Temporal Clauses and Chronological Markers in Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to 1 Kings 6:1

1 Kings 6:1 provides a precise chronological marker, situating the construction of Solomon’s Temple in relation to the Exodus from Egypt. This verse is significant because it demonstrates how Biblical Hebrew expresses time through temporal clauses, specific numerical expressions, and verb structures. The phrase “וַיְהִ֣י בִשְׁמֹונִ֣ים שָׁנָ֣ה וְאַרְבַּ֣ע מֵאֹ֣ות שָׁנָ֡ה” (“And it was in the 480th year”) highlights the Hebrew method of expressing ordinal chronology.

וַיְהִ֣י בִשְׁמֹונִ֣ים שָׁנָ֣ה וְאַרְבַּ֣ע מֵאֹ֣ות שָׁנָ֡ה לְצֵ֣את בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל מֵאֶֽרֶץ־מִצְרַיִם֩ בַּשָּׁנָ֨ה הָרְבִיעִ֜ית בְּחֹ֣דֶשׁ זִ֗ו ה֚וּא הַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשֵּׁנִ֔י לִמְלֹ֥ךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיִּ֥בֶן הַבַּ֖יִת לַיהוָֽה׃

Analysis of Key Words/Phrases

1. וַיְהִ֣י (vay’hi)
   • Root: הָיָה (“to be”)
   • Form: Conjugated verb, Qal wayyiqtol, 3rd masculine singular
   • Translation: “And it was”
   • Notes: A common temporal marker introducing a narrative or event.
2. בִשְׁמֹונִ֣ים שָׁנָ֣ה וְאַרְבַּ֣ע מֵאֹ֣ות שָׁנָ֡ה (bishmonim shanah ve’arba me’ot shanah)
   • Numerical phrase indicating “480 years.”
   • Syntax: Biblical Hebrew places hundreds after smaller units, unlike modern conventions.
   • Notes: This structure is frequently used in biblical chronology.
3. לְצֵ֣את בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל מֵאֶֽרֶץ־מִצְרַיִם֩ (letset bnei-Yisra’el me’eretz Mitsrayim)
   • Temporal clause: “from the Exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt.”
   • Verb: לָצֵאת (infinitive construct, “to go out”).
   • Prepositional phrase: מֵאֶֽרֶץ־מִצְרַיִם (“from the land of Egypt”).
   • Function: Establishes the historical timeframe for Solomon’s temple construction.
4. בַּשָּׁנָ֨ה הָרְבִיעִ֜ית (bashanah harvi’it)
   • Ordinal number phrase: “in the fourth year.”
   • Definite article (הַ) attached to the ordinal number רְבִיעִ֜ית (fourth).
   • Syntax: Hebrew ordinals follow the noun they modify.
5. בְּחֹ֣דֶשׁ זִ֗ו (bekhodesh Ziv)
   • Noun phrase: “in the month of Ziv.”
   • Ziv: An older name for the second month (later called Iyyar).
   • Notes: Shows early Hebrew calendar terminology.
6. וַיִּ֥בֶן הַבַּ֖יִת לַיהוָֽה (vayyiven habayit laYHWH)
   • Verb: וַיִּ֥בֶן (wayyiqtol, “and he built”).
   • Direct Object: הַבַּ֖יִת (“the house,” i.e., the temple).
   • Prepositional phrase: לַיהוָֽה (“for YHWH”).
   • Function: Marks the completion of the temple-building action.

Explanation of Grammatical Function

The Use of וַיְהִ֣י as a Temporal Marker

The verb וַיְהִ֣י (way’hi) is a wayyiqtol form of הָיָה (“to be”). It frequently introduces a new event or marks a transition in narrative. In this verse, it sets up the chronological framework for Solomon’s temple construction.

Chronological Expressions in Hebrew

Biblical Hebrew expresses dates differently from modern usage:

• Numbers follow a pattern: units (e.g., שְׁמֹנִים = 80) precede hundreds (e.g., אַרְבַּע מֵאֹות = 400).
• Ordinal years use definite articles (e.g., הָרְבִיעִ֜ית “the fourth year”).
• Time-related verbs like לָצֵאת (to go out) often appear in infinitive construct to anchor the event in history.

The Construct Chain in לְצֵ֣את בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל

The phrase לְצֵ֣את בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל is a construct chain where:

• בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל is in construct form (i.e., “sons of Israel” rather than “the sons, Israel”).
• לְצֵ֣את is an infinitive construct governing the phrase, meaning “from the going out of…”.
• This type of construction is common in Hebrew chronological statements.

The Use of וַיִּ֥בֶן (Wayyiqtol) for Sequential Action

The verb וַיִּ֥בֶן (“and he built”) is in the wayyiqtol form, which:

• Expresses sequential action in historical narrative.
• Links events in the past—”and then he built.”
• Marks the climax of the verse, showing Solomon’s construction of the temple.

The Role of Chronological Markers in Biblical Hebrew

1 Kings 6:1 serves as a key example of how Biblical Hebrew encodes time and history. The verse connects Solomon’s reign to the Exodus, emphasizing the importance of historical continuity in Hebrew thought.
– The use of וַיְהִי introduces historical events.
– Number sequences follow a structured order (units before hundreds).
– Ordinal expressions clarify sequence in biblical chronology.
– The infinitive construct helps mark a historical event’s timeframe.
– Wayyiqtol verbs like וַיִּ֥בֶן establish narrative sequence.

These features illustrate how temporal expressions function in Biblical Hebrew, shaping the reader’s understanding of biblical history.