Genesis 1:1 in Hebrew
בְּרֵאשִׁ֖ית בָּרָ֣א אֱלֹהִ֑ים אֵ֥ת הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְאֵ֥ת הָאָֽרֶץ׃
Introduction to אֵת
The word אֵת appears twice in Genesis 1:1:
– אֵת הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם – “the heavens”
– וְאֵת הָאָֽרֶץ – “and the earth”
In Biblical Hebrew, אֵת functions as the definite direct object marker, which means it marks the noun that receives the action of the verb when the noun is definite.
אֵת as the Definite Direct Object Marker
In Hebrew, when the direct object is definite (e.g., it has the article ה- “the”), it is often preceded by אֵת.
In Genesis 1:1:
– בָּרָ֣א אֱלֹהִ֑ים – “God created”
– אֵת הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם – “the heavens” (definite direct object)
– וְאֵת הָאָֽרֶץ – “and the earth” (another definite direct object)
Without אֵת, the sentence could be ambiguous, as Biblical Hebrew lacks accusative case endings like Latin or Greek. The אֵת clarifies that “the heavens” and “the earth” are the direct objects of the verb בָּרָ֣א (“created”).
The Absence of אֵת with Indefinite Nouns
If the object of a verb is indefinite, אֵת is usually not used.
For example:
– בָּרָ֣א שָׁמַ֖יִם וָאָרֶץ would mean “created heavens and earth” (more vague, possibly “some heavens and some earth”).
– With אֵת, the meaning is specific: “the heavens and the earth.”
וְאֵת – Use of the Conjunction
The וְ (“and”) before אֵת in וְאֵת הָאָֽרֶץ links two definite direct objects together.
This structure reinforces the parallelism in Genesis 1:1:
– אֵת הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם – “the heavens”
– וְאֵת הָאָֽרֶץ – “and the earth”
Both are clearly defined, complete entities created by God.
אֵת vs. אֹת in Biblical Hebrew
– אֵת – The definite direct object marker (Genesis 1:1).
– אֹת – A noun meaning “sign” or “mark” (e.g., Exodus 4:8, “a sign for you”).
These two words are unrelated but sometimes confused by beginners.
אֵת in Hebrew Syntax
While אֵת is common, it is not always necessary. In poetry or certain prose styles, Hebrew sometimes omits אֵת, even with definite objects.
For example, Genesis 1:1 could theoretically be written:
– בָּרָ֣א אֱלֹהִ֑ים הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְהָאָֽרֶץ
This would still be understood, but adding אֵת makes the sentence clearer and more formal.
Understanding the Role of אֵת in Genesis 1:1
The use of אֵת in Genesis 1:1 highlights a key feature of Biblical Hebrew: the definite direct object marker. It helps distinguish what is being created and reinforces that “the heavens and the earth” are specific, complete entities in the creation narrative.
By marking הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם and הָאָֽרֶץ as direct objects, אֵת ensures clarity in the sentence structure, preventing misinterpretation. Its presence in Genesis 1:1 provides an essential example of Hebrew syntax and how biblical authors used grammatical markers to convey precision.
Understanding the function of אֵת is crucial for students of Biblical Hebrew, as it regularly appears throughout the Hebrew Bible in direct object constructions. Whether in narrative, law, or poetry, the use (or absence) of אֵת can influence meaning and interpretation.
