Biblical Hebrew in Ubuntu Hardy Heron

Here’s the process for installing Biblical Hebrew input method support for Ubuntu Hardy Heron.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This guide does not work as of Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid Lynx. Please see my new guide for directions on getting KMFL to work with iBus.

1. First, go install SCIM as described in my instructions on installing Koine Greek, steps 1-4 (but replace gutsy with hardy).
2. Download the “Ezra 2.51 source and font release” from the SIL Non-Roman Script Initiative on this page.
3. Extract the archive and compile the keyboard with kmflcomp EZRAUNI24.KMN
4. Run scim-setup, click on the KMFL option, click install, then browse to the compiled .kmfl file to install the input method.
5. Save the settings. You’ll also probably need to log out and log back in for everything to work right.
6. Browse through the included Ezra SIL Keyboard Chart. Hebrew is not as keyboard-intuitive as Greek.

Special thanks to Sheila Harrison at the Non-Roman Script Initiative for pointing me at the right package to download.

Update: Sheila writes:

Thank you for giving others a chance to work through the process more easily. I appreciate your comment on the web page, but thanks should really go to Lorna Priest, who reminded me that the source was on the download page. I knew it was available somewhere but hadn’t double checked it yet.