Eyes to See, Ears to Hear: Essays in Memory of J. Alan Groves

"Al’s interest in the Hebrew biblical text brought him into contact with the fledgling Center for Computer Analysis of Texts (CCAT) that was attempting to gather computerized texts, especially for the subproject Computer Analysis of Texts for Septuagint Studies. Al worked with the late Jack (John) Abercrombie to correct and adjust the computerized Hebrew text that had been acquired from the University of Michigan (Van Parunak) in cooperation with Claremont Graduate School (Dick Whittaker). In the development of things, further work on this Hebrew material was done in the Netherlands by E. Talstra and his team, with Al contributing on this side of the waters. Al became the person in charge of the Hebrew biblical text developments, at first as an arm of CCAT but soon as an independent project. It was a tremendously valuable develop- ment in all ways, and his attention to detail and cooperative spirit were much appreciated by all."

"It is a pleasure to commend this tribute to Al Groves, a pioneer of the inter- face between computers and the study of the Hebrew Bible, whose death was a huge and untimely loss. The collection here reflects Al Groves’ particular interests, and testifies to the vigor and creativity of Old Testament studies in the best traditions of Westminster Theological Seminary, as well as to the immense personal and scholarly influence of the honoree."

"I cherish very special memories of my work with Al - an innovative, thorough, and knowledgeable scholar, and above all a dear friend. My work with him in the 1980s on the digitization of the Leningrad Codex was pleasant and instructive in all aspects. Subsequently, he slowly became a leader in this field. He was at the forefront of the computerized study of the Hebrew Bible and its grammatical analysis, and without him this field would be different today. This fine collection of studies is a token of appreciation for his work, and will remain an everlasting memory of his activities and personality."