Cardinal numbers in Biblical Hebrew are grammatically intricate and semantically rich, interacting with gender, definiteness, and syntax in ways that differ markedly from English. Numbers 1–10 show gender agreement, with 3–10 exhibiting gender polarity—using the opposite gender form of the noun they modify. Numbers like שְׁנֵי (“two of”) and שְׁלוֹשֶׁת (“three of”) often appear in construct state before definite nouns. Compound numbers from 11–19 align with the noun’s gender, while numbers 20 and above follow more regular patterns, typically preceding plural nouns. Irregularities arise in poetic contexts or with semantically charged nouns like יָד (“hand”). Beyond grammar, Hebrew numbers often carry symbolic weight—seven for completeness, forty for testing—making their study essential for both linguistic precision and theological insight.
Counting More Than Words: The Role of Numerals in Biblical Hebrew
Cardinal numbers in Biblical Hebrew—words used for counting like “one,” “two,” and “three”—are not mere quantifiers. They interact dynamically with the gender, definiteness, and number of the nouns they modify. Understanding how numbers like שְׁנַיִם (“two”) and שְׁלוֹשָׁה (“three”) behave grammatically is vital for both accurate translation and textual interpretation. Unlike English, where numbers stay the same regardless of what is counted, Hebrew cardinal numbers change form depending on whether the noun is masculine or feminine and whether it is singular or plural.
1. Numbers 1–10: Gender Agreement and Inversion Patterns
Numbers from 1 to 10 display complex agreement rules. Most notably, numbers from 3 to 10 exhibit gender polarity—they appear in the opposite gender of the noun they modify.
| Number | Masculine Form | Feminine Form | Example (M) | Example (F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | אֶחָד | אַחַת | אֶחָד עָם – “one people” | אַחַת נָשִׁים – “one woman” |
| 2 | שְׁנַיִם | שְׁתַּיִם | שְׁנֵי אֲנָשִׁים – “two men” | שְׁתֵּי נָשִׁים – “two women” |
| 3 | שְׁלוֹשָׁה | שָׁלוֹש | שְׁלוֹשָׁה אֲנָשִׁים – “three men” | שָׁלוֹש נָשִׁים – “three women” |
| 4 | אַרְבָּעָה | אַרְבַּע | אַרְבָּעָה יָמִים – “four days” | אַרְבַּע שָׁנִים – “four years” |
| 5–10 | חֲמִשָּׁה to עֲשָׂרָה | חָמֵשׁ to עֶשֶׂר | חֲמִשָּׁה סוּסִים – “five horses” | חָמֵשׁ פָּרוֹת – “five cows” |
2. Construct State: Dual and Plural Interactions
When the number + noun forms a compound unit, the noun often appears in construct state:
- שְׁנֵי הַנָּשִׁים – “the two women” (construct dual form of “two”)
- שְׁלוֹשֶׁת הַיָּמִים – “the three days” (construct form: שְׁלוֹשֶׁת)
Construct forms are mostly seen with numbers 3–10 and indicate close syntactic linkage, especially with definite nouns.
3. Numbers 11–19: Suffix Fusion and Gender Uniformity
Numbers 11 through 19 are compound numbers, combining 1–9 with 10:
- אַחַד עָשָׂר – “eleven” (masc.), אַחַת עֶשְׂרֵה (fem.)
- שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר – “twelve” (masc.), שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה (fem.)
These forms tend to agree directly with the gender of the noun, unlike the inverse pattern of 3–10.
4. Numbers 20 and Beyond: Multiples and Syntax
From 20 upward, Hebrew numbers become simpler and more consistent. Common forms include:
- עֶשְׂרִים – “twenty”
- שְׁלוֹשִׁים – “thirty”
- מֵאָה – “one hundred” (fem. noun)
- אֶלֶף – “one thousand” (masc. noun)
These typically precede the noun and are followed by it in plural form:
- עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה – “twenty years”
- מֵאָה אֲנָשִׁים – “a hundred men”
5. Gender Agreement Exceptions and Irregularities
Some nouns defy expected patterns, and not all gender inversions are followed strictly. For example:
- יָד (“hand”) is grammatically feminine, but often paired with a masculine number due to semantic or stylistic reasons.
- Stylistic inversion or poetic freedom may result in apparent mismatches between numeral and noun gender.
Biblical poetry frequently bends these rules, often for meter or emphasis.
6. Theological and Rhetorical Force of Numbers
Hebrew numbers are not always used for mathematical precision—they often bear theological or symbolic significance:
- שִׁבְעָה – Seven: completeness, divine action (e.g., creation week)
- אַרְבָּעִים – Forty: trial, testing, fullness of time
- שְׁנֵים – Two: legal witness, duality, confirmation
Thus, the grammatical handling of numbers often intersects with their symbolic function.
When Grammar Counts
In Biblical Hebrew, numbers aren’t just arithmetic—they are grammatically complex and theologically rich. From gender inversions to construct chains, every numeral carries weight. Precision in their use reveals not only linguistic structure but often literary artistry and rhetorical emphasis. For students and scholars alike, attention to numerals in Hebrew is not optional—it’s foundational to serious exegesis.
