In Biblical Hebrew, possession is often expressed without prepositions through syntactic structures like the construct state (סְמִיכוּת), noun juxtaposition, and pronominal suffixes. The construct state links two nouns, where the first (the possessed) is grammatically dependent on the second (the possessor), as in סֵפֶר מֹשֶׁה (“the book of Moshe”). This structure omits the definite article in the first noun and forms a tight syntactic unit. In poetic or elevated language, possession may be implied through simple juxtaposition (e.g., שֵׁם אֱלֹהִים, “name of God”), relying on context for interpretation. Verbless clauses also convey possession by placing the possessed noun before the possessor (e.g., יְדֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, “the hands of Israel”), reflecting Hebrew’s lack of a verb “to have.” Personal possession is typically marked by pronominal suffixes (e.g., סִפְרוֹ, “his book”), which combine definiteness and ownership. While prepositions like לְ can express possession in verbal clauses, the construct state remains the preferred method in non-verbal contexts. These compact forms not only shape Hebrew syntax but also carry theological and literary weight, emphasizing relational and covenantal dynamics in the biblical text.
Introduction
In Biblical Hebrew, possession is not always marked by explicit prepositions like בְּ (“in”) or לְ (“to”). Instead, the language often uses syntactic structures to indicate possessive relationships, especially the construct state (סְמִיכוּת). This feature distinguishes Biblical Hebrew from many Indo-European languages and reveals deeper nuances in its grammar and style. This article explores how Biblical Hebrew expresses possession without prepositions, with a special focus on the construct chain, noun juxtaposition, and verbless clauses.
The Construct State (סְמִיכוּת)
The construct state is the primary method for expressing possession without using a preposition. This grammatical construction links two nouns together, where the first noun (the “construct”) is possessed, and the second noun (the “absolute”) is the possessor.
Examples:
- סֵפֶר מֹשֶׁה — “the book of Moshe”
- בֵּית הַמֶּלֶךְ — “the house of the king”
- כְּסֵא כָבוֹד — “a throne of glory”
Grammatical Features
- The construct noun (first noun) often loses its definite article.
- Gender, number, and definiteness of the construct chain are determined by the second noun.
- The nouns form a syntactic unit and cannot be separated by adjectives or particles.
Juxtaposition and Implicit Possession
Sometimes possession is implied through simple noun juxtaposition without an explicit construct form or preposition, especially in poetry or elevated speech.
Examples:
- בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל — “sons of Yisra’el”
- שֵׁם אֱלֹהִים — “name of God”
In these cases, context helps the reader supply the possessive meaning.
Stylistic Notes
- More common in poetic texts and prophetic literature.
- May serve metrical or rhetorical purposes.
Possession in Verbless Clauses
Biblical Hebrew frequently uses verbless nominal clauses to indicate possession without prepositions or verbs like “have.” Instead, possession is implied by the structure and word order.
Pattern:
לְ + Possessor + Noun = “The possessor has [noun]”
However, when no preposition is used, possession is often expressed as:
Noun (possessed) + Proper noun (possessor)
Example:
יְדֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל — “the hands of Yisra’el”
This type of construct allows Hebrew to function without the verb “to have” as found in English.
Adjective and Pronoun Possessors
Personal possession is often expressed using pronominal suffixes attached directly to the noun, eliminating the need for a preposition.
Examples:
- סִפְרוֹ — “his book”
- אִשְׁתִּי — “my wife”
- אָבִיךָ — “your father” (masc. sg.)
Notes:
- This method combines possession and definiteness.
- The noun takes the construct or absolute form depending on context.
Construct State vs. Prepositional Possession
Though לְ is sometimes used to express possession (especially in verbal clauses), Biblical Hebrew prefers the construct state when no preposition is involved.
Comparative Table
| Possession Type | With Preposition | Without Preposition |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | יֵשׁ לִי סֵפֶר — “I have a book” | סֵפֶר מֹשֶׁה — “the book of Moshe” |
| Family Relations | לְאַבְרָהָם אִשָּׁה — “Avraham has a wife” | אֵשֶׁת אַבְרָהָם — “Avraham’s wife” |
| Pronoun Possession | N/A | סִפְרוֹ — “his book” |
Special Cases and Poetic Flexibility
In poetry and proverbs, Hebrew often omits grammatical markers to heighten metaphor, rhythm, or parallelism.
Examples:
- תּוֹרַת חָכָם — “instruction of a wise person” (construct state)
- דְּרָכֵי אִישׁ — “ways of a man”
These short, punchy expressions are more vivid and concise than prepositional equivalents.
Implications for Translation and Exegesis
Because Biblical Hebrew often lacks prepositional possession, translators must:
- Recognize construct chains and pronominal suffixes.
- Discern whether the relationship is possessive, descriptive, or partitive.
- Resist adding unnecessary prepositions in English that obscure the compactness of Hebrew.
Interpretive Significance
- The use of construct chains may signal intimacy, hierarchy, or covenantal relationships.
- In legal texts, omission of prepositions makes laws terser but demands syntactic clarity.
Possession Without Prepositions
Biblical Hebrew’s preference for syntactic possession over prepositional phrases reflects its deeply relational worldview. The construct state offers a fluid, elegant way to bind nouns together — semantically and grammatically — without needing verbal or prepositional scaffolding. By learning to recognize these structures, readers can better appreciate the compact beauty and theological precision of the Hebrew Bible.
