שִׁמְע֣וּ אֶת־הַדָּבָ֗ר אֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבֶּ֧ר יְהוָ֛ה עֲלֵיכֶ֖ם בֵּ֥ית יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
(Jeremiah 10:1)
Hear the word that YHWH has spoken concerning you, O house of Yisraʾel.
This sentence from the prophet Jeremiah is a direct and powerful call from YHWH to the people of Yisraʾel. But how is that message built in Hebrew? Let’s explore the grammar and structure behind it, one word at a time.
Why Does the Verb Come First?
In Biblical Hebrew, it is very common for sentences to begin with the verb, especially in commands or narrative speech. This gives the sentence energy and immediacy. In Jeremiah 10:1, the first word שִׁמְעוּ is a command, and so it naturally comes first.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
| Hebrew Word | English Meaning | Type of Word | Grammar Clues | Role in Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| שִׁמְע֣וּ | Hear! | Verb (command) | 2nd person plural masculine (you all); from root שׁ־מ־ע | Main action – the command to listen |
| אֶת־ | — | Direct object marker | Not translated; marks what is being heard | Points to the object of the verb |
| הַדָּבָ֗ר | the word | Noun | Prefix הַ = “the”; root ד־ב־ר | The thing being heard |
| אֲשֶׁ֨ר | that / which | Relative pronoun | Links two clauses | Introduces the clause describing the word |
| דִּבֶּ֧ר | He spoke | Verb (perfect) | 3rd person masculine singular; from ד־ב־ר | Main verb of the relative clause |
| יְהוָ֛ה | YHWH | Proper noun | Subject of the verb דִּבֶּר | The one who spoke |
| עֲלֵיכֶ֖ם | concerning you | Preposition + pronoun | עַל = “upon/concerning”; suffix כֶם = “you (plural masculine)” | Shows who the message is directed to |
| בֵּ֥ית | house of | Noun (construct form) | Construct form links it to next word | Part of the name “house of Yisraʾel” |
| יִשְׂרָאֵֽל | Yisraʾel | Proper noun | Name of the people | The audience being addressed |
Key Grammar Features
- Command Form (Imperative): The verb שִׁמְעוּ is in the imperative—used to give a command to a group.
- Direct Object Marker: אֶת is not translated, but it signals that “the word” is the object of the verb.
- Relative Clause: The word אֲשֶׁר starts a new mini-sentence that describes which “word” is being referred to—the one YHWH spoke.
- Construct Chain: בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל is a common Biblical expression meaning “the house of Yisraʾel” (i.e., the people or nation of Yisraʾel).
Encouragement for Learners
If this looked complex at first, just think of what you’ve already learned! You now understand:
- How Hebrew verbs change based on who’s being addressed.
- How a sentence flows from verb to object to detail in Hebrew.
- How Hebrew uses small but powerful words like אֲשֶׁר and אֶת to connect ideas and clarify meaning.
This one short verse contains a full command, a descriptive clause, a subject, and a powerful audience address. You’ve just unlocked the door to reading Hebrew scripture with understanding.
Hebrew in Motion
Jeremiah 10:1 begins with a command – שִׁמְעוּ – calling the people not just to hear, but to truly listen. Every part of the sentence works together to direct attention to YHWH’s word and the people to whom it is spoken. This small verse is a perfect example of Hebrew’s elegant structure, and you’ve already begun to see how it moves.
Keep listening. Keep learning. You’re on your way!
