"The Biblical Hebrew Verb" (John A. Cook)

TITLE: The Biblical Hebrew Verb: A Linguistic Introduction (Learning Biblical Hebrew)
AUTHOR: John A. Cook
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2024, (352 pages).

Why a book just on verbs? Why is this book important? Who can best benefit from this book? Why would anyone read this book? These questions might be good to ask before picking up this book. It is academic and technical, even for Hebrew students. It is important for students, pastors, preachers, and anyone wanting a more in-depth knowledge of the Hebrew Bible. As a linguistic introduction, this book aims to broaden our learning and understanding of the nuances demonstrated by Hebrew verbs.

From "valency" to "tense-aspect-mood/modality," students can find it challenging to deal with when, how, and where verbs manage both subjects and objects. Other nuances include the use of tenses (time-based), aspect (temporal nature), and mood (actual vs potential). The author recognizes an existing gap between scholarly treatises and textbook treatments of the topic. The former might be too technical or academic for new students while the latter lacks the space to explain the vast complexities of the Hebrew verb. In filling this "niche," it is hoped that students will develop a "linguistic framework" to connect the literal meaning with the historical contexts. This will enable one to give clearer linguistic explanations of the verb in question. This road is often uphill and requires much diligence. As an introductory book, author John Cook provides us many examples to facilitate our learning. Chapter One covers the "Linguistic Background" to show us how Latin-mindsets differ from Semitic-mindsets; various linguistic theories used; terminologies; and the differences between "text" and "language." Hebrew being a more "Internal-language" can be quite challenging for English-language speakers. This is more so when we are asked: "Which Hebrew? Biblical, Rabbinic, or Modern?" 

"Exegetical Journeys in Biblical Greek" (Benjamin L. Merkle)

TITLE: Exegetical Journeys in Biblical Greek
AUTHOR: Benjamin L. Merkle
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2023, (288 pages).

One of the challenges of learning any language is the frequency of usage. The old adage "Use it or lose it" is particularly true for languages. Even for those who grow up in their native languages, lack of usage will impact fluency. Learning the ancient biblical languages is the same. Whether it is Hebrew or Greek, constant practice makes perfect. For many who had studied the biblical languages in seminary, chances are, they would have lost their learning through lack of usage in an English-speaking world. Author Benjamin Merkle calls this "linguistic apostacy." This book is about helping seminarians, and those who had learned biblical Greek at some point in their lives to practice its use over a period of 90 days. It is a follow-up to "Exegetical Gems from Biblical Greek" published in 2019. The journey is arranged from elementary (Gospel of Mark and John) to advanced (later part of the New Testament) levels of reading. Comprising three journeys labeled "Easy," "Intermediate," and "Difficult," readers have 90 lessons to work through. The hope is that this guide gives one a starting torque toward making such journeys a way of life. Each day comprises a sequence as follows:

"The Second Testament" (Scot McKnight)

TITLE: The Second Testament: A New Translation
AUTHOR: Scot McKnight
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2023, (312 pages).
 

Over the years, we have a wealth of English translations of the Bible. Whether it is a literal translation, a paraphrase, or the popular dynamic equivalence type, they have all been helpful for those of us unfamiliar with the original languages. For all the competent scholarship and attempts to update the transalations, there is a nagging concern about context. Sometimes, the translations can be so good that English speakers might have mistakenly thought that the Bible was written for the English-speaking world! What if modern readers who do not know the original languages can in some way perceive what the original hearers were hearing? What if we can get closer to Greek ears and still maintain the English text? This is precisely what author and professor, Scot McKnight is trying to do. Understanding the meaning is one thing. Locating the meaning within the original contexts is often another. Moreover, there are certain words in Greek that are hard to translate. Often, this forces translators to choose between literal and contextual. Even in the translation of meaning, too many words might muddle the interpretation. This is McKnight's attempt to help us understand the words within the Greek context. This is what I call a more contextual translation of the New Testament. He begins with a brief introduction to each book, which not only gives us an overview but also unique themes that we can connect with the rest of the Bible. For example, in the introduction to the synoptic gospels, we see clear connections to the other gospels to help us prepare for the road ahead. The same applies to the epistles of Paul. The maps also enable readers to get a feel of the geographical contexts as described in the text. Called "The Second Testament," this new translation of the New Testament complements the "First Testament" which uses similar translation principles for the Old Testament.

"50 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know" (Rose Publishing)

TITLE: 50 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know
AUTHOR: Rose Publishing Group / Hendrickson Publishing Group
PUBLISHER: Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishing, 2023.

