Possession in Biblical Hebrew is expressed through a range of syntactic and morphological constructions, reflecting both semantic nuance and contextual emphasis. Unlike English, which typically uses the possessive marker “of” or a possessive pronoun, Biblical Hebrew relies on the construct chain (סְמִיכוּת) and possessive suffixes attached directly to nouns. Understanding these structures requires examining both their grammatical behavior and their role within Biblical discourse.
The Construct Chain as the Primary Possessive Structure
The construct chain (סְמִיכוּת) is the quintessential method for expressing possession in Biblical Hebrew. The first noun (the construct form) is grammatically bound to the following noun (the absolute form), with the relationship typically translated as “X of Y.” The construct form undergoes morphological changes, particularly vowel reduction or modification, to indicate its dependent status.
| Construct Form | Absolute Form | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| בֵּית | הַמֶּלֶךְ | House of the king |
| עֶבֶד | הָאִישׁ | Servant of the man |
| סֵפֶר | מֹשֶׁה | Scroll of Moshe |
One striking feature of the construct chain is its lack of the definite article on the first noun, even when the entire chain is definite. Definiteness is determined by the second noun (the absolute). For example, בֵּית הַמֶּלֶךְ is “the house of the king,” even though בֵּית has no article.
Possessive Suffixes and Their Nuances
Possessive suffixes are another key means of expressing possession. These suffixes attach directly to nouns, often replacing the need for a separate possessive pronoun. For instance, בֵּיתוֹ means “his house,” with the suffix -וֹ indicating third person masculine singular possession. These suffixes agree in gender and number with the possessor, not the possessed object.
| Form | Translation |
|---|---|
| בֵּיתִי | My house |
| בֵּיתְךָ | Your (m.sg.) house |
| בֵּיתוֹ | His house |
| בֵּיתָהּ | Her house |
| בֵּיתָנוּ | Our house |
The choice between a construct chain and a possessive suffix is often stylistic, contextual, or dictated by the syntactic environment. Possessive suffixes tend to create a more intimate or immediate sense of ownership, while construct chains often convey a more descriptive or relational connection.
Double Possession and Emphatic Constructions
Hebrew occasionally employs double possession for emphasis, combining a construct phrase with an independent pronoun or prepositional phrase. For example, בֵּית הַמֶּלֶךְ לוֹ can emphasize “the house of the king—his,” reinforcing the possession through repetition.
Another emphatic strategy is the use of prepositions such as לְ to indicate possession, particularly in existential clauses. For instance, יֵשׁ לִי means “I have” (literally, “There is to me”).
The Role of Possession in Biblical Narrative
Possession in Biblical Hebrew is not merely a grammatical function but a narrative device. Construct chains often highlight covenantal relationships or divine ownership. For instance, references to עַם יְהוָה (“the people of YHWH”) carry theological weight, signaling identity and divine authority. Similarly, the choice of possessive suffixes can underscore intimacy, as seen in the Psalms’ frequent use of אֱלֹהַי (“my God”).
Syntactic Variations and Exceptions
While the construct chain is dominant, exceptions occur. In poetic texts, for example, a free state (absolute form) may stand where a construct form is expected, especially for stylistic parallelism. Furthermore, certain frozen forms such as בֵּית־ (in compound place names) may retain a construct-like morphology without an overt following noun.
Possession as a Window into Hebrew Thought
Hebrew’s possession structures reveal a worldview where relationships, rather than isolated ownership, define the connection between entities. The construct chain portrays a chain of dependencies and hierarchies, while possessive suffixes bring personal immediacy. Both constructions shape the theological and literary texture of the Hebrew Bible.
