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Recent Articles
- The Hebrew Verb בָּקַר: To Seek, Inquire, or Inspect
- The Mark of Mercy: Legal Syntax and Divine Protection in Genesis 4:15
- The Hebrew Verb בָּצַע: To Cut Off, Break Open, or Gain Unjustly
- Teaching the Law: Syntax of Instruction and Inheritance in Deuteronomy 4:14
- The Hebrew Verb בָּנָה: To Build, Construct, or Establish
- Dream Syntax and Divine Communication: Structural Layers in Job 4:13
- The Hebrew Verb בָּלַע: To Swallow, Devour, or Destroy
- Concealing the Sacred: Sequential Syntax and Ritual Handling in Numbers 4:12
- The Hebrew Verb בָּלַט: To Slip Away, Be Secret, or Move Stealthily
- Appositional Syntax and Dynastic Integration in 1 Kings 4:11
- Conditional Syntax and Communal Anthropology in Ecclesiastes 4:11
- The Hebrew Verb בָּכָה: To Weep or Cry
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Author Archives: Biblical Hebrew
“Destroyers and Scatterers of My Flock”: Analyzing the Participles מְאַבְּדִים and מְפִצִים in Jeremiah 23:1
Introduction to Jeremiah 23:1: Prophetic Indictment Against False Shepherds Jeremiah 23:1 opens a powerful oracle of woe against the leaders of Yisra’el, metaphorically called “shepherds” who have failed in their responsibility to care for the flock of YHWH. The use … Continue reading
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The Hebrew Verb אָחַז – “To Seize” or “To Grasp”
The Hebrew verb אָחַז (ʾāḥaz) is a common and important root in Biblical Hebrew. It means “to seize,” “to grasp,” or “to take hold of,” and is used in various contexts throughout the Tanakh—from grasping physical objects like weapons and … Continue reading
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Singulars of Measure in Biblical Hebrew
The phenomenon of the singular of measure in Biblical Hebrew is a fascinating grammatical and syntactic feature. It reflects how Hebrew expresses quantity, time, age, and other measurable constructs using a singular noun to represent a plural idea. In this … Continue reading
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“Please Pray for Us”: Analyzing הִתְפַּלֶּל־נָא in Jeremiah 37:3
Introduction to Jeremiah 37:3: A King’s Desperate Request Jeremiah 37:3 records a politically and spiritually significant moment: King Tsidqiyyāh sends envoys to request intercessory prayer from the prophet Yirmeyāhū. The plea is encapsulated in the verb הִתְפַּלֶּל־נָא, meaning “Please pray!”—a … Continue reading
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The Struggle Within: Analyzing וַיִּתְרֹצֲצוּ in Genesis 25:22
Introduction to Genesis 25:22: Prenatal Prophecy and Maternal Distress Genesis 25:22 presents a moment of profound mystery: Rivqah experiences intense internal movement during pregnancy. The verb וַיִּתְרֹצֲצוּ describes what the unborn children are doing within her, and her response leads … Continue reading
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The Construct Chain in Psalm 1:3
Introduction to Psalm 1:3 Psalm 1:3 is a vivid poetic description of the righteous individual, comparing them to a tree planted by streams of water. The verse employs various grammatical constructs, including the construct chain (סְמִיכוּת), which plays a crucial … Continue reading
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Training Up a Child: Analyzing חֲנֹךְ in Proverbs 22:6
Introduction to Proverbs 22:6: The Way a Child Should Go Proverbs 22:6 stands as one of the most quoted and widely discussed verses in the Hebrew Bible regarding parenting and education. At its heart is the imperative verb חֲנֹךְ (ḥănōkh), … Continue reading
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The Hebrew Verb אָחַד – “To Unite”
The Hebrew root א־ח־ד gives rise to the familiar adjective אֶחָד meaning “one.” However, in rare cases, this root also functions as a verb in the Qal stem: אָחַד – “to unite.” While it appears very infrequently in the Hebrew … Continue reading
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The Hitpael Verb מִתְהַלֶּכֶת in Ezekiel 1:13
Introduction to Ezekiel 1:13 Ezekiel 1:13 presents a striking description of the living creatures in the prophet’s vision, depicting their likeness as burning coals of fire, moving like torches. A key grammatical feature in this verse is the verb מִתְהַלֶּכֶת … Continue reading
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The Qal Imperfect Verb אֶשְׁלָחֲךָ in Jeremiah 1:7
Introduction to Jeremiah 1:7 Jeremiah 1:7 records YHWH’s response to the prophet’s hesitation, reassuring him that his youth does not disqualify him from divine commission. A key grammatical feature in this verse is the verb אֶשְׁלָחֲךָ (ʾeshlaḥăkha), which appears in … Continue reading
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