וּבְנֵ֖י יִצְהָ֑ר קֹ֥רַח וָנֶ֖פֶג וְזִכְרִֽי׃
(Exodus 6:21)
And the sons of Yitshar: Qoraḥ and Nefeg and Zikhri
Introduction: Genealogy as Grammar
Biblical genealogies are more than historical lists—they’re structured expressions of belonging, lineage, and narrative economy. A deceptively short verse like Exodus 6:21, listing the sons of Yitshar, is packed with morphological precision. The phrase וּבְנֵ֖י יִצְהָ֑ר (“and the sons of Yitshar”) features a classic example of construct state (סמיכות) in Biblical Hebrew, a grammatical phenomenon where two nouns are joined to express possession or close relationship.
This article dives into how the construct chain functions here, how it interacts with the list of names, and what this reveals about Biblical Hebrew syntax and morphology.
Dissecting the Construct: בְנֵי יִצְהָר
Form and Function
בְנֵי is the construct form of בָּנִים (“sons”). In Hebrew, when a noun is possessed or closely linked to another, it often takes a shortened or altered form and is followed by the governing noun (called the nomen regens).
- בְנֵי (sons of) – Construct plural masculine of בֵּן
- יִצְהָר – Proper name, acts as **nomen regens** (the one possessing)
Together, the phrase means “the sons of Yitshar,” with the construct form forcing a grammatical dependency that binds the two nouns into a single semantic unit.
Table: Morphological Structure of Construct Chain
| Form | Root | Function | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| וּבְנֵי | בן | Construct plural masculine noun with waw-conjunction | Introduces a list; bound to the following noun |
| יִצְהָר | צהר | Proper noun, genitive of the construct | Indicates the father of the named sons |
| קֹרַח | קרח | Proper name (Korach) | Firstborn or notable among the sons |
| וָנֶפֶג | נפג | Proper name (Nefeg) | Second listed son |
| וְזִכְרִי | זכר | Proper name (Zikhri) | Third listed son |
Apposition and Narrative Function
After the construct chain, the proper names קֹרַח וָנֶפֶג וְזִכְרִי function as appositional nouns, identifying who the “sons of Yitshar” are. Apposition is common in genealogies and other enumerative Hebrew structures. It allows rapid identification and narrative economy while preserving semantic clarity.
Note also the use of conjunctive waw (וְ) between the names:
- וָנֶפֶג – conjunctive with pataḥ vowel under the waw, indicating close syntactic tie.
- וְזִכְרִי – final conjunctive element, typical of Hebrew list structures.
Construct Chains as Literary Device
Beyond grammar, the use of the construct chain in genealogies underscores social and covenantal identity. The “sons of Yitshar” are not merely names; they are defined by lineage, a critical theme in the priestly and tribal narratives of Exodus and Numbers.
In this case, Qoraḥ will later rise as a central figure in the rebellion against Moshe (Numbers 16), but his origin is quietly recorded here—embedded grammatically within his father’s name.
When Grammar Encodes Legacy
The construct chain בְנֵי יִצְהָר is more than a possessive phrase—it is an identity clause. Through compact morphology and appositional sequencing, Biblical Hebrew encodes heritage, hierarchy, and history. The structure is elegant, economical, and exact. In genealogical Hebrew, grammar is not just technical—it is genealogical theology.
