A Social History of Hebrew: Its Origins Through the Rabbinic Period (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780300176681)

More than simply a method of communication shared by a common people, the Hebrew language was always an integral part of the Jewish cultural system and, as such, tightly interwoven into the lives of the prophets, poets, scribes, and priests who used it. In this unique social history, William Schniedewind examines classical Hebrew from its origins in the second millennium BCE until the Rabbinic period, when the principles of Judaism as we know it today were formulated, to view the story of the Israelites through the lens of their language.
Considering classical Hebrew from the standpoint of a writing system as opposed to vernacular speech, Schniedewind demonstrates how the Israelites' long history of migration, war, exile, and other momentous events is reflected in Hebrew's linguistic evolution. An excellent addition to the fields of biblical and Middle Eastern studies, this fascinating work brings linguistics and social history together for the first time to explore an ancient culture.

Author: William M. Schniedewind
ISBN-10: 0300176686
ISBN-13: 9780300176681
Publisher: Yale University Press
Language: English
Published: 12/10/2013
Pages: 280
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.25lbs
Size: 10.10h x 6.30w x 1.10d

Review Citation(s):
Choice 08/01/2014