Review of Exegetical Journeys in Biblical Hebrew: 90 days of Guided Reading by H. H. Hardy

This review was originally published in the November 2025 edition of The Africanus Journal.

For students in language courses, avoiding a poor grade is generally enough to motivate diligent study during the first few weeks of language learning. However, when students get bogged down distinguishing Hiphils from Hophals, they may question why they are undertaking this task in the first place. Especially for those who are self-taught, sustaining the resolve to persevere in language study is difficult. One way to help students keep up their motivation is to stay connected to the scriptures. During my first Hebrew class, the teacher asked us to read a word aloud from scripture, and I felt like a kindergartener sounding it out ever so slowly, “Shh-ehh-maa-ahh, Shehh-mahh…Shema! Oh! It’s the Shema!” Tears rolled down my face as I realized these foreign letters were the beautiful text of an ancient prayer I knew and loved. The joy of discovering precious scripture reminds students of why they are undertaking this grueling task. Yet once Hebrew 1 and 2 are completed, many books of the Old Testament remain beyond the natural grasp of students. If they do not continue into interpretation and exegesis, their language skills will atrophy like unused muscles. Even when the basic course requirements are completed, it can be difficult for students to establish habits that keep them connected to the original languages.

To fill this gap, Baker Academic contracted with scholars to develop resources for Greek and Hebrew learners beyond the first year of language study. Benjamin Merkle’s Exegetical Gems from Biblical Greek (2019) and H.H. Hardy II’s Exegetical Gems from Biblical Hebrew (2019) offer insights to help students see the value in their language studies. More recently, Merkle developed Exegetical Journeys in Biblical Greek (2023), and the companion book for Hebrew is available this year. Exegetical Journeys in Biblical Hebrew: 90 days of Guided Reading (2025) rounds out these tools and provides more than exegetical insights but takes students directly to the scripture in a workbook form.

As an associate professor of Old Testament and co-author of an intermediate Hebrew grammar (Going Deeper with Biblical Hebrew), H.H. Hardy II is an excellent choice to guide Hebrew students further in their exploration of the text. After a brief introduction, the book offers 90 passages of scripture that guide the reader through a 10–15-minute exploration of the Hebrew text. Each day focuses on a few verses beginning with Genesis 1:1 and drawing from Deuteronomy, Exodus, 2 Samuel, Joshua, Isaiah, Ruth, Proverbs, and Psalms. One day’s exercise includes reading the verse(s) aloud, parsing the verbs, answering a few grammatical questions, and writing out a translation. The author provides some notes of exegesis, explains pertinent syntactical issues, and provides a short devotional commentary. Knowledge of the Hebrew gives the reader a deeper appreciation for the scripture. The book acts as a guide to remind them how their study has given them the tools necessary to interact with the text in such a deep way. After a few days, the reader covers a complete literary unit and moves on to a new set of verses.

Although it is divided into three, 30-day “Journeys” (Easy, Intermediate, Difficult), this book is not for a first semester Hebrew student. The reader starts with parsing Piel participles on the first page. Whereas Merkle’s Greek version is good to begin after Greek 1, the Hebrew version would be more suitable for use after Hebrew 2. If a traditional student takes a break over the summer before beginning interpretation or exegesis courses in the fall, they could work through all three journeys in the 90 days over the summer to keep the language fresh. Professors could suggest it at the end of Hebrew 2 concurrent with an interpretation course as a helpful devotional resource. Academic advisors could recommend this to students who need to brush up their language skills after an extended break. Because it is so well-rounded, it would be especially helpful for students preparing for proficiency exams.

Although there are many websites and tools available to those who want to continue in their studies, students can feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. Exegetical Journeys in Biblical Hebrew offers an easy-to-follow pathway to developing a consistent routine in engagement with Hebrew post-coursework. Like the Greek version it is printed as a traditional paperback book, so it is somewhat awkward to utilize as a workbook. Unfortunately, the small size of text could prove frustrating to those with vision impairments since missing a small dot in Hebrew can entirely change a word.

This book would make a perfect gift for a graduating Master of Divinity student. Since they have already done the work of language study, this allows them to reap the benefit of the investment of their time and money. Each lesson is short and encourages a daily habit of interaction in the original languages. Cultivating that practice allows a deep appreciation for the Hebrew scriptures throughout one’s life after seminary.