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Recent Articles
- Sequential Action and Leadership: The Wayyiqtol Chain in Judges 3:27
- Internal Monologue and Root-Derived Wordplay in Obadiah 1:3
- Temporal Clauses and Narrative Framing in Numbers 26:1
- The Hebrew Verb אִמֵּץ: To Strengthen and Encourage
- Negative Imperatives and Prohibitions in Leviticus 26:1
- Sequential Perfects and Future Conditionals in Deuteronomy 26:1
- The Hebrew Verb הֶאֱמִין: To Believe and Trust
- Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Phonology
- The Hebrew Root א-מ-ן: Meanings, Binyanim, and Development
- The Hebrew Verb אִלֵּץ: To Compel or Force or Urge
- “Forty Stripes He May Give Him, He Shall Not Add”: Legal Limits and Syntactic Boundaries in Deuteronomy 25:3
- “Rising Early to Speak”: Temporal Expressions and Iterative Syntax in Jeremiah 25:3
Categories
Singulars of Measure in Biblical Hebrew
The phenomenon of the singular of measure in Biblical Hebrew is a fascinating grammatical and syntactic feature. It reflects how Hebrew expresses quantity, time, age, and other measurable constructs using a singular noun to represent a plural idea. In this lesson, we will explore its use across various semantic domains—especially time, space, and quantity—while examining paradigmatic examples like שָׁנָה (*year*) and its plural שָׁנִים.
I. Introduction to Singulars of Measure
Biblical Read more [...]
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Sequential Action and Leadership: The Wayyiqtol Chain in Judges 3:27
Introduction to Judges 3:27: Trumpets, Terrain, and Tactical Leadership
This verse describes the pivotal moment when Ehud, after escaping from Eglon, mobilizes the Israelites by sounding the shofar in the hill country of Ephraim. The structure of this verse is particularly notable for its use of wayyiqtol (וַיִּקטֹל) forms, a staple of Hebrew narrative grammar that links actions in succession. This grammar lesson explores how the sequence of verbs reflects not only temporal order but also Read more [...]
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Internal Monologue and Root-Derived Wordplay in Obadiah 1:3
Introduction to Obadiah 1:3: The Language of Arrogance and Illusion
Obadiah 1:3 confronts the arrogant mindset of Edom, using highly expressive Hebrew grammar to portray internal thought, deceptive self-assurance, and false elevation. The verse employs reflexive causative verbs and embeds internal monologue syntax into poetic prophecy. This lesson explores the intricate grammar that builds the illusion of invincibility in the heart of Edom.
זְדֹ֤ון לִבְּךָ֙ הִשִּׁיאֶ֔ךָ Read more [...]
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Temporal Clauses and Narrative Framing in Numbers 26:1
Introduction to Numbers 26:1: Marking Time After Crisis
This verse opens the chapter detailing the second wilderness census. It sets the context with a temporal clause and then presents a divine speech formula addressed to both Moshe and Eleʿazar. The syntax reveals the transition from plague to restoration and organization. This lesson will examine the grammatical features used to introduce divine discourse following a national calamity.
וַיְהִ֖י אַחֲרֵ֣י הַמַּגֵּפָ֑ה Read more [...]
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The Hebrew Verb אִמֵּץ: To Strengthen and Encourage
The Hebrew verb אִמֵּץ (from the root א-מ-ץ) means “to strengthen,” “to make firm,” or “to encourage.” It appears primarily in the Piel binyan, where it takes on an intensive or causative meaning. The verb is used both in literal contexts (e.g., strengthening hands or arms) and figurative contexts (e.g., encouraging the heart, giving courage).
In the Hebrew Bible, it often appears in moments of transition, fear, or divine encouragement. The most famous usage is in God’s Read more [...]
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Negative Imperatives and Prohibitions in Leviticus 26:1
Introduction to Leviticus 26:1: Syntax of Covenant Prohibitions
Leviticus 26:1 opens the chapter of blessings and curses with a firm reminder of Israel’s exclusive devotion to YHWH. The verse is structured as a series of prohibitions using negative imperatives, paired with objects of idolatrous worship. This lesson will focus on the syntax of prohibition, the use of לֹא with different verb forms, and the consistent employment of covenantal identification through grammar.
לֹֽא־תַעֲשׂ֨וּ Read more [...]
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Sequential Perfects and Future Conditionals in Deuteronomy 26:1
Introduction to Deuteronomy 26:1: Legal Conditional Syntax and Sequential Events
This verse marks the beginning of a legal ritual that is to be performed upon entering the land of YHWH. The grammar is especially rich with perfect verbs used to describe future actions—a unique feature of Hebrew law codes. Additionally, the structure uses vav-consecutive with perfect verbs and conditional markers to express a logical and temporal progression. This lesson focuses on the interplay between conditionals Read more [...]
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The Hebrew Verb הֶאֱמִין: To Believe and Trust
The Hebrew verb הֶאֱמִין (from the root א-מ-ן) is the standard verb for expressing faith, belief, and trust in biblical Hebrew. It appears most frequently in the Hiphil binyan, the causative stem, and literally means “to cause to be firm” or “to cause to trust.” This fits well with the theological context in which the verb often appears—most notably in expressions of trusting in God.
For example, in Genesis 15:6, it says of Avram: וְהֶאֱמִן בַּיהוָה — “And Read more [...]
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Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Phonology
Biblical Hebrew, the language of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), presents a rich and complex phonological system that evolved significantly over time. Its phonology—concerned with the sound system of the language—offers essential insights into historical linguistics, comparative Semitics, and the reconstruction of ancient pronunciations. This article explores the consonantal and vocalic inventory of Biblical Hebrew, historical shifts, and key phonological phenomena within a scholarly framework.
Consonantal Read more [...]
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The Hebrew Root א-מ-ן: Meanings, Binyanim, and Development
The root א-מ-ן (Aleph–Mem–Nun) in Hebrew is one of the most theologically rich and versatile roots in the Bible. From this root come several related verbs and nouns associated with ideas of faith, firmness, trustworthiness, and training. It lies behind well-known words like אָמֵן (“amen”) and אֱמוּנָה (“faith, faithfulness”).
This root appears in multiple binyanim, each with distinct shades of meaning:
Qal (rare): to be firm, confirmed
Niphal: to be faithful, Read more [...]
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The Hebrew Verb אִלֵּץ: To Compel or Force or Urge
The Hebrew verb אִלֵּץ comes from the root א-ל-ץ and means “to compel,” “to coerce,” or “to force.” It is typically found only in the Piel binyan, which expresses intensive or causative action. This verb is not used in the Qal or Niphal forms in the Hebrew Bible and Modern Hebrew. Its meaning carries a strong sense of pressure or obligation placed on a person or group.
The verb is rarely found in biblical Hebrew but appears more often in later Hebrew literature and Modern Read more [...]
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