-
Recent Articles
- Disaster That Flies Down: A Hebrew Lesson on Isaiah 8:22
- Purified and Presented: A Hebrew Lesson on Numbers 8:21
- Like the Nations Before You: A Hebrew Walkthrough of Deuteronomy 8:20
- Voices of the Dead or the Living God? A Hebrew Lesson on Isaiah 8:19
- When the Ground Denies Him: A Hebrew Walkthrough of Job 8:18
- From Dust to Gnats: A Hebrew Lesson in Action
- The Power of Repetition: Exploring the Waw-Consecutive
- Through the Great and Fearsome Wilderness: From Fiery Serpent to Flowing Spring
- “Counsel Is Mine” — Exploring the Voice of Wisdom in Proverbs 8:14
- From the Garden to the Ear: Participles and Imperatives in Song of Songs 8:13
- Wisdom’s Self-Introduction: Where Insight Meets Strategy
- Guard Yourself: The Grammar of Memory and Obedience
Categories
Archives
The Throne Among the People: Syntax and Theology in Ezekiel 43:7
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלַ֗י בֶּן־אָדָם֙ אֶת־מְקֹ֣ום כִּסְאִ֗י וְאֶת־מְקֹום֙ כַּפֹּ֣ות רַגְלַ֔י אֲשֶׁ֧ר אֶשְׁכָּן־שָׁ֛ם בְּתֹ֥וךְ בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לְעֹולָ֑ם וְלֹ֣א יְטַמְּא֣וּ עֹ֣וד בֵּֽית־֠יִשְׂרָאֵל שֵׁ֣ם קָדְשִׁ֞י הֵ֤מָּה וּמַלְכֵיהֶם֙ בִּזְנוּתָ֔ם וּבְפִגְרֵ֥י מַלְכֵיהֶ֖ם בָּמֹותָֽם׃
(Ezekiel 43:7)
Clause Structure Overview
The verse consists of two main thematic units, joined by a waw-consecutive, each with subordinate clauses:
וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלַי — Narrative introduction, “And He said to me”
Direct divine speech describing:
The place of YHWH’s throne and footstool (אֶת־מְקֹום כִּסְאִי … אֶת־מְקֹום כַּפֹּות רַגְלַי)
Purpose clause (אֲשֶׁר אֶשְׁכָּן־שָׁם … לְעוֹלָם)
Prohibition clause with future negation (וְלֹא יְטַמְּאוּ עוֹד …)
Detailed Grammatical Observations
Phrase
Morphology
Syntactic Role
Notes
וַיֹּאמֶר
Wayyiqtol Qal 3ms from אָמַר
Main narrative verb
Signals a new prophetic utterance.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Syntax, Theology
Tagged Ezekiel 43:7
Comments Off on The Throne Among the People: Syntax and Theology in Ezekiel 43:7
Binyanim in Motion: How Verbal Stems Drive the Tension in Ruth 3:18
וַתֹּ֨אמֶר֙ שְׁבִ֣י בִתִּ֔י עַ֚ד אֲשֶׁ֣ר תֵּֽדְעִ֔ין אֵ֖יךְ יִפֹּ֣ל דָּבָ֑ר כִּ֣י לֹ֤א יִשְׁקֹט֙ הָאִ֔ישׁ כִּֽי־אִם־כִּלָּ֥ה הַדָּבָ֖ר הַיֹּֽום׃ (Ruth 3:18)
And she said sit my daughter until you know how the matter will fall for the man will not rest unless he has completed the matter today
Introduction: When Verbs Set the Stage
Ruth 3:18 comes at a moment of high emotional tension. Naomi urges Ruth to wait while Boaz resolves a matter that could change her life. But this waiting is filled with motion—not outward, but inward.… Learn Hebrew
The Syntax of Contrastive Conjunctions: כִּי אִם in Proverbs 23:17
אַל־יְקַנֵּ֣א לִ֭בְּךָ בַּֽחַטָּאִ֑ים כִּ֥י אִם־בְּיִרְאַת־֝יְהוָ֗ה כָּל־הַיֹּֽום׃
(Proverbs 23:17)
Let your heart not be jealous of sinners but rather in the fear of YHWH all the day
Introducing the Phenomenon
