Grammatical Choreography: The Binyanim Behind Boaz’s Generous Gesture

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר הָ֠בִי הַמִּטְפַּ֧חַת אֲשֶׁר־עָלַ֛יִךְ וְאֶֽחֳזִי־בָ֖הּ וַתֹּ֣אחֶז בָּ֑הּ וַיָּ֤מָד שֵׁשׁ־שְׂעֹרִים֙ וַיָּ֣שֶׁת עָלֶ֔יהָ וַיָּבֹ֖א הָעִֽיר׃ (Ruth 3:15)

And he said bring the cloak that is on you and hold it and she held it and he measured six measures of barley and placed it on her and he came to the city.

Scene Overview: Action-Packed Verbs

Ruth 3:15 narrates a moment filled with small but meaningful actions. Boaz, ever deliberate and generous, instructs Ruth, and then personally ensures she leaves with a gift. Though the verse reads quickly, the verbs embedded in it are doing a quiet dance—each step marked by a specific binyan that directs agency, intensity, and tone.

In this verse, every verb belongs to a core binyan, and their interplay reinforces themes of provision, trust, and careful planning.

All the Verbs and Their Binyanim

This verse contains seven verbs, and each reveals something about the nature of the action:

1. וַיֹּאמֶר — “he said”
2. הָבִי — “bring”
3. וְאֶֽחֳזִי — “and hold”
4. וַתֹּאחֶז — “and she held”
5. וַיָּמָד — “and he measured”
6. וַיָּשֶׁת — “and he placed”
7. וַיָּבֹא — “and he came”

Let’s look at the binyanim in detail.

Step-by-Step: Analyzing the Binyanim

1. וַיֹּאמֶר — Qal, Perfect, 3ms

Root: אָמַר (to say)
Form: Qal with vav-consecutive (narrative perfect)
Voice: Active
Usage: A classic narrative frame verb. The Qal binyan is unmarked—it lets the speech take focus, not the form.

2. הָבִי — Hiphil, Imperative, 2fs

Root: יָבָה (a rare root meaning “to bring”)
Form: Hiphil imperative feminine singular
Voice: Causative
Impact: The Hiphil commands Ruth not just to come—but to cause something to come to Boaz (i.e., the cloak). The causative meaning is essential: she is to initiate the act of giving.

3. וְאֶֽחֳזִי — Qal, Imperative, 2fs (with cohortative flavor)

Root: אָחַז (to grasp, hold)
Form: Qal imperative 2fs with slightly irregular spelling
Voice: Active
Tone: A soft imperative, matching the tone of cooperation and mutual respect. The Qal keeps the action direct.

4. וַתֹּאחֶז — Qal, Perfect, 3fs

Root: אָחַז (same as above)
Form: Qal narrative perfect
Voice: Active
Note: The Qal continues—this is not a dramatic holding, but a responsive one. Ruth follows his instruction exactly.

5. וַיָּמָד — Qal, Perfect, 3ms

Root: מָדַד (to measure)
Form: Qal narrative perfect
Voice: Active
Contextual Insight: Boaz is doing the measuring himself. The active Qal form keeps the focus on his personal involvement.

6. וַיָּשֶׁת — Qal, Perfect, 3ms

Root: שִׂים (to place, set)
Form: Qal perfect with narrative vav
Voice: Active
Semantics: He “set” it on her, not “threw,” “gave,” or “handed.” The Qal retains a quiet respect—it’s deliberate, not aggressive.

7. וַיָּבֹא — Qal, Perfect, 3ms

Root: בּוֹא (to come)
Form: Qal perfect with vav-consecutive
Voice: Active
Narrative Role: A closing action, common in Hebrew narrative. The Qal’s simplicity here conveys finality without flourish.

Comparative Table: How the Binyanim Function

Verb Binyan Voice Nuance Why This Binyan?
וַיֹּאמֶר Qal Active Neutral narrative frame Standard for speech; shifts attention to words
הָבִי Hiphil Causative She causes something to be brought Boaz tells Ruth to initiate action, not just to “come”
אֶֽחֳזִי Qal Active Direct but soft instruction No need for causation or intensity—just hold it
וַתֹּאחֶז Qal Active Obedient action Mirrors Boaz’s command—exactly as said
וַיָּמָד Qal Active Careful manual action Boaz himself does the work—no delegation
וַיָּשֶׁת Qal Active Respectful placement No drama—quiet generosity
וַיָּבֹא Qal Active Concludes the narrative flow Signals return, closure

How the Binyanim Shape the Scene

The repetition of Qal forms in this verse gives the sequence a rhythm of quiet intentionality. Boaz doesn’t use force; he acts precisely. The only Hiphil verb—הָבִי—adds a single touch of causative force at the start, fitting for the moment Ruth is drawn into action.

There are no intensive stems, no reflexive constructions—because none are needed. The scene is about generosity, not struggle. Kindness, not conquest. The binyanim match that tone with minimalist clarity. They carry the choreography of care.

This verse is a textbook example of how binyanim aren’t just grammatical categories—they’re the soul of the action.

About Biblical Hebrew

Learn Biblical Hebrew Online. Studying Biblical Hebrew online opens a direct window into the sacred texts of the Hebrew Bible, allowing readers to engage with Scripture in its original linguistic and cultural context. By learning the language in which much of the Tanakh was written, students can move beyond translations and discover the nuanced meanings, poetic structures, and theological depth embedded in the Hebrew text. Online learning provides flexible and accessible avenues to build these skills, whether through self-paced modules, guided instruction, or interactive resources. As one grows in proficiency, the richness of biblical narratives, laws, prayers, and prophetic visions comes to life with renewed clarity, making the study of Biblical Hebrew not only an intellectual pursuit but a deeply rewarding spiritual and cultural journey.
This entry was posted in Binyanim and tagged . Bookmark the permalink.

Comments are closed.