HebrewBible app for iPhone and iPad

4.8 ( 2048 ratings )

Reference Education
Developer: Zev Clementson

9.99 USD

Current version: 8.1, last update: 6 years ago
First release : 02 May 2009
App size: 133.06 Mb

The Hebrew Bible iPhone application is designed for reading/studying the Hebrew Bible in either Hebrew, Aramaic (Torah only), or in a parallel translation format combining Hebrew and another language (at present, either English or French). It is also useful as a tool for improving ones knowledge of Biblical Hebrew and Biblical Aramaic. It is comprised of five main components:

1. Bible: The Hebrew Bible is accessible in several different versions (a default version is selected via iPhone preferences and it is possible to change versions while running the application as well). The first six versions listed below are included in the App, the other versions can be either accessed over the Internet or downloaded (at no additional charge). The versions that are available are:
* Hebrew (cantillation)
* Hebrew (vowels)
* Hebrew (no vowels)
* Hebrew/English (cantillation)
* Hebrew/English (vowels)
* Hebrew/English (no vowels)
* Hebrew/French
* English
* Hebrew Torah (commentary)
* Aramaic Torah (vowels)
* Aramaic Torah (no vowels)

When reading a book or chapter (regardless of the version selected), it is also possible to listen to the Hebrew version of the selected book/chapter being read by pressing the "Play" button at the top of the page. The audio readings are pronounced in Sephardi-style Hebrew. In additon to a "Book"-based reading approach, it is possible to also toggle to a "Parashah"-based approach (a Parashah is the weekly synagogue Torah/Haftarah reading). Both Ashkenazi and Sephardi Parashah readings are supported. While reading the Hebrew and Hebrew/English versions, if you touch any Hebrew word, you will be presented with a pop-up English definition. From the popup, it is also possible to display a list of all the verses in the Hebrew Bible that contain that word.

2. Words: This is useful for learning more about specific Hebrew words and for discovering related words. One can lookup words by "Root" by selecting the first two letters of the Hebrew word root. A listing will be displayed of all Hebrew words (and, optionally, Aramaic words and/or proper names) that begin with those two letters. Once the list is displayed, touching a word will open up a further level of detail about the selected word (and, optionally, all verses that contain that word or the BDB page for that word). Alternatively, one can use the "Translate" function to translate words or sentences or go directly to the word detail via the "Strongs" number lookup function. There is also a word search facility.

3. Topics: There are links to key topics (over 200 people/places/things) in the Wikipedia online encyclopedia. One can access topics by Bible book, by "Meta" topics, and a consolidated list of all topics.

4. Maps: There are maps of almost every location (over 1,000 locations) mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. It is possible to display multiple different locations on a map and to clear previously selected locations from a map. One can access Maps by Bible book or a consolidated list of all maps. By selecting a location on the map and touching the "callout detail disclosure" symbol (the "right arrow"), one can see a listing of all verses in the Hebrew Bible that mention that location.

5. BDB: The Brown–Driver–Briggs Hebrew Lexicon is probably the most commonly used Biblical Hebrew Lexicon. A complete copy of this lexicon is accessible from within the application. In additon, individual pages can be displayed via the word lookup functionality.

An Internet connection is required in order to use some content in this application but most core functionality is maintained locally.

Pros and cons of HebrewBible app for iPhone and iPad

HebrewBible app good for

This app is truly outstanding. The root function is very helpful for semitic studies Moreover the French version works perfectly with this latest update

Hello, Good soft but it would be great to have the settings remembered (i.e. keeping french as standard translation).

A very good app! Absolutely worth its money. A must-have for all who are interested in Hebrew bible, Jewish studies or ancient Northwest Semitics. As yet, I detected some tiny inconsistencies in Hebrew text presentation, which might be due to my iPhone 3, admittedly - its no serious obstacle.

Amazing app, very powerful translation and audio. Thank you to the team who developed this. Praise G-D.

the app is very good but its a pity to have to read hebrew in so little fonts.. there is no magnifyer. why dont you put in a magnifyer function, too? That would be great!!

This is a great tool to support learning Biblical Hebrew. Direct access to the BDB word reference by touching the Hebrew word. Also great to have access to audio of the Hebrew text.

Some bad moments

You can still search, and hear, but where the text displays... there is no text. I have tried reinstalling to my iphone 5 because my 4s broke. ;( no more Hebrew bible for me. If you have a 4S and under... please get this... 5 and over? Move along.

THIS PRODUCT NEED ONLINE SERVICE TO WORK. Other than that it is acceptable. I was hoping for a full version on the iPad itself without WiFi service needed.

This looks like a great app, but without an internet connection, its useless. The app would probably be amazing if the Bible were stored on the iPod/iPhones local memory.

For the price I am very disappointed. First, this app is very unpolished for the price. While its nice to have the audio recordings in Hebrew, the sound quality is atrocious: it sounds like a recording from 50 years ago, laden with white noise. There is also no indication of where the reader is in terms of the text. I wish there was a function to isolate what is being read or to be able to fast forward or rewind readings. It will just read a passage entirely from begging to end, there is no method of isolation for study. Furthermore, the search function is broken. I copied and pasted STRAIGHT FROM THE TEXT and it showed no results. Really? For this price? And to top it off you have to have an Internet connection? I had no idea people needed an Internet connection thousands of years ago to read the Tanakh. Finally, this isnt a real Hebrew-to-English such as those done by the Jewish Publication Society (JPS), this is just the Hebrew version pasted next to the King James Version - if you dont know Hebrew youre not getting the real translation! 

Theres a better one on the AppStore. Similar name, but its complete and 1GB for actual use. Its good, this is a toy.

This app is sluggish on my iPad 2 and crashes often. The Lexicon is just photographs of a real lexicon. Its nothing intuitive. These photographs actually make the app a larger file than necessary. Three features dont load/open: the Words, Maps and Topics sections dont load/open when i touch each icon. Im deleting this for now. Its not worth the ten dollars. Im glad I downloaded it when it was free. I recommend downloading Olive Tree Bible Reader and getting the free Hebrew Bible there. You can also download QuickMem Hebrew app which is also free.

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