Mateus de Castro
- Will all the photos be available on the resource? Forever? Asking because I bought books on Logos before that promised illustrations etc, but then the pictures were "out of copyright" or some-such. In this particular resource, that would be like theft. Better have some reassurance.
- An important question! I don't have an official answer, but I can tell you that almost all of the photos (at least 230 out of the 250) are my own and, thus, there should never be any "out of copyright" issues in regard to their embeddedness in the book.
- Thanks, professor. The resource looks fantastic and it's very reassuring to know about the pictures. Congratulations. God bless.
- No idea why Zondervan published such resource. Not their usual 'bells and whistles practical and clear option'. The "extras" (paleo-hebrew rare citations; extra-biblical quotes) are mere curiosities, ate best. The 'lexicon' part is very limited. The presentation, supposed to be clear and new, is confusing. Verbs parse from 1cs to 3cp instead of 3ms onward, which I don't like. The "complete overview of the term"; "examples from the Bible" etc is ridiculous. Any dictionary has more examples, a complete range of forms and meanings in other passages, while this has a gloss, one passage and (sometimes) one example from extra-biblical fonts. It's far from the best 'simple gloss' reference (even those with 'strong numbers' are better), much less a 'complete overview'. Zondervan (when Prof. Van Pelt is involved, I guess) usually make some pretty useful resources. When they are not as complete as others, they offer extras, readability, combination of materials etc. This one tries to do that, but fails miserably. Especially when any lexicon offers way more information in all fronts. All in all, you can find better content on practically any dictionary. Especially on Logos. First time I asked for a refund. Unless you don't have other dictionaries of Hebrew, and think you need a (not that) clear presentation so you don't get lost while you are learning, give it a hard pass and go for real lexicons.
- This review is in 2 sections: the book and the Logos version. The grammar is one of the best. This updated edition is even better in terms of clarity and organization. The numbering is sane and makes it easier to find. In the first edition, the numbering was in sequence from beginning to end, so you could have exercise 56.7 on chapter 21. Now it follows the chapter numbers. Kelley had segolate nouns apart on the first edition, for example. The second made that, and many other sections, much more consistent thematically moving things around a bit. Descriptions are up to date and some were just 'touched up' to make it clear and consistent. My only regret is that Prof. Crawford didn't want to change the older nomenclature for weak verbs. Some paragraphs become a soup letter trying to explain "pe'yod/waw with pattah and double weak pe'nun and lamed he etc" instead of easier "I-waw; III-He" etc. The grammar itself goes beyond the normal "basics" and gives clear sections on syntax. The 'synopses' themselves are so helpful for the student (and those who want to 'freshen up' on clear explanation and examples) that are worth the price of the book. But it's much more than that. It mixes approaches and gives a solid foundation. Lots and lots of exercises (even without the workbook, that is more like a glorified answer-key), and the best ones on any grammar of the kind. Most students like to use more than one grammar. Especially if they can't rely on a teacher all the time (or ever). I'm not sure this would be my first choice to begin with (Fuller's method for undertanding morphology, up to the weak verbs - when it gets nuts - is still my choice), but it's certainly a perfect candidate for complementing any other. Can't recommend it enough. Maybe the best 'all around' grammar available (tied with Allen Ross'). Logos Edition: I'm surprised it is still very broken. The vocalic marks are in a sorry state on some parts. Furtive Patahs are lost. Some get mixed with Tseres and become a 'bowtie'. See sections 20.6 for a simple mistake. Now, section 20.16, which is a great new addition on the second edition, is lost. Completely broken on Logos. If you open on a tablet it gets impossibly bad. I undertand the difficulties of some fonts to be correct on any system, but learing biblical languages (and languages of Biblical times) is an important part of the lif of the Church. And, frankly, is one of the main attractions of using Logos as a system that can unite reading, analysis and more about those languages. Books like this, so broken after so many years, is troubling. P.S. - I can't imagine the difficulties of that and color, but other resources, like Van Pelt's grammars and charts, depend on colors. It's past time Logos catches up with that. 5 stars to the grammar. 3 for the Logos edition as of July of 2024.
