Journal: Westminster Theological Journal
Volume: WTJ 63:1 (Spring 2001)
Article: Reviews Of Books
Author: Anonymous

WTJ 63:1 (Spring 2001) p. 183

Reviews Of Books

Robert B. Chisholm, Jr.: From Exegesis to Exposition: A Practical Guide to Using Biblical Hebrew. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1998. 304 pp. $19.99, paper.

In the first chapter of this book Robert B. Chisholm, Jr. (Professor of Old Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary) sets a lofty goal for himself. He proposes to build a bridge between exegesis and homiletics, which “involves learning how to do exegesis and then transforming one’s exegetical conclusions and observations into a relevant theological exposition of the text that is the backbone of a biblical, text-based sermon or lesson” (p. 9). In Chisholm’s estimation, seminaries do not adequately build this bridge, and so seminary graduates, when faced with the exigencies of pastoral or other ministries, allow their Hebrew knowledge to wane until non-existent. Without that bridge, seminary graduates are simply uninspired to “use” their Hebrew Bible.

Along these lines, Chisholm’s book does serve to inspire its readers. The book is well researched, appropriately annotated for the target audience, adequately indexed, and written in an engaging style. Chisholm’s genuine enthusiasm for Hebrew and for preaching emanates through his writing. In its almost narrative style the book differs significantly from the genre of “Hebrew grammars,” and may serve as a next step for many seminary graduates whose Hebrew phonology and morphology is still relatively intact and who are looking for a comprehensive treatment of intermediate Hebrew. Likely one of the book’s greatest strengths lies in the abundant examples Chisholm includes to illustrate every point, thus doing what I believe is so important in language instruction: he models what he presents and does not simply state grammatical rules. In this sense, for anyone interested in Hebrew grammar and literary techniques, the book provides interesting and enjoyable reading. By way of minor critique, we might note that all the examples given in Hebrew script are unpointed, which may provide a slight hurdle for those who have come to depend on the vocalized text.

After the first chapter stating his perception of the problem, he proceeds through nine chapters covering a remarkable range of topics, and giving several sample exercises for the reader. The breadth of material addressed, in accord with its design as a second-year Hebrew textbook, alone commends the book for use in the classroom. For regardless of one’s opinion of Chisholm’s conclusions, Hebrew instructors now have available a single volume introducing a broad range of lexical and literary topics related to the interpretation of the Hebrew Bible.

Chapters 2–3 are preliminary to the thrust of the book. Chapter 2 lays out a brief introducti...