The second edition of Carl Brockelmann’s Lexicon Syriacum, published in 1928, is a highly reputable Syriac dictionary. However, its Latin language and the ordering of words according to triliteral Semitic roots make its use difficult for most students and scholars. Moreover, the dictionary was composed in an extremely concise manner, which meant that references were given without citing any of the text. This often makes the glosses impossible even for someone who knows Latin.

In the 81 years that have passed since the book’s publication, there have been great advances in both Aramaic and Semitic studies. Moreover, Syriac studies—especially the publication of the critical texts of classical authors, such as Ephrem—have greatly enhanced our knowledge of Syriac and have made the publication of a new and up-to-date dictionary imperative. However, because a new dictionary project does not yet exist and would take decades to complete, Sokoloff has thoroughly revised Brockelmann’s work.

This new edition gives the meanings in English, rather than Latin, added text citations and expanded the etymology, and includes two new electronic resources (English-Syriac and Text References) for the ease of the reader. An essential tool for anyone working in Syriac studies, Semitic linguistics, and biblical studies.