A note of caution from Seth Sanders @nabalkattu.bsky.social. Perhaps you shouldn’t burn your old ANE history books quite yet!
bsky.app/profile/naba...

It should also be noted that the discovery in western Syria at Tell Umm-el Marra moves the discussion of the place of invention northward away from an Egyptian context, as the previous evidence had suggested.

The date of the invention of the alphabet keeps getting pushed earlier and earlier. If this archaeological and epigraphic analysis holds, we will be revising our understanding into the early Bronze Age! That’s at least a half millennium before the previous data allow.
phys.org/news/2024-11...

If you find yourself in San Diego on Friday morning (22 November 2024 @ 8:30a), several academics will sit in a room and talk about Cook's new volume. It's kinda like an embodied Twitch of Bible scholars reading a book.

etsjets.org/2024-annual-...

“Students looking for direction in demystifying verbal syntax and semantics will find a valuable resource in this volume. Cook brings together his extensive insight as a scholar and his years of experience as a teacher to help readers better understand the Biblical Hebrew verb. He deftly provides clear explanations of complicated grammar and linguistic discussions with extensive examples. The Biblical Hebrew Verb will prove to be a go-to presentation for years to come.” ~H. H. Hardy II

I recommend the volume for those interested in a robust linguistic description with loads of examples.

Released today:
John Cook tackles the challenge of describing the Biblical Hebrew Verb.
bakeracademic.com/p/The-Biblic...

Here's another Open Access resource:
“Like ʾIlu Are You Wise”: Studies in Northwest Semitic Languages and Literatures in Honor of Dennis G. Pardee. H. H. Hardy II, Joseph Lam, and Eric D. Reymond, eds. SAOC 73 (Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago Press, 2022).

If you missed it, The State of Old Testament Studies (Baker Academic, 2024) was released two weeks ago! The best price is the publisher's website:
bakeracademic.com/p/The-State-...

Available as open access and in print:
H. H. Hardy II, The Development of Biblical Hebrew Prepositions, ANEM 28 (SBL Press, 2022)
cart.sbl-site.org/books/062830C
(free download at www.sbl-site.org/publications...)

Hello, Blue Sky World!

Mazel tov!

Much appreciated!