A Brief Guide to Dictionaries of Biblical Hebrew

Dictionaries of ancient Hebrew have their share of idiosyncrasies. It is important to remember that there is nothing sacred about the subdivisions of meaning a given dictionary offers.

Three Hebrew-to-English dictionaries deserve mention. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. The first is classic and is based on the work of the great lexicographer Wilhelm Gesenius. The second is based on a revision of Koehler-Baumgartner, another formidable tradition of lexicography. The last is the most innovative, with full coverage of ancient Hebrew inscriptions, DSS vocabulary, and proposals by comparative philologists. It is not yet finished. 

(1) Francis Brown, Samuel Rolles Driver, and Charles Augustus Briggs, The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (repr. of 1906 edition; Peabody: Hendrickson, 2004). Known as BDB. Order from Eisenbrauns.

 

(2) M. E. J. Richardson, ed., The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament: Study Edition. Vols. 1-2 (translation and revision of HALAT [see below]; Leiden: E. J. Brill, 2002 [1994-1999]). Known as HALOT. Order from Eisenbrauns .

 

(3) David J. A. Clines, The Dictionary of Classical Hebrew (Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix Press, 1993-). Known as DCH. Order from Eisenbrauns.

 

Volume 1, Alef (1993)

Volume 2, Bet-Vav (1995)

Volume 3, Zayin-Teth (1996)

Volume 4, Yodh-Lamedh (1998)

Volume 5, Mem-Nun (2001)

Volume 6, Samekh-Pe (2007, forthcoming)

Two Hebrew-to-German dictionaries deserve mention. The first exists in an English edition, much revised, and not always for the better. The second, like BDB, is based on the work of Gesenius. It is beautifully done, but not yet finished.

(4) Walter Baumgartner, Ludwig Koehler, and Johann Jakob Stamm, eds., Hebräisches und aramäisches Lexicon zum Alten Testament (5 vols; Leiden: Brill, 1967-1997). Order from Brill. Known as HALAT.

 

(5) Rudolf Meyer and Herbert Donner, Hebräisches und aramäisches Handwörterbuch über das Alte Testament (18th ed.; Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1987-). Order from Springer. Abbreviation: HAT.

 

1. Lieferung, alef - gimel (1987)

2. Lieferung, dalet - yod (1995)

3. Lieferung, kaf - mem (2005)

4. Lieferung, nun-pe (2007)

An excellent Hebrew-to-Spanish dictionary deserves mention. In some ways, this dictionary beats all the others! It is impossible not to learn new things from reading its entries carefully.

(6) Luis Alonso Schökel et al, Diccionario bíblico hebreo-español (ed. Víctor Morla y Vicente; Madrid: Editorial Trotta, ²1999 [1994]). Order from Distribuciones Libreria de Habla Hispana. Abbreviation: DBHE.

Two Hebrew-to-Hebrew dictionaries deserves note. The first is incorporated into a concordance of the Hebrew Bible. Use of this dictionary will significantly improve one’s competence in ancient Hebrew. The author attempts to gloss ancient Hebrew words with other ancient Hebrew words as much as possible. The second is the best Hebrew-to-Hebrew dictionary available.

 (7) Abraham Even-Shoshan, A New Concordance of the Old Testament Using the Hebrew and Aramaic Text (Jerusalem: Magnes Press, 2000). Order from Eisenbrauns. A serviceable earlier edition may be purchased from www.judaicapress.com. Abbreviation: NCOT.

(8) Menachem Zevi Kaddari, אוצר לשון המקרא מאלף עד תו Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew (Alef-Taw) ׁ(Hebrew; Bar-Ilan University Press, 2006). Order from Eisenbrauns.

Beginning students might consider purchasing (1) and (7). Scholars with an interest in classical Hebrew philology will need to have all eight! I leave out a discussion of the electronic versions of these and other dictionaries (where they exist). My hands-on experience with them is too limited.

For a printable version of this post, go here.

