Noting that advances in the study of the Quran would not be possible without the deliberate study of Arabic vocabulary along the lines of the classical lexica of biblical languages, Jeffery began his work in this regard with the study of borrowed words in the Quran. Since the Arabic peoples of the Quranic period had contact with those of surrounding nations, it was only natural that the language would reflect this contact. Although a truncated version of a much longer work, this handbook has been repeatedly used by those who wish to familiarize themselves with the specific Arabic that derives from Arabia’s neighbors. Set up in a basic dictionary format, the book presents words in Arabic, with transliteration, and defines the words in great detail. As useful today as when it was first published, this volume will be welcomed by students of Arabic and especially those who are concerned with its relationship to foreign tongues.

Arthur Jeffery (1892-1959) taught at Columbia University, Union Theological Seminary, and at the School of Oriental Studies at the American University at Cairo. He is best known for his studies of the Quran.