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Recent Articles
- Fear, Dominion, and Syntax: A Grammar Lesson from Genesis 9:2
- “And Job Answered and Said”: A Hebrew Lesson on Job 9:1
- Syntax of Covenant Obedience: The Altar of Uncut Stones in Joshua 8:31
- Unlock the Secrets of the Tanakh: Why Hebrew Morphology is the Key
- The Poetics of Verbal Repetition in Proverbs 8:30
- Syntax of the Wave Offering: Moses and the Breast Portion in Leviticus 8:29
- Firm Skies and Deep Springs: Grammar in Proverbs 8:28
- Only the Spoil: A Hebrew Lesson on Joshua 8:27
- Binyanim Under Pressure: Exodus 8:26
- When Service Ends: A Hebrew Lesson on Numbers 8:25
- Consecration Through Syntax: The Priestly Ritual in Leviticus 8:24
- “A Three-Day Journey”: The Syntax of Volition and Deixis in Exodus According to Targum Onkelos
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Author Archives: Hebrew Grammar for Beginners
Sons Begging, Strength Returned: A Hebrew Walkthrough of Job 20:10
בָּ֭נָיו יְרַצּ֣וּ דַלִּ֑ים וְ֝יָדָ֗יו תָּשֵׁ֥בְנָה אֹונֹֽו׃
(Job 20:10)
His sons will seek favor from the poor, and his hands will return his strength.
“Each suffix and verb you unpack is another key to hearing Hebrew’s poetic irony.”
Word-by-Word Explanation
בָּנָיו — “his sons.” From בֵּן (“son”) + plural + suffix -ָיו (“his”).
יְרַצּוּ — “they will seek favor / beg.” Qal imperfect 3mp from רָצָה (“to be pleased, accept”). In this poetic context, it conveys humiliation: “seek favor from” or “beg from.”… Learn Hebrew
“My Closest Friends Abhor Me” – The Emotional Weight of Job 19:19
תִּֽ֭עֲבוּנִי כָּל־מְתֵ֣י סֹודִ֑י וְזֶֽה־֝אָהַ֗בְתִּי נֶהְפְּכוּ־בִֽי׃
(Job 19:19)
All the men of my secret counsel abhor me, and those I loved have turned against me.
Word-by-Word Explanation
תִּֽעֲבוּנִי – “they abhor me”Verb, imperfect form (future-like), from the root ת־ע־ב (“to loathe” or “to abhor”).
– תִּֽעֲבוּ = “they will abhor” (3rd person masculine plural, imperfect)
– נִי = “me” (1st person singular object suffix)
Together: “they abhor me” or “they loathe me.”
This expresses deep rejection—Job feels utterly despised.
כָּל־ – “all”A common word meaning “every” or “all of.”… Learn Hebrew
When Silence Becomes Guilt
וְהָיָ֗ה הָאִישׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־יִשְׁמַע֙ אֶל־דְּבָרַ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר יְדַבֵּ֖ר בִּשְׁמִ֑י אָנֹכִ֖י אֶדְרֹ֥שׁ מֵעִמֹּֽו׃
(Deuteronomy 18:19)
A Voice That Must Be Heard
This verse is a solemn divine warning. YHWH declares that He Himself will hold accountable any person who refuses to heed the prophet who speaks in His name. The setting is covenantal: Israel has asked for an intermediary so they won’t hear God’s overwhelming voice directly (see v. 16), and God agrees—yet with one condition: the prophet’s word must still carry divine authority.… Learn Hebrew
Joyful Return: Exploring Isaiah 35:10 in Beginner Hebrew
וּפְדוּיֵ֨י יְהוָ֜ה יְשֻׁב֗וּן וּבָ֤אוּ צִיֹּון֙ בְּרִנָּ֔ה וְשִׂמְחַ֥ת עֹולָ֖ם עַל־רֹאשָׁ֑ם שָׂשֹׂ֤ון וְשִׂמְחָה֙ יַשִּׂ֔יגוּ וְנָ֖סוּ יָגֹ֥ון וַאֲנָחָֽה
(Isaiah 35:10)
This powerful and poetic verse from Isaiah is filled with emotion, movement, and transformation. We’ll use it to explore basic Hebrew grammar, focusing on verbs, nouns, and how Hebrew expresses joy and deliverance using rhythm and repetition.
English Translation (Simple and Clear)
And the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and they shall come to Zion with singing, and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads.… Learn Hebrew
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Engraved Forever: Hebrew Imagery in Job 19:24
בְּעֵט־בַּרְזֶ֥ל וְעֹפָ֑רֶת לָ֝עַ֗ד בַּצּ֥וּר יֵחָצְבֽוּן׃
(Job 19:24)
This poetic line from the Book of Job expresses a longing for permanence—words written so they could never be erased. It uses vivid imagery of engraving into rock with metal and lead. The verse is beautifully constructed and introduces vocabulary from the world of ancient inscriptions. Let’s dig in!
