Webster's New World Hebrew Dictionary : Hebrew/English-English/Hebrew (Transliterated) (English and Hebrew Edition) Paperback – January 1, 1992

I know it will seem confusing for people that the reviews are all over the place on this dictionary, but I'm still throwing in my two cents. I'm talking here to first-year Hebrew students. I ordered this a lousy week ago, and I've used it constantly. I'm learning Hebrew/Aramaic online at Jerusalem University in a wonderful class, but face it, you're still doing a lot on your own. I've lost all my Hebrew from college, and I'm trying to get it back. I've expanded my library of books from college, so I've got them all and then some, the BDB lexicon, several books on Old Testament and general Hebrew grammar, etc. I'll be using them, but later. Right now, the oddity of this book is great for a newbie, and very clever. I ordered it mostly because I wanted the simple English-to-Hebrew dictionary that's the back half. Anyway, I was willing to take a chance on the goofball concept of the front half, since it's hard to look up Hebrew words at first in academic dictionaries if you don't know the root. But the front's not so goofball. For example, when my Hebrew teacher says something right before she signs off, and I don't know what the word meant, and I want to learn it, well, I know what it sounded like. So, I look it up in the front half, in plain English (or thereabouts) and have yet to have any trouble finding it. Same thing when I hear a word in the Hebrew folk songs I've started listening to. (I'll never lose another language - I listen to French pop music all the time to keep my French toned.)I know the proper way to do this is the system called "transliteration" that, I warn you, is going to be tough to grasp at first. You'll see in your textbook the word in Hebrew letters, the word in transliteration symbols, the word in a general pronunciation that isn't enough like a regular dictionary, and then the word in English. Transliteration is a very old system, of which there are several, in which accepted symbols on or around letters in English tell you the Hebrew letter sound - example, letters that can have two sounds based on whether or not there's a "daghesh," or dot in the center of the letter, are represented by the letter in English with or without a line above or below it that tells you to say a hard "k" sound or a "ch" like in Bach. Sound confusing? It is at first. I've been in class eight weeks and I'm just starting to get comfortable with it. So I find it a little annoying when other reviewers are griping that this system isn't "proper" transliteration. How's that going to help you if you're just starting out?Take my word for it. For a new student, you'll find a use for this. Get all academic later.

I have been looking for a Hebrew dictionary that gives the gender of nouns (i.e., masculine or feminine). This one provides that key information. Some of the reviewers that dislike the transliteration aspect of the entries should have examined the content prior to purchase. I am able to read Hebrew, so the fact the dictionary provides the correct spelling in Hebrew (in addition to the transliteration) without nikud is not a detraction to its value for me personally. I look forward to receiving it tomorrow and will revise this opinion if for any reason I change my mind, either more positively or negatively. I suppose the ideal Webster's NewWorld Hebrew Dictionary would have spelling with and without nikud, plus transliteration, and the parts of speech identifier, especially the gender of nouns. This product at this stage is almost completely ideal, yet this iteration meets my personal needs.

I enjoy this dictionary. I also own the Oxford and a variety of other Hebrew dictionaries (and an Aramaic one). I like it as an adjunct to others I have. For one thing, if I am not sure of the precise niqud of a word or phrase this dictionary gives it as a transliteration. That's helpful. It's excellent in giving colloquial phrases, by the way.This is the only dictionary I have ever picked up and just begun to read for the fun of it. That's probably because seeing the English letters changes the gestalt for me, this despite the fact that I read Hebrew very well, and speak it very well, too. I like to know that I am seeing clearly the pronunciation of a new Hebrew word by reading the transliteration. (Of course, I can look up words more easily in a non-transliterated Hebrew-letter dictionary, which is what I use my Oxford for.) I want to add that after each transliteration the Hebrew word is spelled out in Hebrew letters, so you will know if it's an aleph or an ayin, a chet or a chaf.This dictionary may not be for everyone. For me it fulfills the main function of making crystal clear the niqud of an unfamiliar word. Aside from that I find it a fun dictionary. It's 827 pp. a pretty hefty tome, and a bargain.

Print is large enough to read easily. Many helps included such as the Hebrew calendar, days of the week, etc in the Introduction.However there are no vowel symbols under the Hebrew alephbet.

When I look at negative reviews, all I have to say is, not every book or dictionary is appropriate for every use under the sun! This is not a dictionary for a fluent or near fluent speaker, hence, the transliteration!!!I have chosen to learn Hebrew conversation first and follow with the written language. I want to focus on learning to use the language verbally which is, in my opinion, the most difficult and more important mode of language use.THIS DICTIONARY IS BRILLIANT! I can learn to speak the language because of the transliteration available. I want to pronounce the words without the using the international pronunciation standard. I don't know if all non-Latin alphabetic languages have transliteration dictionaries like this--but I would think there are many people who would purchase them if there were.I am learning from three different Israeli tutors online and this is the perfect complement to their great help.

The English to Hebrew portion of the book serves me well. It gives, sort of, the meaning behind the definition, a plural form for most words and with verbs a conjugation or two. Not only do I have two copies, I have given this book as a gift to other friends trying to improve in the language.Now the Hebrew to English portion, to me, it not useful. The use transliterations which are difficult for me to deal with. I tried using their rules a couple of times and gave up. I do browse the Heb-Eng section and find interesting words. However, in my opinion, it is useless.