יָדָ֣יו תְּבִיאֶ֔ינָה אֵ֖ת אִשֵּׁ֣י יְהוָ֑ה אֶת־הַחֵ֤לֶב עַל־הֶֽחָזֶה֙ יְבִיאֶ֔נּוּ אֵ֣ת הֶחָזֶ֗ה לְהָנִ֥יף אֹתֹ֛ו תְּנוּפָ֖ה לִפְנֵ֥י יְהוָֽה׃
(Leviticus 7:30)
Literal English Translation
His hands shall bring the fire-offerings of YHWH—the fat with the breast he shall bring it, the breast—to wave it as a wave offering before YHWH.
Word-by-Word Explanation
- יָדָיו – “his hands”Noun, dual form of יָד (“hand”) with a 3rd person masculine singular suffix ָיו = “his.” Refers to the offerer’s own hands.
- תְּבִיאֶינָה – “shall bring”Verb, 3rd person feminine plural, **imperfect** from בּוֹא (“to come/bring”). It agrees in form with the feminine plural subject יָדָיו (“his hands”). This is a poetic or elevated grammatical usage: “his hands shall bring.”
- אֵת – Direct object markerIndicates that what follows is the direct object of the verb.
- אִשֵּׁי יְהוָה – “the fire-offerings of YHWH”אִשֵּׁי is the plural construct form of אִשֶּׁה (a fire-offering).
יְהוָה is in construct relationship: “offerings of YHWH.” - אֶת־הַחֵלֶב – “the fat”חֵלֶב = “fat” (of the offering, especially from organs). This is sacred and belongs to YHWH (see Leviticus 3). It is again marked with אֵת.
- עַל־הֶחָזֶה – “on the breast”Preposition + noun: עַל = “on/upon,” הֶחָזֶה = “the breast.” Refers to the part of the animal lifted up in offering.
- יְבִיאֶנּוּ – “he shall bring it”Verb, 3rd person masculine singular, **imperfect** from בּוֹא. The suffix נּוּ = “it.” Refers back to “the fat on the breast.”
- אֵת הֶחָזֶה – “the breast” (again)Repeated with אֵת for emphasis or clarity. Hebrew often reiterates to prepare for a new action on the same item.
- לְהָנִיף – “to wave”Infinitive from נוּף, “to wave” (a sacrificial action symbolizing offering to YHWH). The לְ prefix = “to.”
- אֹתוֹ – “it”Pronoun (object suffix): masculine singular, referring again to הֶחָזֶה, the breast.
- תְּנוּפָה – “a wave offering”Noun. A specific type of sacrificial ritual where part of the offering is lifted or waved before YHWH.
- לִפְנֵי יְהוָה – “before YHWH”Preposition + noun: לִפְנֵי = “before/in front of,” יְהוָה = “the LORD.” The offering is waved in God’s presence.
Word Order and Sentence Flow
This verse describes the priestly ritual step-by-step, with layered clauses that reflect both physical movement and sacred intention:
1. The hands are the actors — יָדָיו תְּבִיאֶינָה
2. The fire-offerings and fat are the objects — אֵת אִשֵּׁי יְהוָה… אֶת־הַחֵלֶב
3. On the breast — indicating placement of the fat
4. He brings it (again) — יְבִיאֶנּוּ
5. To wave the breast as an act of dedication — לְהָנִיף אֹתוֹ תְּנוּפָה לִפְנֵי יְהוָה
Each phrase adds either **movement**, **object**, or **purpose**, ending in the climactic phrase “before YHWH.”
Visual Guide: Priestly Offering Sequence
| Hebrew Phrase | English Meaning | Action Step |
|---|---|---|
| יָדָיו תְּבִיאֶינָה | His hands shall bring | Initiating the offering |
| אֵת אִשֵּׁי יְהוָה | The fire-offerings of YHWH | What is brought |
| אֶת־הַחֵלֶב עַל־הֶחָזֶה | The fat on the breast | Placement detail |
| יְבִיאֶנּוּ | He shall bring it | Continued motion |
| אֵת הֶחָזֶה לְהָנִיף אֹתוֹ | The breast to wave it | Waving ritual |
| תְּנוּפָה לִפְנֵי יְהוָה | A wave offering before YHWH | Climactic sacred act |
Brick by Brick: Building Hebrew Understanding
> “You’ve just followed the movements of holy hands—and understood every step in Hebrew!”
You explored:
– Dual nouns with plural verbs (יָדָיו תְּבִיאֶינָה)
– Sacred vocabulary like אִשֵּׁי יְהוָה and תְּנוּפָה
– Repetition for clarity and liturgical emphasis
Even one priestly action opens the door to a world of Hebrew ritual, form, and meaning. You’re not just learning words—you’re learning the language of holiness.
Keep waving forward—you’re offering yourself to the sacred text, one verse at a time.
