Dictionary of Classical Hebrew | DCH (9 vols.)

von David J. A. Clines

Verlage:

Sheffield Academic Press; Sheffield Phoenix Press

, 2016

The Dictionary of Classical Hebrew is a completely new and innovative dictionary. Unlike previous dictionaries, which have been dictionaries of biblical Hebrew, it is the first dictionary of the classical Hebrew language to cover not only the biblical texts but also Ben Sira, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Hebrew inscriptions. This dictionary covers the period from the earliest times to 200 CE. It lists and analyses every occurrence of each Hebrew word that occurs in texts of that period, with an English translation of every Hebrew word and phrase cited.

In volumes I-VIII of the Dictionary of Classical Hebrew, written between 1993 and 2011, each resource has its own English–Hebrew Index. However, this collection also includes the English–Hebrew Index and Word Frequency Table volume (Vol. IX) completed in 2016, providing a much improved gathering together of all individual volume indexes. The Index contains every word used as a translation (gloss) in the Dictionary, that is, all the words printed in bold. In addition—a feature not seen before in Hebrew dictionaries—beneath each listed word are noted all the Hebrew words it translates, together with the volume and page reference of the relevant article.

Key Features

• Completely new and innovative dictionary
• Covers the period from the earliest times to 200 CE
• Covers the biblical texts, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Hebrew inscriptions
• Brings together a comprehensive index to volumes 1-8 of the Cline's Dictionary of Classical Hebrew
• Provides word frequency tables for Ancient Hebrew vocabulary
• Includes Hebrew words outside the biblical Hebrew corpus

Among its special features:

• A list of the nonbiblical texts cited (especially the Dead Sea Scrolls)
• A word frequency index for each letter of the alphabet
• A substantial bibliography (from vol. 2 onward)
• An English–Hebrew index in each volume

Endorsements

The praise of BDB in 1892 may be repeated for this new dictionary. It is indeed ‘a landmark and a glory for the generation which produced [it].’

—C. S. Rodd, editor, Expository Times

Sheffield is to be congratulated on a remarkable achievement. Volume one proves beyond doubt that The Dictionary of Classical Hebrew is going to combine the strengths of the Gesenius-BDB tradition—thoroughness, comprehensiveness, meticulous ‘old-fashioned’ textual scholarship—with impeccable twentieth-century linguistic theory.

—J. F. A. Sawyer, Society for Old Testament Study Book List

If there is anything sensational about the contemporary study of ancient Hebrew, then one must say: It is in book form, and the book is called the Sheffield Dictionary of Classical Hebrew. Absolutely indispensable!

—Bernhard Lang, editor, Internationale Zeitschrift für Bibelwissenschaft und Grenzgebiete

About David J. A. Clines

David J. A. Clines is professor emeritus, Department of Biblical Studies, University of Sheffield.