Basics of Biblical Hebrew Grammar: Second Edition,   ISBN:9780310270201

Customer Rating: 

I began learning biblical Hebrew at 54,basically self-taught,although I had access to some oversight and guidance.I owned two beginning grammars prior to buying Pratico which were helpful as stepping stones.
I believe this grammar to be the most comprehensive of any that I was able to preview,and is an excellent stand-alone reference. The available workbook,vocabulary cards,and general SYSTEM Pratico publishes will enable the disciplined and persevering student to read and understand the language . That said,if you are NOT those things,this book is going to overwhelm you as an initial introduction to Hebrew grammar,for the very reason it is an excellent reference tool.It is so comprehensive you may be initially intimidated by the thorough presentation of all the nuances,exceptions to the rule,and caveats Biblical Hebrew contains.
So basically the use of this book will reward the serious student,and I wish I had started here. Get the workbook,vocabulary cards and everything they offer if you are committed. If you are not,you probably are wasting time and should be satisfied using a KeyWord Bible,also excellent.

Customer Rating: 

The Ross Hebrew Grammar is very much better, in our view, than the Pratico Grammar. Pratico has produced a book that serves better as a reference book than a beginning Hebrew Grammar. Very often, my students were confronted with material they did not need. Ross' Grammar we have found to be simpler and, for beginning students, that means better. It covers all that beginners need, and just a little bit more (for the students who want it). I am sure that other Grammars do the same. Pratico just gives too much information too soon. Much of it can safely be skipped.
We recently switched from Pratico to Ross' textbook in mid-stream because we grew tired of having to deal with so much unnecessary detail. We have kept Pratico on the shelf, and have referred to it once already. So, it still is serving a purpose. But I cannot recommend it as the text of choice for beginners.

Customer Rating: 

I needed this for a text and I am very happy with the price and the book

Customer Rating: 

This is a well laid out grammar with extensive help on every key grammatical point. I think many of the reviews here I have read bring out good points, however, there is a bias in this grammar that I didn't see mentioned. I'd like to point that out here.

This book uses the traditional pronunciation guides that were used in many older grammars and in Seminaries years ago. However, it is not the only traditional pronunciation of Hebrew. Yet this grammar presents it's pronunciation as if it was the traditional mode. This is unfortunate because it's not completely accurate and because the pronunciation guide used here will cause many of the words you learn to sound like you learned Hebrew in a western language Seminary. It would be better if grammars like this switched to the modern pronunciation of Hebrew, since there are millions of Jews living today who speak modern Hebrew (they use the same alphabet and all the vocabulary in this book).

Also, this Grammar has more detail in some ways than a 'basics' book ought to have, but I really love the way it is laid out and the format of the material.

Therefore, I give it a four star.

Customer Rating: 

This is by far the best update to the Basics of Biblical Hebrew text book to date. Lay open design with extra wide margins for notes. Red letters to show endings and changes to words. Very easy to read and very logical instruction. In combination with the Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary course OT500 (taught by the author), the Hebrew text comes to life. Great instruction by a great instructor. Very nice companion CD for further study. A must for anyone wanting a better understanding of the Hebrew text. Appropriate for pastors,teachers, and students of the Bible.