Looking for a great Hebrew Lexicon

Today, I rely on TWOT, but would like to increase my library of Hebrew Lexicons. I do have considerable modern Hebrew knowledge, since I live in Israel and speak and minister in Hebrew, but I am looking for something that give me a better tool for digging into the original words.

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Comments

Keith Pang

HALOT is a great Hebrew Lexicon, considered at the top by many scholars.

Mark Smith

Today, I rely on TWOT

I am sure you know this, but TWOT is not a lexicon but a study of Hebrew words (it's a word book). Of course, this is valuable in its own right, but a lexicon gives less discussion and space to each entry, since it's primary aim is to help translators properly translate the text. TWOT and others like it, The Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament, The New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis, and The Theological Lexicon of the Old Testament (which is not really a lexicon but a theological word book), has as its aim a study of important or leading Hebrew words. This takes the discussion back to parallels in other ancient (esp. Semitic) languages, usage in the OT, and sometimes use in the DSS, and in secular Hebrew. Hebrew lexicons cover all the Hebrew words in the Bible. TWOT and the others like it cover selected words.

For basic meanings (and illustrations of those meanings in the Hebrew Bible), and for complete coverage of the Hebrew testament, a lexicon like HALOT is a good investment. If you are looking for something more like TWOT the three I mentioned above are top candidates.

Zsombor Henter

Thank you Mark, very helpful comment! [Y]

Dave Hooton

DBL Hebrew is a more affordable lexicon with context sensitive meanings.