The Old Testament is written originally in Hebrew while the New Testament is in Aramaic and Greek. Since then, there have been translations into many different languages for the masses. Not only is the Bible the bestselling book in the world, safe to say, but it is also the most translated book in the world. Those of us who have studied Hebrew would know that Hebrew and Greek are a lot more nuanced than the English language. In fact, Hebrew words like "hesed" and "lev" are not easily translated into English. The word has to be considered in the context of the passage, and the passage in the context of the way it is being used. Plus, there are grammatical considerations on how the word is used. While the ordinary layperson might not be expected to learn biblical Hebrew like seminarians, it is beneficial for them to know some. That is where this book comes in. The publisher has chosen 50 words to help us appreciate the beauty of biblical Hebrew.  From "Adam" to "YHWH," "Shalom" to "Amen," this book comprises the words, followed by their definitions, where they are found in Scripture, and insights into the word from the way they are used in the Bible. Arranged in a table format, readers can reference each word with ease. The purpose of this book is to give the general readers an appreciation of the beauty of the Hebrew words used in the Bible. We learn how to spell and pronounce it with the help of transliteration. Arranged alphabetically according to the English alphabet, the words are arranged from A-Z, making it an easy reference for English speakers.

"The Art of the Lie" (Marcel Danesi)

TITLE: The Art of the Lie: How the Manipulation of Language Affects Our Minds
AUTHOR: Marcel Danesi
PUBLISHER: Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield Publishing Group, 2020, (256 pages).

Lying is one thing. Choosing to continue to believe in the lie pushes the hypocrisy to a whole new dimension. Written by an internationally renowned linguist and semiotician, this book asserts the following: "that lying is the most destructive of all types of deportment." This is a cancer that if not eradicated, should at least be neutralized. We need to be able to recognize them. By calling the lie as a form of art, author Danesi shows us the many different faces of the lie. The Trojan horse story is a powerful example of the art of deception, of how people could be deceived. Lies and lying are nothing new. From Lucifer as the "Prince of lies" to political leaders of today who tell half-truths in order to manipulate public opinion, we learn of this disease infecting our society in more ways than we know. Some would say there is a difference between a black vs a white lie. Others would claim that a lie is a lie, regardless of the colour. Regardless of justification, there is a sense of manipulation whenever lies are used, and this is where the problem begins. Danesi gives us a laundry list of these manipulators. From swindlers to con-artists; scammers to tricksters; cunning characters in literature to political figures in real life, all of these are ways that Lucifer, the prince of lies has influence in. The author calls this problem perfectly defined as according to George Goebbels: "Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it." Sadly, this has become pervasive throughout society. By showing us the different faces of such lies, author Marcel Danesi reminds us to be on our guard against two things: Being manipulated, and becoming a manipulator.

"40 Questions About Islam" (Matthew Aaron Bennett)

TITLE: 40 Questions About Islam
AUTHOR: Matthew Aaron Bennett
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2020, (304 pages).

Whether it is inter-religious dialogues, defending the faith, or trying to build bridges or to explain one's faith, it is always necessary to speak or listen with understanding. Without understanding, one might misinterpret or misconstrue another party, and propagate fake news. For Christians, speaking without understanding might lead to reduced credibility and hamper the testimony of the gospel. People tend to be open to those who are open. In the classic prayer of St Francis of Assisi, there is a line that says: "Seek not to be understood but to understand." In this spirit, that is what this book is about. Using a question-and-answer format, author and professor Matthew Bennett tackles forty questions about Islam, with the purpose of informing and educating non-Muslims about Islam. It may not make one an expert overnight, but it sure helps us be more knowledgeable and more importantly, not to misrepresent the Muslim faith. As much as Christians would like to be understood fairly, so too are Muslims who would be pleased if others could understand correctly what they believe. Written by an author who has many Muslim friends and who has lived many years in Muslim-majority countries, he hopes that the spirit of dialogue and understanding would continue through this book. The book is sub-divided into seven parts:

"Exegetical Gems from Biblical Greek" (Benjamin L. Merkle)

TITLE: Exegetical Gems from Biblical Greek: A Refreshing Guide to Grammar and Interpretation
AUTHOR: Benjamin L. Merkle
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2019, (192 pages).

Studying Biblical Greek is a challenge for many of us trained in English. Not only must we grasp the challenges of grammar and a strange new pronunciation, we need to interpret the nuances that are revealed through different contexts. For those who are not gifted with language studies, the technical aspects of the language can be arduously dry. Author Benjamin Merkle designs this refresher of 35 examples to help three types of readers: Current Seminary students studying Greek; Former Greek students; and teachers of Biblical Greek. Current students would find the examples helpful to shed light and relevance in their studies. Former Greek students would be able to revisit what they had learned and forgotten. Greek teachers could use the examples to make their classes not only more interesting but more powerful.

