Monthly Archives: May 2015

Grammatical-Theological Analysis of Psalm 15:5

Posted on May 15, 2015 by Biblical Hebrew
כַּסְפֹּ֤ו לֹא־נָתַ֣ן בְּנֶשֶׁךְ֮ וְשֹׁ֥חַד עַל־נָקִ֗י לֹ֥א לָ֫קָ֥ח עֹֽשֵׂה־אֵ֑לֶּה לֹ֖א יִמֹּ֣וט לְעֹולָֽם׃ 1. Legal and Economic Ethics in Grammar: כַּסְפּוֹ לֹא־נָתַן בְּנֶשֶׁךְ כַּסְפּוֹ (“his silver”) is a masculine singular noun in construct with the pronominal suffix -וֹ (“his”), drawing attention to personal property. The phrase לֹא־נָתַן (“he did not give”) uses the Qal perfect 3rd masculine singular of נָתַן, denoting a completed action—he has not given, and by implication does not give, his money בְּנֶשֶׁךְ (“with interest”). The preposition בְּ introduces the manner or condition: “in interest,” referring to usury, prohibited by the Torah when lending to fellow Israelites (Exodus 22:24; Leviticus 25:36).… Learn Hebrew
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Causal כְּ־ with Comparative Structure and Divine Retribution Syntax

Posted on May 3, 2015 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Ezekiel 35:15 This verse concludes a prophecy of judgment against Mount Seʿir and the nation of Edom. It contrasts Edom’s joy at Israel’s devastation with the devastation that will now come upon Edom. Grammatically, it showcases the use of comparative כְּ־ clauses, divine speech verbs, and word order emphasizing retribution. This lesson will examine the use of causal-comparative כְּ־ constructions and the syntax of judgment declarations in prophetic Hebrew. כְּשִׂמְחָ֨תְךָ֜ לְנַחְלַ֧ת בֵּֽית־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל עַ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־שָׁמֵ֖מָה כֵּ֣ן אֶעֱשֶׂה־לָּ֑ךְ שְׁמָמָ֨ה תִֽהְיֶ֤ה הַר־שֵׂעִיר֙ וְכָל־אֱדֹ֣ום כֻּלָּ֔הּ וְיָדְע֖וּ כִּֽי־אֲנִ֥י יְהוָֽה׃ Analysis of Key Words and Structures כְּשִׂמְחָ֨תְךָ֜ (kesimḥatkha) – “As you rejoiced.”… Learn Hebrew
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The Syntax of Reverent Restraint: Dissecting Ecclesiastes 5:5

Posted on May 2, 2015 by Advanced Hebrew Grammar
אַל־תִּתֵּ֤ן אֶת־פִּ֨יךָ֙ לַחֲטִ֣יא אֶת־בְּשָׂרֶ֔ךָ וְאַל־תֹּאמַר֙ לִפְנֵ֣י הַמַּלְאָ֔ךְ כִּ֥י שְׁגָגָ֖ה הִ֑יא לָ֣מָּה יִקְצֹ֤ף הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ עַל־קֹולֶ֔ךָ וְחִבֵּ֖ל אֶת־מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה יָדֶֽיךָ׃ (Ecclesiastes 5:5) Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? Syntax as Ethics This verse from Ecclesiastes 5:5 offers a striking ethical imperative—do not let your speech lead to sin, and do not excuse sin before a messenger of God.… Learn Hebrew
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The Legal Structure of Obligation and the Function of Conditional Clauses in Leviticus 5:1

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Biblical Hebrew
This study will analyze the grammatical structure of conditional clauses, the function of legal obligations in biblical law, and the theological significance of personal responsibility in maintaining justice. וְנֶ֣פֶשׁ כִּֽי־תֶחֱטָ֗א וְשָֽׁמְעָה֙ קֹ֣ול אָלָ֔ה וְה֣וּא עֵ֔ד אֹ֥ו רָאָ֖ה אֹ֣ו יָדָ֑ע אִם־לֹ֥וא יַגִּ֖יד וְנָשָׂ֥א עֲוֹנֹֽו׃ (Leviticus 5:1) When a soul sins and hears a voice of adjuration, and he is a witness, whether he has seen or known, if he does not report it, he shall bear his iniquity. Introduction to Leviticus 5:1 Leviticus 5:1 is part of the Torah’s legal instructions concerning guilt offerings (אָשָׁם) and the responsibility of bearing witness in legal cases.… Learn Hebrew
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