Advances in the Study of Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic: New Insights for Reading the Old Testament

Product Description

Advances in the Study of Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic by Benjamin J. Noonan offers a much-needed introduction to the issues in the current world of Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic scholarship. This book fills a gap in the field of Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic linguistics and provides an accessible, comprehensive, up-to-date, and linguistically-informed investigation of our understanding of these languages. 

Topics addressed include:

Linguistics and linguistic theories
History of scholarship of Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic
Lexical semantics and lexicography
Verbal stems
Tense, mood, and aspect in the verbal system
Discourse analysis
Register, dialect, style-shifting, and code-switching
Word order in Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic
Dating of Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic texts
Teaching and learning Biblical Hebrew

Review

‘Anyone interested in delving into the riches of the Old Testament in the original languages will welcome this impressive volume. The author succeeds admirably in his attempt to introduce the sometimes dizzying world of Hebrew and Aramaic scholarship to the intermediate student. In light of advances being made in current investigations of these ancient languages, this volume will find a wide readership among students and teachers alike for many years to come.’ — BILL T. ARNOLD, Paul S. Amos Professor of Old Testament Interpretation, Asbury Theological Seminary

‘Trying to keep up with the volume and pace of new developments in the linguistic study of Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic can be overwhelming. Thanks to Benjamin Noonan, we now have an up-to-date volume that orients students to these advances. Noonan concisely describes the methods and terminology being used and insight- fully assesses the bewildering array of conclusions being proposed. In addition to his helpful summaries and evaluations, Noonan provides ample, up-to-date bibliographies for those who want to pursue specific subjects. The book is an ideal supplemental text for advanced master’s level courses.’ — ROBERT B. CHISHOLM, JR., Chair and Senior Professor of Old Testament Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary

‘Advances in the Study of Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic is a helpful and succinct guide to the complex landscape of recent study of Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic grammar. Noonan provides a brief orientation to the linguistic theories that have animated many of these recent studies but also hinder easy access to them. Noonan’s surveys of key advances and debates in the fields provides the ‘lay of the land’ and key resources for further study. This book is a useful initiation to the recent study of Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic grammar for students and biblical scholars alike.’ — JOHN A. COOK, Professor of Old Testament and Director of Hebrew Language Instruction, Asbury Theological Seminary

‘This book will help intermediate students, pastors, and even scholars to keep abreast of current linguistic research. Noonan makes the material easy to grasp and provides helpful summaries. I heartily recommend this work.’ — PETER J. GENTRY, Donald L. Williams Professor of Old Testament, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

‘The last century and a half witnessed numerous seismic shifts in the study of language. Most students find understanding these changes challenging, others fail to understand the importance of different linguistic theories, and even biblical scholars have a difficult time keeping up with the everchanging nuances of the various discussions. Noonan provides an indispensable resource to help navigate the current state of linguistics for biblical studies. Advances in the Study of Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic balances accessible, informed descriptions of the major linguistic movements with helpful evaluations of recent language-specific developments in Hebrew and Aramaic. Students at every level will find this work both enlightening and valuable.’ — H. H. HARDY II, Associate Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Language