One of the hallmarks of Biblical Hebrew syntax is its ability to express meaning with remarkable brevity and economy. Two syntactic features that exemplify this are ellipsis (the omission of expected words or elements) and verbless clauses (sentences without an explicit verb). These features are not grammatical flaws but intentional literary and rhetorical devices that contribute to the rhythmic, poetic, and theological qualities of the Hebrew Bible. This section explores both ellipsis and verbless constructions as integral components of Hebrew sentence structure.
Ellipsis (הֶעְלֵם)
Ellipsis refers to the omission of one or more elements that are contextually understood. The missing word(s) may be a verb, subject, object, or even a preposition. This omission often creates poetic balance, narrative efficiency, or rhetorical emphasis.
Types of Ellipsis
- Verbal Ellipsis — Omission of a main verb, typically recoverable from context or from a previous clause.
- Subject/Object Ellipsis — Subject or object is dropped when previously stated or implied.
- Prepositional Ellipsis — A repeated preposition is dropped in parallel phrases.
Examples of Ellipsis
1. Verbal Ellipsis:
כִּי־חֶסֶד חָפַצְתִּי וְלֹא־זָבַח (Hosea 6:6)
“For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice…”
→ The second clause omits the expected verb (“I desire”), which is understood from the first clause.
2. Subject/Object Ellipsis:
וַיִּקְרָא אֵלֶיהֶם (Genesis 42:7)
“And [he] called to them”
→ The subject (“Yosef”) is omitted but clearly understood from context.
3. Prepositional Ellipsis:
כִּי־בְךָ מָחֲלָה לָנוּ
בְשִׁמְךָ קָרָאנוּ
“For in You is forgiveness for us;
[in] Your name we called.”
→ The preposition “in” is omitted in the second line but understood by parallelism.
Verbless Clauses (משפטים חסרי פועל)
Biblical Hebrew frequently employs nominal sentences—that is, sentences without an overt verb, especially the verb “to be” (הָיָה). These verbless clauses typically consist of a subject and a predicate (noun, adjective, or prepositional phrase) and are common in both prose and poetry.
Common Structures
- Noun + Noun: Subject is equated with another noun.יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים — “YHWH is God” (1 Kings 18:39)
- Noun + Adjective: Subject is described.יְהוָה צַדִּיק — “YHWH is righteous” (Psalm 11:7)
- Noun + Prepositional Phrase: Indicates location or possession.הַבַּיִת לַיהוָה — “The house [belongs] to YHWH” (1 Kings 8:63)
Function and Usage
- Prevalent in poetic lines, wisdom sayings, and divine declarations
- Emphasizes timeless truths or essential identity
- Can express present, past, or future depending on context
Examples:
1. Identity Statement:
הוּא אֱלֹהֵינוּ — “He is our God” (Psalm 95:7)
2. Descriptive Statement:
צַדִּיק יְהוָה — “YHWH is righteous” (Psalm 11:7)
3. Location/Ownership:
כָּבוֹד יְהוָה עַל־הַמִּשְׁכָּן — “The glory of YHWH [was] upon the tabernacle” (Exodus 40:34)
Ambiguity and Context
Because Biblical Hebrew lacks a present-tense form of the verb “to be,” verbless clauses are inherently context-dependent. The same structure can express different time frames:
יְהוָה שָׁמָּה — “YHWH is there” (Ezekiel 48:35)
→ Present: expresses divine presence in Zion.
הַנַּעַר חָכָם — “The boy [was/is/will be] wise”
→ Timeframe determined by surrounding context.
Verbless Clauses in Poetry and Prophecy
Hebrew poetry favors economy of expression, making verbless clauses a natural fit.
Example:
אֲנִי תְפִלָּה — “I am prayer” (Psalm 109:4)
→ Intense poetic compression where the speaker identifies with his plea.
Theological Assertions:
אֱלֹהִים שֹׁפֵט צַדִּיק — “God is a righteous judge” (Psalm 7:11)
→ A verbless assertion of divine character.
When Syntax Withholds
Ellipsis and verbless clauses reflect Biblical Hebrew’s genius for subtlety and depth. By omitting the expected verb or pronoun, the text draws attention to what remains. These constructions allow for emphasis, parallelism, and poetic resonance, offering theological force without syntactic clutter. In Biblical Hebrew, silence in the structure is often an invitation to meaning.