Among the various conjunctions in Biblical Hebrew, the sequence כִּי אִם plays a nuanced role in constructing contrastive statements. It often functions to negate one clause or expectation and replace it with an alternative—frequently associated with exclusion, contrast, or restriction. In Proverbs 23:17, this subtle but powerful construction guides the moral instruction by contrasting two directions of the heart: envy of the wicked versus reverent fear of יְהוָה.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Grammar
Tagged Proverbs 23:17
Comments Off on The Syntax of Contrastive Conjunctions: כִּי אִם in Proverbs 23:17
Disaster That Flies Down: A Hebrew Lesson on Isaiah 8:22
וְאֶל־אֶ֖רֶץ יַבִּ֑יט וְהִנֵּ֨ה צָרָ֤ה וַחֲשֵׁכָה֙ מְע֣וּף צוּקָ֔ה וַאֲפֵלָ֖ה מְנֻדָּֽח׃
(Isaiah 8:22)
And he will look to the earth, and behold: distress and darkness, flying anguish, and thick darkness upon the driven one.
Word-by-Word Explanation
וְאֶל־אֶרֶץ — “and to the land/earth.” Preposition אֶל (“to, toward”) + noun אֶרֶץ (“land, earth”).
יַבִּיט — “he will look.” Hifil imperfect 3rd masculine singular from נבט (“to look, gaze”). In Hifil, often “cause oneself to look attentively.”
וְהִנֵּה — “and behold!” An interjection alerting the listener to what follows.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Beginners
Tagged Isaiah 8:22
Comments Off on Disaster That Flies Down: A Hebrew Lesson on Isaiah 8:22
Purified and Presented: A Hebrew Lesson on Numbers 8:21
וַיִּֽתְחַטְּא֣וּ הַלְוִיִּ֗ם וַֽיְכַבְּסוּ֙ בִּגְדֵיהֶ֔ם וַיָּ֨נֶף אַהֲרֹ֥ן אֹתָ֛ם תְּנוּפָ֖ה לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה וַיְכַפֵּ֧ר עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם אַהֲרֹ֖ן לְטַהֲרָֽם׃
(Numbers 8:21)
And the Levites purified themselves and washed their clothes, and Aaron waved them as a wave offering before the LORD; and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them.
Word-by-Word Explanation
וַיִּתְחַטְּאוּ — “and they purified themselves.” Hitpael stem (reflexive) of חָטָא (“to sin, to purify”), imperfect with vav consecutive. Subject: “the Levites.”
הַלְוִיִּם — “the Levites.” Noun with definite article הַ.
וַיְכַבְּסוּ — “and they washed.”… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Beginners
Tagged Numbers 8:21
Comments Off on Purified and Presented: A Hebrew Lesson on Numbers 8:21
Like the Nations Before You: A Hebrew Walkthrough of Deuteronomy 8:20
כַּגֹּויִ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֤ר יְהוָה֙ מַאֲבִ֣יד מִפְּנֵיכֶ֔ם כֵּ֖ן תֹאבֵד֑וּן עֵ֚קֶב לֹ֣א תִשְׁמְע֔וּן בְּקֹ֖ול יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃
(Deuteronomy 8:20)
Like the nations that the LORD destroys before you, so shall you perish, because you would not listen to the voice of the LORD your God.
Word-by-Word Explanation
כַּגֹּויִם — “like the nations.” The preposition כְּ (“like, as”) + plural גֹּויִם (“nations”).
אֲשֶׁר — “that / which.” Relative pronoun introducing a clause.
יְהוָה — “YHWH, the LORD.” The divine name.
