Mind Your Syntax: Your Guide to the Best Hebrew Grammars

At the heart of all effective interpretation of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament (HB/OT) lies a nuanced understanding of syntax (discourse).1 Syntax involves diligently studying the way(s) in which words, phrases, clauses, and sentences relate to one another to create meaning.2 Life-changing exegesis of Scripture requires more than merely being able to discern elementary phonology, morphology, and vocabulary.3 In the words of Bill T. Arnold and John H. Choi, “achieving a deep-level reading [of Hebrew] requires an [acute] understanding of syntactical relationships, a topic that beginning grammars simply cannot cover in detail.”4 This guide for second-year(-plus) Hebrew students helps to bridge the gap to some more intermediate/advanced reference works.5 The following resources are arranged roughly according to their level of technicality, depth, and pedagogical sensitivity.6 Readers will have to discern for themselves what level of proficiency in Hebrew grammar and syntax they would like to obtain overall. One must always keep in mind, however, “the ultimate goal of … Hebrew study: to know and love the Triune God and to love people who are made in his image.”7 Ad fontes!8 Table of con...