Using a regular second year Greek syllabus format, Merkle titles each chapter according to the Greek syntax and exegesis course. While the book could be used like a reference book, for those who prefer to start from cover to cover, each chapter builds on the earlier ones. Readers get to learn or refresh themselves on the nature of koine Greek; interpretation from contexts and not just the texts; and the basic grammar and syntax to remember. As it is assumed that readers already have a knowledge of the Greek alphabet and the pronunciation, the Greek words in the book have not been transliterated. However, the meaning is often accompanied by an English translation in brackets. Like an able teacher, Merkle guides readers along with three clear sections: Introduction; Overview; and Interpretation. In Introduction, we get a gist of what the chapter is about. This is followed by an Overview with the key points reiterated with examples of how they are used in the other parts of the New Testament. The Interpretation portion is not only the longest, but comprises the main application of the concepts mentioned. Where appropriate, the author brings in exegesis and references from other sources to highlight the different ways to understand the grammar or how the grammar is used.

"Exegetical Gems from Biblical Hebrew" (H. H. Hardy II)

TITLE: Exegetical Gems from Biblical Hebrew: A Refreshing Guide to Grammar and Interpretation
AUTHOR: H. H. Hardy II
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2019, (224 pages).

The inspiration for studying Hebrew could be summed up in the words of the author's professor of Hebrew: "One cannot have good theology without good morphology!" Some seminaries and Bible schools to their detriment are doing away with language studies. This book reminds us once again that the original languages are biblical treasures that we could constantly discover. Faith comes by the Word of God. Fruitful spiritual growth comes from an earnest study of the Bible. As one goes further into the book, one could easily feel the conviction of the author rising out of the pages. Using a basic second-year Hebrew syntax syllabus structure, we get a chapter by chapter treatment of nouns, verbs, pronouns, adjectives, prepositions, particles, and so on. The format is similar.

1. Introduction
2. Overview
3. Interpretation
4. Further Reading

At the beginning of each chapter, there is a Hebrew verse (without transliteration) taken from the Old Testament. As the author introduces the chapter, he shows us a couple of English translations to set the pace. Phrases are underlined to help us see the different renditions in the translations. It shows us how even the English translation is an interpretation in itself. The overview sections explains some basic exegetical tools to be used in the chapter. This is then followed by Interpretation which is probably the most technical part of each chapter. As I read the resources section, it is clear that the author wants readers to go further to use the example verse as a springboard to more exegesis work on our own. We learn about the "five-step method" of word studies. We are reminded of the differences in the way adjectives are understood between English and Hebrew. We have quick primers of verb conjugations, stems, prepositions, and many other grammatical structures.

"Devotions on the Hebrew Bible" (Milton Eng and Lee M. Fields)

TITLE: Devotions on the Hebrew Bible: 54 Reflections to Inspire and Instruct
AUTHOR: Milton Eng and Lee M. Fields
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2015, (192 pages).

After the "Devotions from the Greek New Testament" was published, there have been calls to publish a similar one from the Old Testament. One of these calls resulted in this book, excitedly put together by editors Milton Eng and Lee M. Fields, both biblical scholars and professors of Old Testament from William Paterson University and Mid-Atlantic Christian University respectively. Together with 36 other scholars and theologians from Universities from Canada, USA, Israel, South Africa, publishing houses, and mission agencies around the world, they have put together 53 reflections on the 39 books of the Old Testament. All of them pay special attention to exegesis of the Hebrew language. All of them want to encourage more students and pastors to continue learning Hebrew even after seminary studies. All of them urge the study of the Hebrew text and demonstrate in this book not only the beauty of Hebrew but the profound wisdom contained in the ancient texts. All the contributors hold a doctorate degree and are evangelical in their theological orientation. They begin each devotion from a recommended English translation and gradually try to do their own translation of the selected passages.

"Biblical Hebrew: A Compact Guide"

TITLE: Biblical Hebrew: A Compact Guide
AUTHOR: Miles V. Van Pelt
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012, (224 pages).

This compact guide is a boon for students of the Bible, in particular, students studying Biblical Hebrew. Meant to be used as a quick guide and review to introductory Hebrew, this compact guide gives readers a refresher course from basic phonology to more advanced morphology; from nouns and verbs to adjectives/participles; from alphabets to more complex word formation. The material in this guide is largely condensed from the main text called: "Basics of Biblical Hebrew, 2nd edition" written by Dr Gary Pratico and this author.

Having studied a little of Hebrew, I find the book very refreshing. It brings back memories of my struggles with the reading, the memorizing, and the word formulating. The red highlights of endings and alphabets are especially helpful in emphasis. The book can be useful for three groups of people. The first group will be students of Hebrew following the main textbook. The short formats can easily jiggle the memories of students. The second group will be pastors and teachers with rudimentary memory of Hebrew. I fall under this group. The third group will be students preparing for Hebrew examinations or anyone requiring a quick refresher of the Hebrew language. As the saying goes, if we do not use it, we lose it. Language is similar. If we do not regularly use it, we will lose it. Hopefully, non-native Hebrew students will be able to minimize the loss through a good refresher from time to time. This book fills in this very need.

Great reference!

conrade

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This book is provided to me free by Zondervan and NetGalley without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.