Arthur Ernest Cowley

“ In order to avoid the uncertainty arising from the lack of vowels to distinguish forms consisting of the same consonants (for the vowel-points were not yet invented) , the aramaising use of the reflexive conjugations (Hithpaʽel, Nithpaʽel) for the internal passives (Puʽal, Hophʽal) became common; particles were used to express the genitive and other relations, and in general there was an endeavour to avoid the obscurities of a purely consonantal writing. ”

“ For a time Christian scholars still leaned mainly on the Rabbis. But a more independent spirit soon arose, of which le Mercier in the 16th, and Drusius early in the 17th century, may be taken as representatives. In the 17th century too the cognate languages were studied by J. Selden, E. Castell (Heptaglott lexicon) and E. Pococke (Arabic) in England, Ludovicus de Dieu in Holland, S. Bochart in France, J. Ludolf (Ethiopic) and J. H. Hottinger (Syriac) in Germany, with advantage to the Hebrew grammar and lexicon. ”

“ The real meaning of the word ʽibhrī must ultimately be sought in the root ʽabhar, to pass across, to go beyond, from which is derived the noun ʽebher, meaning the “farther bank” of a river. The usual explanation of the term is that of Jewish tradition that ʽibhrī means the man “from the other side,” i.e. ”