Wilhelm Gesenius

Heinrich Friedrich Wilhelm Gesenius ( born February 3, 1786 in Nordhausen, † October 23, 1842 in Halle an der Saale) was a theologian, scholar of the cultures and history of the Middle East and one of the foremost scholars of the ancient languages, especially Hebrew.

Life

Gesenius studied at the University of Helmstedt philosophy and theology at Heinrich Henke. He received his doctorate in theology and philosophy, was Royal Prussian consistory, since 1810 professor at the University of Halle, a member of the Berlin Academy of Sciences, the Asian societies of Paris, Great Britain and Ireland and the Philosophical Society at Cambridge.

Gesenius ' Hebrew work on language research are considered to be groundbreaking. He is one of the first to operate the study of Semitic languages ​​with a scientific claim. A moderate rationalist he fell so in opposition to the contemporary attitude, the Semitic languages ​​are sanctified. Comprehensive historical, archaeological and religious-historical knowledge provide additional authority to his works.

Lexicography and grammar were his main areas. The influence of his work extends to the present day. The Hebrew Grammar ( Gesenius ), and the Hebrew and Aramaic pocket dictionary on the Old Testament are still laid in reprographic reprints of the early 20th century editions published and used. Currently, a new edition of the dictionary will be held, the first subband was published in 1987.

His grave is located in the town cemetery in Hall. ( Division I grave 227)

Works

  • Symbolae observationum in Ovidii Fastos, novae Fastorum editionis specimen. Dissertation Göttingen 1806
  • Essay on the Maltese language. 1810
  • Hebrew - German Concise Dictionary of the Old Testament scriptures with the inclusion of geographical names and the Chaldean words beym Daniel and Ezra. Tle 2, 1810/1812
  • Hebrew grammar. In 1813. 28th edition Leipzig 1909 Internet Archive. Reprint: Hildesheim 1983, Georg Olms Verlag, ISBN 3-487-00325-2
  • New Hebrew - German pocket dictionary on the Old Testament with the inclusion of the biblical Chaldaismus. Leipzig 1815, from 10th edition 1886: Hebrew and Aramaic pocket dictionary on the Old Testament. Digitized version of the 16th edition, 1915 reprint. 18th ed Berlin 2008, Springer Verlag, ISBN 3- 540-78599 -X
  • Hebrew reading book. 1814, 7th edition 1844
  • History of the Hebrew language and script. 1815 Internet Archive
  • De pentateuchi Samaritani origine, indole et auctoritate Commentatio philologico - critica. Hall 1815, Internet Archive
  • Hebrew elementary book. 1813
  • Detailed grammatical and critical doctrine of the Hebrew language. With comparison of related dialects. 1817
  • The prophet Isaiah, translated and accompanied a philological- critical and historical commentary. 3 T., 1820 f
  • Thesaurus criticus linguae philologicus hebraeae et chaldaeae Vet test. Vol I, 1828, Vol II, 1839, Vol III, 1, 1842, Vol III, 2, 1853, Indices, 1858, the last edited 2 vols. v. E. Roediger
  • Paläolographische studies of Phoenician and Punic script. 1835
  • Scripturae linguaeque Phoeniciae monumental quotquot super sunt edita et inedita ad autographorum optimorumque exemplorum fidem. 3 parts, Leipzig 1837
Heinrich Philipp Konrad Henke Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie Neue Deutsche Biographie Integrated Authority File
820649
de