KIMCHI, DAVID (RaDa”K). Sepher Ha’sharashim- Dictionarium Hebraicum [Biblical lexicon and grammar]

The formation of Hebrew grammatical rules was essential to facilitate the study and understanding of the Bible. The foundation of Hebrew grammar and lexicography was laid by Sa’adiah Gaon in the 10th century. This codification resulted in a revival of Hebrew as a literary language. A century later, David Kimchi’s purpose in composing the Sharashim (the second section of his philological treatise the Michlol), was “to provide a middle ground between the lengthy and detailed treatises of Jonah ibn Jonach and Judah ben David Chayyuj, and the extreme brevity and concision of Abraham ibn Ezra.” Kimchi’s chief contribution to Hebrew grammar lies in the popularization of such innovations as the division of vowels into five long and five short, the treatment of the Nifal as the passive of the Kal, and the distinction of the Vav Consecutive from the Vav Conjunctive. The notability of the Sharashim caused the works of his predecessors to fall into oblivion. See EJ, X col. 1002.