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Learning the Alephbet
The first thing to do is to learn to read, and write, the Hebrew script. Here are some items to get you going:
- This is a standard list of Hebrew consonants and vowels, very similar to the one found in our course textbook. (Choose "File > Download" to save original PDF to a local file.)
- This exercise sheet will be useful for practicing writing the characters yourself. [Hint: for best results, print out these sheets as 2:1, so that the line spacing is more realistic. You can also try this “6-up” version.]
- Listen to the Hebrew alephbet being recited in this MP3 (right-click to save a local copy).
Getting the textbook
The required course textbook for 2013/14 is: John A. Cook & Robert D. Holmstedt, Biblical Hebrew: A Student Grammar (revised edition, 2011). It is freely available as a PDF download.
If you want to use other library resources (or perhaps a friend has one of the textbooks below you can make use of), the following are widely-available, reliable beginner textbooks for those interested in doing some advance learning:
Page H. Kelly, Biblical Hebrew: An Introductory Grammar (Eerdmans, 1992).
G. Pratico & M.V. van Pelt, Basics of Biblical Hebrew Grammar (Revised Edition; Zondervan, 2007).
Allen P. Ross, Introducing Biblical Hebrew (Baker Academic, 2001).
C.L. Seow, A Grammar for Biblical Hebrew (Revised Edition, Abingdon 1995).
Reading some text
If you would like to make a start on reading some real Hebrew Bible, you can practice with Genesis 1:1-5, and Psalm 146:5-10. Grab the following:
Note that the Hebrew text includes “cantillation marks” or “accents” in addition to the regular vowel points. These marks appear in all print editions of the Hebrew Bible. For now, simply note that they mark word-stress, and try not to be distracted by them!