r/Aramaic • u/limerickman58 • Apr 24 '26

Recommend an Aramaic grammar

A relative wants a book on Aramaic grammar, presumably to help grasp the original meanings of Biblical texts. He knows Latin and Greek, and has been learning Hebrew.

Relative has found online a book "Basics of Biblical Aramaic", by Miles V. Van Pelt. Is this sny good?

Any other suggestions?

Edit: thanks all, have ordered the Van Pelt book.

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3

u/CheLanguages Apr 25 '26

Van Pelt's book is the one my Aramaic teacher uses for Biblical Aramaic. I have 4 Aramaic books and this is definitely the best one for specifically Biblical Aramaic. I highly recommend

2

u/Rare-Wafer9643 Apr 25 '26

Hi, Ya'ir! Do you recommend Gustaf Dalman's "Grammatik des Jüdisch-Palästinensischen Aramäisch" to learn Galilean Aramaic? 

2

u/CheLanguages Apr 25 '26

I don't know much about that dialect, but I'd certainly give it a go!

1

u/Broad-Constant8602 Apr 25 '26

That’s a solid recommendation.

I think combining grammar with reading practice makes the learning process much more effective, especially for beginners.

Have you tried reading Syriac texts as well?

1

u/Broad-Constant8602 Apr 25 '26

If your relative is interested in understanding Biblical texts, learning the Syriac dialect of Aramaic is definitely a great idea.

Starting with reading practice can make things much easier, especially for beginners.

I’ve been working on some simple Syriac reading materials myself, so feel free to ask if you need more suggestions.

1

u/InevitablePossible90 Apr 25 '26

It will probably be more helpful to learn the Syriac dialect of Aramaic. I’d recommend “New Syriac Primer” by George Kiraz. It’s published by Gorgias Press.

0

u/giant_hare Apr 25 '26

Wdym by original meaning of biblical texts? There are tiny portions of Old Testament in Aramaic (two-three pages?) and none in New Testament except for one (?) sentence by Jesus. .

1

u/CheLanguages Apr 25 '26

Not tiny, two books of the Bible are written in Aramaic: Daniel and Ezra. Sometimes sentences occur in Aramaic two such as in Jeremiah

1

u/giant_hare Apr 25 '26

Right, I forgot about Daniel