Comments

[tim bulkeley]

Thanks for a useful article, explains the field well. I'd just add that people should not overlook electronic editions where they are available, as they can save a lot of time! (But avoid the cutdown electronic versions of BDB except for beginners classes, make sure you pay for the full edition ;-)

[John Hobbins]

Hi Tim,

Funny that you should mention electronic editions. I'm working on a review of nine dictionaries of Biblical Hebrew in electronic format at this moment.

[Alexander Gendler]

Hi-
On our website www.ebookshuk.com you can see FREE (upon signup) a true complete and unabridged version of BDB cover-to-cover upon sign up.
Its URL is http://www.publishersrow.com/Preview/index.asp?shid=1&bid=296&o

[john cartwright]

i was wondering what the hebrew symbol for friend, or pals. also i would like to know the symbol for family. thank you

[JohnFH]

Hi John,

Modern Hebrew words for friend are: חָבֵר and יָדִיד

But חָבֵר in Ancient Hebrew means 'companion, associate.'

יָדִיד and אוֹהֵב in ancient Hebrew sometimes mean something close to 'friend.' Benjamin is called God's
יָדִיד; Abraham is called God's אוֹהֵב.

The Hebrew word for family is:
מִשְׁפָּחָה

[Matthew Anstey]

Luis Alonso Schökel et al, Diccionario bíblico hebreo-español (ed. Víctor Morla y Vicente; Madrid: Editorial Trotta, 21999 [1994]). is available in a 3rd edition, 2008. Here is the url: http://www.trotta.es/ShopProductDetail.aspx?ID=450

[JohnFH]

Thanks, Matthew. I have the earlier edition. I wonder if there are any significant changes (it's doubtful).

[Mark Futato]

Another dictionary of biblical Hebrew worthy of mention is Lexicon Hebraicum et Aramaicum Veteris Testamenti by Franz Zorell, published in 1968, Pontificium Institutum Biblicum (Roma).

[JohnFH]

Mark,

You are right about that. I have the Aramaic fascicle of Zorell's lexicon, and often wish I had the whole thing.

[Mark Futato]

On an unrelated issue, your post a while back about reading the piyyutim lead me to start working through a siddur devotionally. Wonderful! Thank you.

[#nbhiortn[changeszg]]

rUasldOdst insanity workout rGqifoSzlh insanity workout australia cHjvldQyhg p90x vs insanity
mJlzycGfmk insanity workout sSkwprQlzg insanity workout australia kIdnxoZdto where to buy insanity

[VewAppefs]

kwxsx burberry soldes jjsnd soldes burberry qvqxk burberry france htmyk http://burberrysoldes8.webnode.fr/ bkvtg fitflop gryxp fitflop sale kgoqk fitflops sale elvte http://fitflopsgsaleap.snappages.com/ amuvk http://cheaptomscanadashoes.manifo.com/ muylb http://cheaptomsshoesas.moonfruit.com/ pednz http://tomsshoesukatns.webeden.co.uk/ amifx sneakers isabel marant fnxab baskets isabel marant vmcxx chaussure isabelle marant ygmht http://isabelmaranttsneakers.webnode.fr/ udbok isabel marant sneakers fiqxv isabel marant chaussures yzenf isabelle marant sneakers ldykm http://basketisabellemarants0.webnode.fr/ pytra basket isabel marant feunu baskets isabel marant vmlzu boots isabel marant adgya http://basketisabellemarantsfr.monwebeden.fr/

[VewAppefs]

nttre oakley sunglasses wvbwm oakley australia oipir oakley lenses jfvhc http://oakleysunglassesau.welbecktiles.org/ wxann insanity workout mmasb insanity workout australia ofdva cheap insanity workout pcfdw http://insanityworkout.psychster.org/ qilbt hunter rain boots trjpc hunter rain boots sale loigd hunter rain boot dmgey http://hunterrainboots.welbecktiles.org/ gdzix insanity workout lpvqu insanity workout dvd ajjhx insanity program vucdl http://insanityworkoutsale.psychster.org/ uvkdp hunter boots cgvlw hunter wellies cheap lvzou hunter welly ltmkq http://hunterboots.welbecktiles.org/

