version. It looks largely based on the New
International Version but with simpler clauses. It's pretty good but in some
places takes a few too many liberties in the name of producing a simple
translation. Of course, like most, Yhwh is completely supplanted by 'the
Lord' (lowercase in this version). This is perhaps the translation's major
drawback.

A lot of people use the online Leningrad codex at
http://www.tanach.us/Tanach.xml#Home It's based on the Leningrad codex (an
old Hebrew codex). I used to have an online Aleppo Codex with electronic
concordance and word counts so that students could start by learning the
most common words and phrases but that is offline now. Some time I'll get
round to renting a new server and putting something online.

As Randall said there is difference in opinion about the best way to learn.
Just do what works best for you. The main thing is to keep making progress.

James Christian

2010/2/5 Andrew Pike <uir.domini AT yahoo.co.uk>

> Hello Everyone,
>
> I have just joined the list and I would like to introduce myself. My name
> is Andrew, I am a Evangelical Christian, and I am from the UK. My previous
> studies involve some Classical languages, Modern languages, History, and
> artifacts. I have always had a passing interest in Old Testament language
> studies for many years now, but have never taken my studies further. I now
> feel that it's the time that I would like to start learning Biblical Hebrew.
> I was wondering if any one could please recommend to me the 'best' books
> available for learning Hebrew quickly? I don't know if I should mention this
> or not as I don't want to cause offense, but I have been advised not to use
> Strong's numbering system, but to purchase a more up to date
> Lexicon/Concordance for my studies. I would also appreciate some advise on
> any study methods? My level of Hebrew is below that of a 'novice', I
> literally know one Hebrew one and about half a dozen transliterated words,
> so any help
>  would be much appreciated? My aim for learning Hebrew is to be able to
> read the Old Testament in it's original language.
>
>
> I would also be grateful if anyone could advise on, a) The best Hebrew Text
> available; b) The best Hebrew Interlinear available; c) The best learning
> tools (Lexicons and Concordances); and; d) The best English translation of
> the Old Testament that best reflects the original. (All with in a reasonable
> budget). I've heard that both the 'New World Translation' and the 'New
> Jerusalem Bible' are good Old Testament versions.
>
> Sorry for all the questions, but I am enthusiastic and eager to learn.
>
> Your's Sincerely,
>
> Andrew Pike
>
>
>
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