An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew by Thomas O. Lambdin (1971 Hardcover w/o Dust Jacket) 

 

 

•    Author:                           Thomas Oden Lambdin (1927–2020) 

•    Publisher:            Charles Scribner's Sons   New York, NY    U.S.A    1971  

 

The choice of vocabulary and grammar, in this book, is essentially an introduction to the prose, not the poetical language. Generous use of transliteration is meant to serve three purposes: 1) it enables the reader to perceive Hebrew as a language and not an exercise in decipherment, 2) it removes the obstacles to mastering innumerable pages of abstract phonological and orthographic details, and 3) facilitate the memorization of the paradigms.   By keeping the grammatical discussion at a relatively unsophisticated level the text can be used for study without a teacher.

 

Designed to be a full year college text on the topic. Preface, Contents, Introduction, 55  Lessons, 5 Appendices, both Hebrew-English & English-Hebrew Glossaries, and Index. xxviii + 345pp. 

 

Thomas Oden Lambdin (1927–2020) was a leading scholar of the Semitic and Egyptian languages.  He received his PhD in 1952 from John Hopkins and retired as a Professor of Semitic Languages for Harvard.  He is best remembered for the quality of his introductory texts on Biblical Hebrew, Coptic, Ge'ez, and Gothic languages. 

 

Hardcover has gray paper boards with metallic red ink lettering on covers and spine, but no DJ.  Handled with care, at first looks very good or better with square corners and minor shelf-wear.  However, this book has been heavily studied with notes in margins and underlining in text from Lesson One through Twenty  (pages 1 - 94).   Page-edges show this portion of the book handled extensively in this area - some pages dog-earred. Remainder of book (except glossaries) look untouched.   End-pages have notes & post-it notes.  Study aids and notes laid in.  Interior is complete and tightly bound.  Heavily used but not abused.   

 

 

•    Size:  4to - over 9¾ - 12" tall,      373pp.

•    Condition:  Good minus Hardcover without  Dust Jacket  –  Always privately owned.  Extensive notes and highlighting in book almost every page through lesson 18 (1^st 81 pages of text)    

 

 

Copyright 1971.  Printed in U.S.A.  Print-line indicates this copy from 25th printing in 1976.  ISBN: 0-02-367250-1.  LCCN:  75-100128.  No MSR. 

 

 

Notes on Condition/Edition ratings:

 

Fine – means like new, but any book produced over 10 years ago isn't “brand new” or even “new.”  Using the same term as coin collectors, “can’t guarantee it is uncirculated, but it looks very much like it could be.”  Booksellers need similar word to describe this...

 

Like New – A new book, no marks no damage (except maybe remainder marks or shelf-wear) except not obtained directly from the publisher or in packaging from the publisher.  Same sort of thing about grading as Fine above except generally used for newer publication dates for titles still in print. 

 

Good – How someone else might take care of a book. Also referred to as “standard.” This is the most likely condition for books of this age & title, shows the book has been read or previously owned.  

 

 Acceptable – How a young child, student or a librarian might take care of a book. (Either trying to make sure someone doesn't steal it by plastering ownership everywhere, filled it with copious notes or a book that has been damaged.)

 

Poor – Combination of “acceptable” factors above. Most likely with water damage as well. Might have missing pages (you should ask).  Usually requires repair to be usable. 

 

Near – Means “almost” in an optimistic sense. e.g., “Near Fine” means very good, but on the high end.

 

1st Thus – Unique somehow, maybe 1st paperback, new illustrator, misprint or even the 1st edition. A collector might desire this copy for their collection.

 

 

Thanks for looking!