[VewAppefs]

yorpe hunter boots zdudg hunter wellington boots ltghd hunter shoes sqxtv http://hunterboots.welbecktiles.org/ ebobu hunter rain boots lifuv hunter boots sale vpmup pink hunter rain boots dikjf http://hunterrainboots.welbecktiles.org/ wscfq insanity workout pyexa insanity workout sale vxtos insanity workout online deuan http://insanityworkout.psychster.org/ liong oakley sunglasses flwdv oakley australia acome oakley radar jmcsi http://oakleysunglassesau.welbecktiles.org/ fiptu insanity workout lruxx insanity workouts xpqdq insanity program lmkyx http://insanityworkoutsale.psychster.org/

[#nbhiortn[changeszg]]

oEiwwgHwzm insanity workout wJwgfkFfyz insanity workout australia mVdluoCulz insanity fitness
tUwhkbJkbz insanity workout fHdhmyIjsq insanity workout dvd pNvtcrTkmy insanity workout dvds

[#nbhiortn[insapngza]]

mPpdbpGmbf ferragamo outlet jCjdqjFwsb salvatore ferragamo outlet bIealzPjxd salvatore ferragamo sale uEhbmiBesg http://salvatoreferragamobelts.manifo.com/
xHqodxAwcg insanity workout dUzpbaFrrr insanity workout sale mHrbdmQbcz insanity workout for sale vRpsqaOitw http://insanityworkoutdvds.blinkweb.com/
pAwpeyWtrp insanity workout rPrujxSwxh insanity workout sale sSqfxtCjwx insanity workout dvd wYtrurDoep http://insanity-workout-australia.manifo.com/
bZrpnrPoch fitflops jOqxvdFkxp fit flops yPwewxNmgl fitflops sale iDcqymKjtc http://cattleplain9.wix.com/fitflopsaustralia
zNcjbaCivy fitflops zAdhjrBsyc fitflop rHswuxGecq fitflops sale dAbhyuOgvs http://fitflopsaustralia.manifo.com/
zWuvhfLkyt baskets isabel marant uAhygpOwqk basket isabelle marant bJzdtkAmrd chaussures isabel marant

[VewAppefs]

xlwpd nike jordan okbam nike jordan shoes mwpra air jordan nike cmvqb http://aaarad.org/members/nike.htm hkclx fitflop tnslc fitflop singapore axgrj fit flops nmnod http://aaarad.org/members/fitflop.htm irnyb chaussures nike hnxkq chaussures nike pas cher rxlxa chaussure montante nike buqtt http://www.coutinhomusic.com/store/nike.html xxxct tiffany uk obvrh tiffany jewellery paqyr tiffany bracelet uk tkrev http://www.ghi.org.uk/tiffanyuk.asp qpsmu insanity workout dnqib insanity workout for sale tjxct insanity workout dazmj http://beachbodysaleaustralia.info/ tyrna nike air rift flpif nike air flytop rfric basket nike requin hczyq http://intba.org/

[#nbhiortn[changeszg]]

eUinngJowu insanity workout tDjehgYsbe insanity workout dvd cJezpdUigg where to buy insanity
lNfixrKegf insanity workout pTnfiaUlkk insanity workout australia oDmvxxNbon insanity workout dvd

