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Rating: 
Summary: The best resource
Review: The best English lexicon of biblical Hebrew & Aramaic, KBL is also easier to use than the classic BDB. Words are listed alphabetically, rather than grouped by root, with cross-references to other words from the same root (no more trying to figure out a noun's putative "verbal root"). Akkadian tends to dominate the etymological information, rather than Arabic), along with Ugaritic. Glosses tend to be traditional, although references within the articles and the extensive supplementary bibliography (84 pages; alphabetically by author) allow you to find narrative lexical discussions. The Aramaic section is outstanding, with citations ranging far beyond biblical Aramaic. Although some might be tempted to begin with an "intermediate" lexicon such as Holladay, KBL's layout, clarity, and wealth of information makes this appropriate for both beginning students, pastors, teachers, and other scholars.
Rating:
Summary: The best resource
Review: The best English lexicon of biblical Hebrew & Aramaic, KBL is also easier to use than the classic BDB. Words are listed alphabetically, rather than grouped by root, with cross-references to other words from the same root (no more trying to figure out a noun's putative "verbal root"). Akkadian tends to dominate the etymological information, rather than Arabic), along with Ugaritic. Glosses tend to be traditional, although references within the articles and the extensive supplementary bibliography (84 pages; alphabetically by author) allow you to find narrative lexical discussions. The Aramaic section is outstanding, with citations ranging far beyond biblical Aramaic. Although some might be tempted to begin with an "intermediate" lexicon such as Holladay, KBL's layout, clarity, and wealth of information makes this appropriate for both beginning students, pastors, teachers, and other scholars.
Rating: 
Summary: The New Koehler-Baumgartner
Review: The printed 5 volume set provides a fine supplementary lexicon for all students of the Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic. The volumes are finely bound, printed on acid-free paper (though not ANSI certified). Each volume is smyth sewn. Much more asthetic than using a computer screen, the printed version allows you to view all 5 volumes at the same time, even without electricity! Though it cannot compare with the search power of the CD version. The main text is in a two column format and all of the fonts are easy to read. These volumes will become the standard Hebrew Bible lexicon. Unfortunately! However they should be supplemented with other works because: (1) They do not show all of the needed etymologies, many entries display no etymological data. (Ernest Klein's work is recommended here). The data from North/West Semitics could be expanded, it is lacking in many entries. Hittite data seems deficient as well as some Sumerian data -- let's face it, they are early influences on the Semitic languages. The Koehler-Baum. work only skims the surface when it comes to etymologies. (2) Many important works by evangelical scholars (such as S. P. Tregelles, Gleason, Archer, Kyle Yates, E. Young, Robert Dick Wilson, et al) were not even utilized. Too much emphasis was given to the popular works done by secular scholars. (3) Ugaritic, Phoenician, Arabic and other fonts (scripts) are simply transliterated. They should have been printed out in their original script. Transliteration tables could have also been included for the scholars who are not familiar with these languages, but accuracy can be jeopardized when the original scripts are just transliterated, and it takes time and effort to "recompose" them. Perhaps they were transliterated so that the digital search engines could be simplified. Poor trade off! (4) Some important definitions are missing for some entries! Thus other lexicons are needed. For example: sh-r-Ha (shin, resh, he) in volume 4, pages 1652f does not show the meaning as "to shine" (from a possible Arabic root) nor as "chains" or "bracelets" as in Isaiah 3:19. (5) Textual variations are often not listed, and the Qumran literature and data could have been better utilized. (6) Foreign word indexes could have been supplied, and an index of Biblical passages could have been added. Several hands worked on the 5 volumes, and a variety of abbreviations are used for the Biblical books, making Biblical book cross references difficult even on the CD version. All in all, a very useful addition. The price is quite high and the folks at Brill often ask too much for their publications. The work NEEDS to be supplemented, and some entries are woefully deficient -- giving only a partial definition. Coupled with the poor etymological data -- this is not acceptable. Gary S. Dykes
Rating:
Summary: a standard, now even more indispensable
Review: This new (4th) edition is more user-friendly than the 3rd, while offering more detailed and up-to-date information and citations. The coverage of extra-Biblical material is extensive. What is fantastic now is that it is available on CD-ROM in Logos Library System format (logos.com), which is allowing me to search by Bible reference, or from English to Hebrew, or for grammatical terms and forms (e.g., roots). I can also do quick look-ups while reading my Hebrew Bible. No more time-waste in turning pages. Going electronic with this work was a brilliant move by the publisher.
Rating:
Summary: a standard, now even more indispensable
Review: This new (4th) edition is more user-friendly than the 3rd, while offering more detailed and up-to-date information and citations. The coverage of extra-Biblical material is extensive. What is fantastic now that it is available on CD-ROM ... , which is allowing me to search by Bible reference, or from English to Hebrew, or for grammatical terms and forms (e.g., roots). I can also do quick look-ups while reading my Hebrew Bible. No more time-waste in turning pages. Going electronic with this work was a brilliant move by the publisher....
Rating:
Summary: A Great Work of Scholarly Value for this Ancient Language
Review: This series of Lexicons give a never before seen view into ancient Aram and the language of Jesus Christ and his followers. For anyone interested in further study of the passages of the Bible, this is a collection that should be a requirement to add to your library. You will appreciate it more as you study it. The Bible and the Talmud no longer need be cryptic in their original forms.
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