Classical Syriac for Hebraists

Second, revised edition

by Takamitsu Muraoka

Book cover: Classical Syriac for Hebraists

Extent: 162 pages

Publisher: Harrassowitz Verlag

Subjects: Biblical Studies, Language & Linguistics

Series: Subsidia et Instrumenta Linguarum Orientis

Series volume number: 6

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(February 2014)

ISBN: 9783447100465

6.65 x 9.45 inches

Price: $43.00

In stock

Classical Syriac for Hebraists is intended for people who already have a basic knowledge of Biblical Hebrew and want to study Syriac, an important ancient Semitic language, a dialect of Aramaic. Syriac is the official language of the Syriac-speaking churches and has a vast amount of literature representing diverse areas of human knowledge: ancient translations of the Bible and related early documents, biblical commentaries, theological treatises, ecclesiastical histories, legends about saints, scientific texts covering philosophy, natural sciences, grammar, translations from Greek documents and many others. With previous knowledge of Hebrew assumed and related phenomenon in Hebrew frequently mentioned, the student can be expected to acquire reading knowledge of Syriac with reasonable ease and speed.


Classical Syriac for Hebraists is intended for people who already have a basic knowledge of Biblical Hebrew and want to study Syriac, an important ancient Semitic language, a dialect of Aramaic. Syriac is the official language of the Syriac-speaking churches and has a vast amount of literature representing diverse areas of human knowledge: ancient translations of the Bible and related early documents, biblical commentaries, theological treatises, ecclesiastical histories, legends about saints, scientific texts covering philosophy, natural sciences, grammar, translations from Greek documents and many others. With previous knowledge of Hebrew assumed and related phenomenon in Hebrew frequently mentioned, the student can be expected to acquire reading knowledge of Syriac with reasonable ease and speed. The chrestomathy presents a selection of eleven documents including not only passages of the Bible, but also biblical commentaries and theological discussions, humorous fables and a grammatical treatise, all original Syriac compositions. The texts are fully or partly vocalised, provided with grammatical annotations with constant cross referencing to the appropriate sections of the grammar. A glossary to facilitate studying of these texts is appended.

  • By (author) Takamitsu Muraoka

"...This second edition of Muraoka's Classical Syriac for Hebraists is a welcome addition, with its more user-friendly format and updated bibliography. As its name infers, this volume remains one of the few grammars of Syriac so thoroughly designed to accommodate Hebraists. Similarly, this volume retains many useful features, such as links to Noldeke's grammar, which were so helpful in the original edition. With this second edition, Muraoka guarantees that Classical Syriac for Hebraists will remain a valuable and accessible resource for students of Syriac." --Jonathan Loopstra, Capital University, Review of Biblical Literature, 2.8.2016