- A review of the book and of the Logos/Verbum version: It was just released and it seems premature to review, but since I knew the book and the way some Hebrew grammars (and biblical language scripts in general) were released on Logos, it's an honest review of both. The book is outstanding. Fuller and Choi's "Basics" was a rare gem, and this one is no different. Their deductive approach on the former set it apart; their 'Classic Semitic' approach on this also sets it apart. In the case of this 'intermediate' grammar, even if you (like me) prefers a more modern linguistics approach, this is very complementary. The arrangement is sensible; lots of examples and their famous 'drills'; composition etc. While a modern linguistics approach will get you 'in the conversation' with most modern literature of its kind, most biblical languages authors only emulate what true linguists produce. Therefore, they can be very 'trendy' without being very accurate or useful. You have to wait for the next edition of read many complimentary texts. This is not the case with this grammar. It may be different, but it's certainly very precise and objective about their choices. Especially dealing with 'tense', something that biblical interpreters avoid without ever explaining well its absence and its alternatives (some strange definitions of 'aspect' get around). I think anyone will learn what is intended in this book. A more linguistics heavy approach will be complementary without being confusing. So, in short, start with this book to learn Hebrew syntax. As with their 'Basics' book, it's the perfect way to start and really understand. Then it's about choice, definition, theory and practice. But all that with flimsy understanding from clumsy definitions that may be found in other grammars is not helpful. This grammar will help you! About the Logos/Verbum edition: I salute Logos for not releasing a Hebrew grammar with pictures in place of the Hebrew script. It happened in the past and it ruins the experience, since you buy the Logos version to be able to use its capabilities in selecting, researching meanings and sources etc. That said, while you can select the text, as of its release, there's work to be done. The 'hovering', analysis and search is still not on, or it's not as focused as other resources. But it's a tremendous improvement over other Hebrew releases. So, I wholeheartedly recommend it for everyone who needs an 'intermediate Hebrew' textbook or is interested in knowing a different approach or practice etc. 5 stars!
- The book is fantastic. Great commentary series in many ways: the scholars involved are some of the best; the exegesis is great; a literary-canonical view that does not shy away from all methods and techniques; and a unique premise that goes from analyzing the text to a real view on application. This volume is from the tiny book of Obadiah, but Prof. Block makes the most from it. He is always great. I won't take a star from such great a book, but the Logos Edition has a problem. It says in the book that the printed edition does not include the Hebrew Script, but the "electronic version" would have it. As someone who loves to read the original Hebrew text, and not just the transliterated, I thought the Logos Edition would include it. I hope Logos updates it and fulfills that promise. It's naturally better to use all Logos' resources to have the Hebrew script and be able to click on it and do my own research. Otherwise, I could stick to the printed version. Other than that, can't recommend enough the book and the series. All the best in Christ!
- Read my review of the grammar this workbook was made for accompanying (and get the grammar and workbook!): This is the best Hebrew grammar by far. Instead of giving basic rules and tons to memorize, Profs. Fuller and Choi make you understand the language. It's a deductive approach instead of a inductive one. Most "inductive" grammars dumb down the teaching and prepare you for a superficial reading quickly. And that presupposes lots and lots of memorization and no understanding. Fuller and Choi's method is to go through phonology, morphology, and then to syntax. When you get there, you will know how and why words change etc. And not just memorize paradigms. In my opinion, this is the best way to learn a language. The other thing is the exercises. Most grammars and their workbooks have some nice supposedly "biblical" exercises, but they don't always train your. This grammar and its workbook (get it!) have "drills". They will repeat and build upon each lesson with the basics in a crescendo, not jump subjects. And there are lots of drills. This is the way to go! A Grammar that teaches, not just skip through real grammar to make you memorize and try to read the text. Can't recommend enough.
- I don't mind memorization but definitely can relate when taking Modern Hebrew for my degree program. Looked for and bought several modern Hebrew Grammars and not until the fourth one bought was what made sense to me. I was giving a lot of time to learn Modern Hebrew and when sharing this with HaMorah, shared how the concepts she taught were nearly word for word the same as in this book. When I gave it to her. She remarked how uncanny it was that what they wrote was nearly word for word how she would explain things. That was the first time she ever saw this book though others I shared...they fell way short for giving explanation. It never helped that the workbook we used was completely only in Hebrew and had nothing to do with the text we used. As a non-Jewish student, we became very good friends. Praying for her, her family and friends in Israel, and those inher congregation who might have family in Israel in this time of trouble. A Reference Grammar of Modern Hebrew (Reference Grammars) by Edna Amir Coffin (Author), Shmuel Bolozky (Author) Also here is the title of the Hebrew book...
- This is the best Hebrew grammar by far. Instead of giving basic rules and tons to memorize, Profs. Fuller and Choi make you understand the language. It's a deductive approach instead of a inductive one. Most "inductive" grammars dumb down the teaching and prepare you for a superficial reading quickly. And that presupposes lots and lots of memorization and no understanding. Fuller and Choi's method is to go through phonology, morphology, and then to syntax. When you get there, you will know how and why words change etc. And not just memorize paradigms. In my opinion, this is the best way to learn a language. The other thing is the exercises. Most grammars and their workbooks have some nice supposedly "biblical" exercises, but they don't always train your. This grammar and its workbook (get it!) have "drills". They will repeat and build upon each lesson with the basics in a crescendo, not jump subjects. And there are lots of drills. This is the way to go! A Grammar that teaches, not just skip through real grammar to make you memorize and try to read the text. Can't recommend enough.