מַאֲבִיד — “is destroying / destroys.”… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Beginners
Tagged Deuteronomy 8:20
Comments Off on Like the Nations Before You: A Hebrew Walkthrough of Deuteronomy 8:20
Voices of the Dead or the Living God? A Hebrew Lesson on Isaiah 8:19
וְכִֽי־יֹאמְר֣וּ אֲלֵיכֶ֗ם דִּרְשׁ֤וּ אֶל־הָאֹבֹות֙ וְאֶל־הַיִּדְּעֹנִ֔ים הַֽמְצַפְצְפִ֖ים וְהַמַּהְגִּ֑ים הֲלֹוא־עַם֙ אֶל־אֱלֹהָ֣יו יִדְרֹ֔שׁ בְּעַ֥ד הַחַיִּ֖ים אֶל־הַמֵּתִֽים׃
(Isaiah 8:19)
And when they say to you, “Seek to the mediums and to the spiritists, who chirp and mutter,” should not a people seek to its God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?
“It might seem like a lot, but each verb and suffix you master brings you closer to reading Hebrew as it was first spoken.”
Word-by-Word Explanation
וְכִי־ — “and when.”… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Beginners
Tagged Isaiah 8:19
Comments Off on Voices of the Dead or the Living God? A Hebrew Lesson on Isaiah 8:19
When the Ground Denies Him: A Hebrew Walkthrough of Job 8:18
אִם־יְבַלְּעֶ֥נּוּ מִמְּקֹומֹ֑ו וְכִ֥חֶשׁ בֹּ֝֗ו לֹ֣א רְאִיתִֽיךָ׃
(Job 8:18)
If it swallows him from his place, then it will deny him, saying: “I have not seen you.”
Word-by-Word Explanation
אִם־ – “if.” A conditional particle that sets up a possibility or situation.
יְבַלְּעֶנּוּ – “it swallows him.” From בָּלַע (“to swallow, engulf”), imperfect 3rd masculine singular. The suffix -נּוּ = “him.”
מִמְּקֹומֹו – “from his place.” The preposition מִן (“from”) assimilates before מָקוֹם, giving מִמְּקוֹם. The suffix -וֹ = “his.”
וְכִחֶשׁ – “and it will deny.”… Learn Hebrew
From Dust to Gnats: A Hebrew Lesson in Action
וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ־כֵ֗ן וַיֵּט֩ אַהֲרֹ֨ן אֶת־יָדֹ֤ו בְמַטֵּ֨הוּ֙ וַיַּךְ֙ אֶת־עֲפַ֣ר הָאָ֔רֶץ וַתְּהִי֙ הַכִּנָּ֔ם בָּאָדָ֖ם וּבַבְּהֵמָ֑ה כָּל־עֲפַ֥ר הָאָ֛רֶץ הָיָ֥ה כִנִּ֖ים בְּכָל־אֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃
(Exodus 8:17)
And they did so, and Aharon stretched out his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the earth, and it became gnats on man and on beast; all the dust of the earth became gnats in all the land of Mitsrayim.
Word-by-Word Explanation
וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ־כֵן – “and they did so.” From עָשָׂה (“to do, make”), wayyiqtol (narrative past), 3rd person plural.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Beginners
Tagged Exodus 8:17
Comments Off on From Dust to Gnats: A Hebrew Lesson in Action
The Power of Repetition: Exploring the Waw-Consecutive
וַיֵּצְא֣וּ הָעָם֮ וַיָּבִיאוּ֒ וַיַּעֲשׂוּ֩ לָהֶ֨ם סֻכֹּ֜ות אִ֤ישׁ עַל־גַּגֹּו֙ וּבְחַצְרֹ֣תֵיהֶ֔ם וּבְחַצְרֹ֖ות בֵּ֣ית הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים וּבִרְחֹוב֙ שַׁ֣עַר הַמַּ֔יִם וּבִרְחֹ֖וב שַׁ֥עַר אֶפְרָֽיִם׃
(Nehemiah 8:16)
And the people went out and brought and made for themselves booths, each on his roof and in their courtyards and in the courtyards of the house of God and in the square of the Water Gate and in the square of the Gate of Ephrayim.
