Biblical Hebrew’s number system—singular, dual, and plural—is a morphological lens through which poetry, theology, and syntax converge. The dual form adds sacred symmetry to paired body parts (עֵינַיִם, יָדַיִם), temporal markers (צָהֳרַיִם), and even place names like מִצְרַיִם. Though verbs and pronouns bypass the dual in form, they still resonate with its presence through plural agreement. Pluralia tantum nouns like מַיִם and שָׁמַיִם transcend number categories to express intensity or cosmic scope. Far beyond grammar, number in Hebrew evokes design, relationship, and reverent precision.
The Semitic Number System in Morphology
Biblical Hebrew employs a threefold number system—singular, dual, and plural—which reflects an ancient Semitic linguistic heritage. While many modern languages distinguish only between singular and plural, Hebrew’s dual form adds nuance to objects that naturally occur in pairs and certain fixed expressions. Recognizing these distinctions is essential for understanding noun morphology, verbal agreement, and poetic parallelism.
Core Morphological Endings by Number
Each number category is marked by characteristic suffixes depending on the gender of the noun.
| Number | Masculine Ending | Feminine Ending | Example (Masculine) | Example (Feminine) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singular | — | -ָה / -ֶת | סֵ֫פֶר (“book”) | מִלְחָמָה (“war”) |
| Dual | -ַיִם | יָדַ֫יִם (“two hands”) | עֵינַ֫יִם (“two eyes”) | |
| Plural | -ִים | -וֹת | סְפָרִים (“books”) | מִלְחָמוֹת (“wars”) |
The Dual Number: Function and Limitation
The dual primarily appears with body parts, natural pairs, and fixed temporal or spatial expressions. It signals exactly two of something:
- יָדַ֫יִם – hands
- רַגְלַ֫יִם – feet
- אָזְנַ֫יִם – ears
- עֵינַ֫יִם – eyes
- צָהֳרַ֫יִם – noon (dual of “midday”)
It also appears in place names like מִצְרַ֫יִם (“Mitsrayim”/Egypt) and אֶפְרַ֫יִם.
However, not all nouns with a dual suffix semantically refer to a pair. For instance, שָׁמַ֫יִם (“heavens”) and מַ֫יִם (“water”) appear morphologically dual but function grammatically as plurals.
Verbal Agreement with Number
Verbs in Biblical Hebrew distinguish only between singular and plural. The dual has no special verbal form. Therefore, a noun in dual number will take a plural verb.
Example:
- רַגְלַ֫יִם רָצוּ – “The two feet ran” (poetic; verb is plural)
This syntactic behavior emphasizes the grammatical economy of Hebrew, where morphological duality does not extend to verbal inflection.
Adjective and Pronoun Number
Adjectives and pronouns generally agree in number with their nouns. Though dual forms of adjectives are rare, they do exist.
| Adjective | Number | Example Phrase |
|---|---|---|
| גָּדוֹל | Singular | סֵ֫פֶר גָּדוֹל (“a great book”) |
| גְּדוֹלִים | Plural | סְפָרִים גְּדוֹלִים (“great books”) |
| טֹ֫בַ֫יִם | Dual | דְּדַיַּ֫יִךְ טֹ֫בַ֫יִם (Song of Songs 7:2) |
Pronouns distinguish only singular and plural, not dual:
– אַתָּה – you (m. sg.)
– אַתֶּם – you (m. pl.)
Numerals and the Dual: A Clarification
The form שְׁנֵ֫ים is not a dual noun but a numeral meaning “two” (masculine). Its feminine counterpart is שְׁתַּ֫יִם. While both share the -ַיִם suffix, they function grammatically as numbers, not substantives.
Dual in Construct State
Like plural and singular nouns, dual nouns also shift in the construct state, often contracting the final syllable.
Examples:
- יָדַ֫יִם → יְדֵי – “two hands” → “hands of”
- עֵינַ֫יִם → עֵינֵי – “eyes” → “eyes of”
Though the -ַיִם form is not always retained overtly, the dual meaning is often contextually preserved.
Pluralia Tantum: Grammatically Plural, Semantically Singular
Some nouns appear only in plural or dual form but are semantically singular:
- שָׁמַ֫יִם – “heavens” (Genesis 1:1)
- מַ֫יִם – “water” (Genesis 1:2); takes plural verbs and adjectives
- חַיִּים – “life” (Deuteronomy 30:15); plural form, often singular in meaning
- אֱלֹהִים – “God”; plural in form, singular in verb agreement when referring to YHWH
These forms often carry intensity, majesty, or collective singularity, adding theological richness to their usage.
Semantic and Poetic Implications
The number system in Biblical Hebrew carries semantic weight beyond mere counting:
- עַ֫יִן (eye, singular) vs. עֵינַ֫יִם (a literal pair) vs. עֵינִים (multiple eyes)
- יָדַ֫יִם used metaphorically in poetry (cf. Song of Songs 5:5)
Dual forms often appear in poetic and liturgical texts to evoke completeness, intimacy, or divine symmetry. Their appearance in Song of Songs (e.g., דְּדַיַּ֫יִךְ טֹ֫בַ֫יִם) underscores their aesthetic and symbolic value.
Conclusion: Number as Structure and Symbol
The singular–dual–plural distinction in Biblical Hebrew is more than a morphological curiosity—it reflects an intricate worldview. The dual encodes a sense of balance and design, the plural suggests magnitude or intensity, and the singular grounds the language in specificity. To read Hebrew with sensitivity to number is to hear its underlying poetic symmetry and grasp its theological resonance.