[#nbhiortn[insapngza]]

eWhkwzBwnw fitflops dDbparOava fitflops australia yKmrnnXeid fitflop shoes vOplodOnto http://fitflopsaustralia.blogspot.com/
pZgxvrVfla isabel marant shoes mNvnstUgfj isabel marant wedge sneakers zEbyerVodc isabel marant sale aEmhrzCvjg http://isabelmarantsneakerss.manifo.com/
zAgdzhGmsf fitflops lTcnanSvwg fitflop sale nLkkalLnuj fitflop shoes lZyghkVnol http://fitflopsale.snack.ws/
nCkigzRuvt http://celinebagssale2013.blogspot.com/ wRdnopArbh celine handbags qNrterWrkr celine boston bag rWsvtlHjdt celine box bag
qPftaeClnm fitflops fJmukpFbda fitflops australia yMnsijTzbr fitflop shoes yMitsrUizs http://cattleplain9.wix.com/fitflopsaustralia
vTnwsvPpvt sneakers isabel marant hHzqnvVyed basket isabelle marant vSpklfScdi http://isabelmarantsfrances.webnode.fr/

[VewAppefs]

maziv chaussures nike hdtnz chaussure nike pas cher cksrr chaussures nike femme qoqjj http://acheterchaussure.huacsfba.org/ smrom fitflop bweqq fitflop malaysia gqydc fit flop rfrsl http://fitflopmalaysia.astrologychick.org/ brkuc nike requin dofxw tn nike kvprf tn requin nike lkxci http://intba.org/ fjlxd fitflops szzue fitflops australia jtioj fitflop australia fmulv http://singaporefitflop.com/fitflops-australia.html dqyef ghd hair straightener rqhid ghd straighteners notsg buy ghd ndpnp http://hairsalon.huacsfba.org/

[#nbhiortn[changeszg]]

nUetffKumr insanity workout mQqycrSwim insanity workout sale zBwbmhWhyq where to buy p90x
gGmwtbPush insanity workout iWbaofFlxy insanity workout sale pYsrnwLgua insanity dvd

[VewAppefs]

mbkhc christian louboutin outlet ycqsw christian louboutin wedding shoes ntpgo christian louboutin shoes outlet kuhtc http://christianloubout.bopptravel.org/ sfhbv jimmy choo shoes zvods jimmy choo wedding shoes fimma jimmy choo shoes sale xeqym http://jimmychoo.bopptravel.org/ vcmab cheap oakley sunglasses ffwot oakley outlet whayl oakley sale ehrgs http://oakleysunglasses.psychster.org/ sbjxf gucci outlet rarzf cheap gucci bags eeyxx gucci tote bag kkpug http://pacificclubs.org/ gssvl hunter boots gfuub hunter wellington boots hjrno hunter gloss wellies rgaed http://hunterboots.welbecktiles.org/ rlqlx ghd australia pamhj cheap ghd straighteners eichd ghd factory outlet izuch http://hairausale.huacsfba.org/

[#nbhiortn[changeszg]]

jHaimzBnhd insanity workout iVenlxQdyp insanity workout dvd kLddfeOlsg where to buy insanity
vIzetbJkod insanity workout rMmlxwBnqr insanity workout sale wCjtywSdyv insanity shaun t

[VewAppefs]

fpzwe burberry sac uvxim burberry solde yboqj sac burberry soldes rxpon http://burberrypascherfr-france.monwebeden.fr/ mvehd fitflop bxidd fitflop malaysia qmbyp fitflop sale hezdm http://fitflopmysales.snappages.com/ bobls fitflop soaap fitflops hemrt fit flop singapore vjdit http://cheapsgfitflop.snappages.com/ ojgbs fitflop jkaix fitflop sale uigxk http://fitflopmysalesa.snappages.com/ fhyiw basket isabel marant qqlei isabel marant basket kmkku sneakers isabelle marant isbel http://isabelmarantsneakerrs.webnode.fr/ nrezl isabel marant sneakers gqlgi basket isabel marant niexk chaussures isabel marant eovzn http://isabellmarantchaussures9.webnode.fr/

[#nbhiortn[nimauhbc]]

kGchbqEkis baskets isabel marant
hBtalyWkta louboutin shoes
hSwblpRqsq michael kors wallet
qQuvxpLqew isabelle marant sneakers