-
Recent Articles
- Proverbs and Their Grammatical Structure
- Descending into Night: Time Expressions and Poetic Parallelism in Biblical Hebrew
- The Tiberian Vowel System
- When God Speaks: The Syntax of Divine Speech Frames in Biblical Hebrew
- The Role of Gutturals (א, ה, ח, ע) in Verb Conjugation
- “Into the Ark Together”: Order, Gender, and Cause in the LXX Rendering of Noah’s Entry
- Burning Beneath the Pot: Simile Syntax and Semantic Force in Ecclesiastes 7:6
- Gutturals in Biblical Hebrew
- Guarded by Grammar: Purpose Clauses and Verbal Suffixes in Proverbs 7:5
- And They Fled Before the Men of ʿAi”: A Hebrew Battle Surprise
- Theophoric Names in the Hebrew Bible: Divine Elements in Human Identity
- “Go Out to Meet Ahaz”: A Hebrew Mission in Isaiah 7:3
Categories
Archives
Author Archives: Biblical Hebrew
The Mark of Mercy: Legal Syntax and Divine Protection in Genesis 4:15
Introduction: Justice, Restraint, and the Grammar of Protection
Genesis 4:15 follows Qayin’s lament over his punishment after murdering his brother Hevel. In response, YHWH declares a protective measure, both judicial and symbolic. This verse marks a shift from retribution to preservation, framed in judicial language and divine initiative:
וַיֹּ֧אמֶר לֹ֣ו יְהוָ֗ה לָכֵן֙ כָּל־הֹרֵ֣ג קַ֔יִן שִׁבְעָתַ֖יִם יֻקָּ֑ם וַיָּ֨שֶׂם יְהוָ֤ה לְקַ֨יִן֙ אֹ֔ות לְבִלְתִּ֥י הַכֹּות־אֹתֹ֖ו כָּל־מֹצְאֹֽו׃
And the LORD said to him, “Therefore, whoever kills Qayin, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold.” And the LORD placed a sign for Qayin, so that no one who found him would strike him.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Grammar
Tagged Genesis 4:15
Comments Off on 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
The Hebrew verb בָּצַע (root: ב-צ-ע) primarily means “to cut off,” “to break open,” or “to divide.” Over time, it developed figurative meanings, including “to plunder,” “to gain by violence,” or “to profit unjustly.” In biblical usage, it often carries a negative moral connotation—especially in prophetic texts where it is associated with greed, corruption, and exploitation.
בָּצַע appears most frequently in the Qal binyan and occasionally in Niphal (to be broken off) and Pual (to be greedily taken).
Qal Binyan Conjugation of בָּצַע
Past (Perfect) Tense
Person
Form
1st person singular
בָּצַעְתִּי
2nd person masculine singular
בָּצַעְתָּ
2nd person feminine singular
בָּצַעְתְּ
3rd person masculine singular
בָּצַע
3rd person feminine singular
בָּצְעָה
1st person plural
בָּצַעְנוּ
2nd person masculine plural
בְּצַעְתֶּם
2nd person feminine plural
בְּצַעְתֶּן
3rd person plural
בָּצְעוּ
Present (Participle) Tense
Gender/Number
Form
Masculine singular
בּוֹצֵעַ
Feminine singular
בּוֹצַעַת
Masculine plural
בּוֹצְעִים
Feminine plural
בּוֹצְעוֹת
Future (Imperfect) Tense
Person
Form
1st person singular
אֶבְצַע
2nd person masculine singular
תִּבְצַע
2nd person feminine singular
תִּבְצְעִי
3rd person masculine singular
יִבְצַע
3rd person feminine singular
תִּבְצַע
1st person plural
נִבְצַע
2nd person masculine plural
תִּבְצְעוּ
2nd person feminine plural
תִּבְצַעְנָה
3rd person plural
יִבְצְעוּ
Imperative Mood
Person
Form
2nd person masculine singular
בְּצַע
2nd person feminine singular
בִּצְעִי
2nd person masculine plural
בִּצְעוּ
2nd person feminine plural
בְּצַעְנָה
Usage in Scripture
Genesis 37:26 – מַה־בֶּצַע כִּי נַהֲרֹג אֶת־אָחִינוּ
“What profit is there if we kill our brother?”… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Vocabulary
Tagged בצע
Comments Off on The Hebrew Verb בָּצַע: To Cut Off, Break Open, or Gain Unjustly
Teaching the Law: Syntax of Instruction and Inheritance in Deuteronomy 4:14
