Exercises
Proper use of all of the tools for the study of biblical Hebrew will allow you to understand and translate any Hebrew biblical text, and to appreciate its problems and ambiguities. Though some of these tools may appear daunting, they all become easier to use as you begin to use them frequently. The exercises that follow are essential for getting acquainted with them; it is vital that you read the introductions to each of the tools you use before you begin to use it; this will save you from much frustration. The first exercise highlights a prose passage, and focusses on BHS and BDB. The second, on a poetic passage, is broader, and incorporates the biblical grammars in more detail. Both the second and the third exercises incorporate the use of multiple critical editions of their respective text. These exercises will need to be completed in a library that has the full set of tools for studying biblical texts — this is the only way to become a competent user of these resources.
Exercise on Exodus 1:1-7
With the help of the English key to the BHS, decipher the following notes: 1a, 2a, 5a, 5c. Assuming that the notes in BHS are relatively complete, write out (without vocalization) the text of Exodus 1:1— 5 as it appears in the Samaritan Pentateuch. Characterize the differences between the MT and the Samaritan Pentateuch.
What is the meaning of the words אֵת and וּבֵיתוֹ in v. 1? Where did you find these definitions in BDB? (Cite page number, then root, then number and if relevant, letter.)
Where did you find the form נָ֑פֶשׁ (with that vocalization) in BDB? What kind of a form is it?
How many homonyms are there for the root עצם in BH according to BDB? According to HALOT? Which עצם fits the meaning of v. 7? How do you know? Optional: Where in Mandelkern and in Even-Shoshan did you find the personal names אָשֵׁר (v. 4) and זְבוּלֻן (v. 3)? (Cite page and column number.)
V. 7 uses the expression בִּמְאֹד מְאֹד. Where else is that expression found? What does it mean? Note the tools that you used to answer this question.
Let's imagine that you had difficulty parsing the verb וַתִּמָּלֵא. Which of the tools could help you out? (Be comprehensive!) Which is most useful?
V. 7 contains the set of verbs פָּרוּ וַיִּשְׁרְצוּ וַיִּרְבּוּ וַיַּעַצְמוּ. Are these verbs elsewhere all used together? What are the implications of your examination of these verbs used elsewhere for your understanding of v. 7?
How would you translate the וָו of (v. 5) וְיוֹסֵף הָיָה בְמִצְרָיִם׃? Justify.
Optional (more difficult): As noted in BHS note 5a, there is some variation between וַיְהִי and וַיִּהְיוּ at the beginning of v. 5. Are both of these readings possible in BH? Which is preferable? Why?
Exercise on Song of Songs 3
In v. 1, are the verbs בקשׁ and מצא a usual pair? Cite examples. What tools could you use to look this up—be comprehensive.
What are the differences between the notes of BHS and BHQ to this verse?
Explain the sense of the cohortatives in the verse, citing the appropriate discussions in Gesenius, Joüon-Muraoka, and Waltke-O’Connor. How did you find these paragraphs?
Explain the components of מְצָא֙וּנִי֙ in v. 3, and how and why the vowels have changed.
What is the name of the cantillation mark found with מְצָא֙וּנִי֙, and why is it doubled? Cite the relevant paragraphs in the grammars.
In v. 4, how would you translate עַד־שֶׁ֤הֲבֵיאתִיו֙ Justify the English tense of your translation, citing the grammars.
What is the gender of the suffix of אֶתְכֶ֜ם in verse 5? Justify, citing the grammars.
Where else is the phrase בְּנ֤וֹת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ used, in both the singular and the plural? Does the phrase mean the same thing in all of its occurrences?
What is the singular of the noun found in בִּצְבָא֔וֹת? Are there any other nouns that go through the same change between the singular and plural?
What is the binyan of each of the verbs in the phrase אִם־תָּעִ֧ירוּ ׀ וְֽאִם־תְּעֽוֹרְר֛וּ? Difficult: Using a computer Bible program, find other cases where similar verb alternation of the same verb is found.
Exercise on the Text-Criticism of Proverbs
Translate the MT of Proverbs 1:18. In which Bible versions can you find the MT? How does Fox render the verse in his eclectic edition? Why? Do you agree?
Translate 11:25. Explain in plain English the BHS, BHQ, and Fox notes to this verse.
Look at Proverbs 31:24-27 in the three editions. How do they differ? In what different ways do these Bibles present the evidence? If you were putting together an edition of Proverbs, how would you order these verses, and why?
Exercise on Habakkuk 2*
Read Hab 2:1 and translate it provisionally. What major issues do you see in the verse, and what tools would you use to try to resolve them?
Rewrite this verse according to BHS. Why has BHS made the decisions it has made? Do you agree with them?
How does BHQ differ from BHS?
Where do the different lexica treat the word מצור? How does the placement of the word fit the principles that are found in the lexicon? Do BDB, HALOT and DCH agree on how different roots exist in biblical Hebrew for the word מצור? Which lexicon do you think is correct?
Where do the different lexica list the root תּוֹכַחְתִּֽי, and why? What is the historical root of this noun? Cite a paragraph in one of the grammars that explains why, if the initial root letter listed in some lexica is yod, a waw appears as the second letter.
Read Hab 2:3 and try to translate it. What major issues do you see in the verse, and what tools would you use to try to resolve them?
How do the different lexica treat the word יפח? Be sure to cite at least BDB, HALOT and DCH. Why has the treatment of the word changed between BDB and the more recent lexica? What can you learn from the articles cited on this in DCH?
Explain the two BHS notes to this verse (ignore the words “et apertio”), and explain their logic.
Do you find the notes to this verse in BHQ more helpful? Why or why not?
*This exercise on Habakkuk 2 is based on one used by Dr. Itamar Kislev, of University of Haifa, which he was kind enough to share with me.