Biblical Aramaic

Below are recommended links and resources for the study of biblical Aramaic (as found in Daniel and Ezra).

My preferred combination of materials are these first two books:

Biblical Aramaic for Biblical Interpreters

This book presumes 1 year of Biblical Hebrew background, and then nicely lays out a review of Hebrew grammar on one page, and the facing page describes the similarities and differences with Aramaic. Helpful, colour-coded examples are useful.

This book is aligned with the Daily Dose of Aramaic website, which is highly recommended.

Biblical Aramaic: A Reader and Handbook

Presents all of the Aramaic texts with comprehensive notes and parsing. Includes an abundance of vocab lists to facilitate learning or referencing words by various categories or attributes.

These two resources are the more expensive setup, but provide an excellent combination of accessibility and comprehensive notes. Instead, as a more economical/compact option, this one-stop shop can also be recommended:

Basics of Biblical Aramaic, Second Edition: Complete Grammar, Lexicon, and Annotated Text

For those familiar with Basics of Biblical Hebrew, but the same author, this textbook will feel right at home. In addition to a fairly thorough grammar (perhaps more than necessary for basic reading?), this book also contains all the Aramaic texts with some notes–though not nearly as comprehensive as what’s presented in the above Reader.

Biblical Aramaic: A Reader

Although I haven’t personally seen this volume, I’ve happily used other works in this series. The large print version gives good space for making notes and interacting with the text. As a step-up from BHS, this is an affordable Reader version with vocab footnotes and a glossary.

The Hebrew Old Testament, Reader’s Edition

If you’re instead looking for a Reader’s version that covers the entire Old Testament, this is my favourite of the various options. Pricey, but has a great font, vocab & parsing footnotes, and proper nouns encoded in grey type.

Daily Dose of Aramaic (website)

Very similar to the popular Daily Dose of Hebrew, this website contains several series of short videos that work through both Aramaic grammar as well as Aramaic texts (Daniel, Ezra, NT uses of Aramaic, etc.).

20 grammar lessons (some with several parts) can be found in their Learn section.

2-minute videos which work through a variety of texts can be found in their Read section.

Endorsements

“Immediately after reading the introduction to the book, I knew I was in for a treat, and that this book would really help me in where I’m currently working…. This book was written not merely to inform the follower, but to equip him as well…. This book intends to be comprehensive in nature, addressing how the follower … Continue reading Zach Barnhart, blogger

― Zach Barnhart, blogger

“In Embracing Followership, Hamlin has punctuated the important truth of followership—that followership is a matter of function not value. In other words, a follower’s value is found in his living out his relational followership. Hamlin gives tremendously practical ways to live this out in the context of a healthy leader/follower team.”

― Dr. Ed Scheuerman, Lancaster Bible College

“Written as a response to the leader-centric culture we live in, Allen takes his readers through what he calls true followership and how we as a culture have skewed our view of what it means to be a follower and what it means to follow well. Ironically who I think this should be read by … Continue reading Garrhet Sampson, writer & entrepreneur

― Garrhet Sampson, writer & entrepreneur

“For the sake of our personal lives, our companies, our churches, our organizations, our cities, our nation, and our world, we need more and more people (a vast majority in fact) who are not only willing to embrace their role as followers, but to thrive in their role. This book helps lay down the tracks … Continue reading Mark Oshman, blogger

― Mark Oshman, blogger

Read more reflections about Embracing Followership on the Endorsements page.