The verse from Nehemiah 8:16 offers us a vivid description of Israel’s observance of the Festival of Booths.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Grammar, Syntax
Tagged Nehemiah 8:16
Comments Off on The Power of Repetition: Exploring the Waw-Consecutive
Through the Great and Fearsome Wilderness: From Fiery Serpent to Flowing Spring
Τοῦ ἀγαγόντος σε διὰ τῆς ἐρήμου τῆς μεγάλης καὶ τῆς φοβερᾶς ἐκείνης οὗ ὄφις δάκνων καὶ σκορπίος καὶ δίψα οὗ οὐκ ἦν ὕδωρ τοῦ ἐξαγαγόντος σοι ἐκ πέτρας ἀκροτόμου πηγὴν ὕδατος (Deuteronomy 8:15)
הַמֹּולִ֨יכֲךָ֜ בַּמִּדְבָּ֣ר הַגָּדֹ֣ל וְהַנֹּורָ֗א נָחָ֤שׁ שָׂרָף֙ וְעַקְרָ֔ב וְצִמָּאֹ֖ון אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֵֽין־מָ֑יִם הַמֹּוצִ֤יא לְךָ֙ מַ֔יִם מִצּ֖וּר הַֽחַלָּמִֽישׁ׃
Two Participles Framing Deliverance
In the Hebrew, the verse is framed by two participles: הַמֹּולִיךֲךָ (“the one who led you”) and הַמֹּוצִיא (“the one who brought out”). This creates a grammatical inclusio that ties God’s guidance through danger to His provision of life-giving water.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Septuagint Studies
Comments Off on Through the Great and Fearsome Wilderness: From Fiery Serpent to Flowing Spring
“Counsel Is Mine” — Exploring the Voice of Wisdom in Proverbs 8:14
לִֽי־֭עֵצָה וְתוּשִׁיָּ֑ה אֲנִ֥י בִ֝ינָ֗ה לִ֣י גְבוּרָֽה׃
(Proverbs 8:14)
Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, strength is mine.
Word-by-Word Explanation
לִי – “To me” / “Mine”Preposition + Pronoun
– לְ = “to”
– י = “me”
Together, they form a possessive phrase: “is mine” or “belongs to me.”
עֵצָה – “Counsel” Noun, feminine singular
– Refers to guidance, advice, or strategic insight
This word is often associated with wise planning.
וְתוּשִׁיָּה – “and sound wisdom” Noun, feminine singular
– וְ = “and”
– תוּשִׁיָּה = wisdom with stability or resourcefulness
A rich term implying practical, effective insight.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Beginners
Tagged Proverbs 8:14
Comments Off on “Counsel Is Mine” — Exploring the Voice of Wisdom in Proverbs 8:14
From the Garden to the Ear: Participles and Imperatives in Song of Songs 8:13
הַיֹּושֶׁ֣בֶת בַּגַּנִּ֗ים חֲבֵרִ֛ים מַקְשִׁיבִ֥ים לְקֹולֵ֖ךְ הַשְׁמִיעִֽינִי׃
(Song of Songs 8:13)
The one dwelling in the gardens, companions are listening to your voice, let me hear it.
Opening Scene
This verse, part of the closing dialogue of the Song of Songs, blends description and direct address. The speaker portrays the addressee as dwelling in gardens while others eagerly listen. The request that follows shifts from description to command, creating a warm yet urgent tone.
Grammatical Focus: Participles as Verbal Adjectives
The verse opens with הַיֹּושֶׁ֣בֶת (“the one dwelling”), a Qal participle fs from the root י־שׁ־ב.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Grammar
Tagged Song of Songs 8:13
Comments Off on From the Garden to the Ear: Participles and Imperatives in Song of Songs 8:13