Hebrew and the Semitic Languages in the work of Hervás y Panduro

Abstract

Analysis of the attitude of the ex-Jesuit Lorenzo Hervás y Panduro (18th century), regarding Hebrew and other Semitic languages. Although we have to recognize him the merit of trying to classify more than three hundred languages, using printed grammars and testimonies of missionaries and travelers, his lack of preparation as a linguist, his scarce familiarity with the Semitic languages and his way of interpreting in a literal way the biblical text had the consequence that his work didn't have in this field true scientific quality. The mixture of erroneous data and faulty interpretations is an example of the inadequacy of his knowledge on the Semitic languages.