English Translation (Literal and Clear)
With an iron stylus and lead, forever they would be carved in the rock.
Job wishes his words would be permanently recorded—not just written in ink, but engraved in stone with iron and filled with lead to last forever.… Learn Hebrew
Hunger and Calamity: A Miniature Poem of Judgment in Job 18:12
יְהִי־רָעֵ֥ב אֹנֹ֑ו וְ֝אֵ֗יד נָכֹ֥ון לְצַלְעֹֽו׃
(Job 18:12)
This short poetic verse is part of Bildad’s speech in the Book of Job, describing the fate of the wicked. The verse may look small, but it’s packed with Biblical Hebrew features: jussive verbs (wishes or commands), rare vocabulary, parallel structure, and construct phrases. Let’s learn how it works!
English Translation (Literal and Clear)
May hunger consume his strength, and disaster be ready at his side.
This is a poetic curse or expression of ruin.… Learn Hebrew
Roots Below, Harvest Above: Reading Job 18:16 in Hebrew
מִ֭תַּחַת שָֽׁרָשָׁ֣יו יִבָ֑שׁוּ וּ֝מִמַּ֗עַל יִמַּ֥ל קְצִירֹֽו׃
(Job 18:16)
From beneath his roots they dry up, and from above his harvest withers.
“Don’t worry if it feels strange—each word you decode is another brick in your Hebrew foundation!”
Word-by-Word Explanation
מִתַּחַת — “from beneath.” The preposition מִן (“from”) joined to תַּחַת (“under, beneath”).
שָׁרָשָׁיו — “his roots.” From שֹׁרֶשׁ (“root”) with plural + possessive suffix -ָיו (“his”).
יִבָשׁוּ — “they dry up.” Imperfect 3rd masculine plural from the root meaning “to dry/wither,” with שָׁרָשָׁיו (“his roots”) as the subject.… Learn Hebrew
“Who Shut in the Sea?” — A Dramatic Moment from Job 38:8
וַיָּ֣סֶךְ בִּדְלָתַ֣יִם יָ֑ם בְּ֝גִיחֹ֗ו מֵרֶ֥חֶם יֵצֵֽא׃
(Job 38:8)
And He shut in the sea with doors, when it burst forth, it came out from the womb.
Word-by-Word Explanation
וַיָּסֶךְ – “And He shut in”Verb, Qal stem, imperfect, 3rd person masculine singular, with vav-consecutive
– From the root סָכַךְ, meaning “to shut in,” “cover,” or “enclose”
– וַ = “And” (vav-consecutive) makes this a past narrative action
This begins the poetic picture of YHWH’s creation power—shutting in the sea like closing a door.… Learn Hebrew
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“The Sons of Yitshar: Shelomith the Chief” – A Brief Genealogical Verse in Hebrew
בְּנֵ֥י יִצְהָ֖ר שְׁלֹמִ֥ית הָרֹֽאשׁ׃
(1 Chronicles 23:18)
The sons of Yitshar: Shelomith the chief.
Word-by-Word Explanation
בְּנֵי – “sons of”Noun in construct form.
– Singular: בֵּן (“son”)
– Plural: בָּנִים
– Construct form: בְּנֵי (“sons of”)
This introduces a genealogical list or descent line.
יִצְהָר – “Yitshar”Proper noun. Yitshar is a son of Qehat, a grandson of Levi. This is a Levitical genealogical name (see Exodus 6:18).
שְׁלֹמִית – “Shelomith”Proper name. The name of a male descendant of Yitshar (despite similar names sometimes being used for women elsewhere).… Learn Hebrew
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The Fool Who Folds His Hands: A Hebrew Lesson on Ecclesiastes 4:5
הַכְּסִיל֙ חֹבֵ֣ק אֶת־יָדָ֔יו וְאֹכֵ֖ל אֶת־בְּשָׂרֹֽו׃
(Ecclesiastes 4:5)
The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh.
Word-by-Word Explanation
הַכְּסִיל — “the fool.” Definite article הַ + noun כְּסִיל (“fool, dullard, senseless one”).
חֹבֵק — “folds / embraces.” Qal participle masculine singular from חבק (“to embrace, fold”). Here describing an ongoing or habitual action.
אֶת־יָדָיו — “his hands.” Direct object marker אֶת + noun יָד (“hand”) in plural + suffix -ָיו (“his”).
וְאֹכֵל — “and eats.” Qal participle masculine singular from אָכַל (“to eat, consume”).… Learn Hebrew
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