Introduction: Mediated Revelation and Covenant Continuity
Deuteronomy 4:14 presents Moshe’s retrospective account of receiving and transmitting YHWH’s law to Israel in preparation for entering the promised land. The verse sits at the intersection of memory and mandate, summarizing Israel’s calling to obedience through the lens of Moshe’s divine commission:
וְאֹתִ֞י צִוָּ֤ה יְהוָה֙ בָּעֵ֣ת הַהִ֔וא לְלַמֵּ֣ד אֶתְכֶ֔ם חֻקִּ֖ים וּמִשְׁפָּטִ֑ים לַעֲשֹׂתְכֶ֣ם אֹתָ֔ם בָּאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַתֶּ֛ם עֹבְרִ֥ים שָׁ֖מָּה לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃
And the LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that you may do them in the land which you are crossing over to possess.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Grammar, Theology
Tagged Deuteronomy 4:14
Comments Off on Teaching the Law: Syntax of Instruction and Inheritance in Deuteronomy 4:14
The Hebrew Verb בָּנָה: To Build, Construct, or Establish
The Hebrew verb בָּנָה (root: ב-נ-ה) means “to build,” “to construct,” or “to establish.” It is a foundational term in biblical Hebrew, used both literally—for constructing houses, cities, or altars—and metaphorically—for establishing families, dynasties, or spiritual legacies. It occurs frequently in narrative, poetic, legal, and prophetic texts.
בָּנָה is a hollow verb (middle root letter is a weak נ), resulting in irregularities in some conjugations. It appears primarily in the Qal binyan, with additional occurrences in Niphal (to be built) and Pual (to be constructed passively).… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Vocabulary
Tagged בנה
Comments Off on The Hebrew Verb בָּנָה: To Build, Construct, or Establish
Dream Syntax and Divine Communication: Structural Layers in Job 4:13
Introduction: Visionary Fragments and Nocturnal Revelation in Joban Dialogue
Job 4:13 occurs within the first speech of Elifaz, in which he recounts a mysterious, fearsome nocturnal revelation that offers theological perspective on divine justice. This verse introduces the setting and medium of that revelation, emphasizing its obscurity and psychological power:
בִּ֭שְׂעִפִּים מֵחֶזְיֹנֹ֣ות לָ֑יְלָה בִּנְפֹ֥ל תַּ֝רְדֵּמָ֗ה עַל־אֲנָשִֽׁים׃
In troubling thoughts from night visions, when deep sleep falls on men—
This verse is a prelude to a divine message delivered in verse 14ff.… Learn Hebrew
The Hebrew Verb בָּלַע: To Swallow, Devour, or Destroy
The Hebrew verb בָּלַע (root: ב-ל-ע) means “to swallow,” “to devour,” “to consume,” or “to destroy.” It often conveys a violent or sudden action, such as an enemy overtaking someone, the earth swallowing the wicked, or time consuming strength. It is frequently found in poetic and prophetic contexts to describe destruction or overwhelming judgment.
בָּלַע appears primarily in the Qal binyan and also occurs in Piel (intensive: to utterly consume) and Niphal (passive: to be swallowed). The vivid imagery of this verb contributes to many dramatic scenes in the Hebrew Bible.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Vocabulary
Tagged בלע
Comments Off on The Hebrew Verb בָּלַע: To Swallow, Devour, or Destroy
Concealing the Sacred: Sequential Syntax and Ritual Handling in Numbers 4:12
Introduction: Order, Reverence, and Sanctity in the Wilderness Tabernacle
Numbers 4:12 forms part of the priestly instructions for transporting the most sacred items of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) during the wilderness journeys. Specifically, it details the procedures for packing the service vessels used in the Holy Place. The verse reads:
וְלָקְחוּ֩ אֶת־כָּל־כְּלֵ֨י הַשָּׁרֵ֜ת אֲשֶׁ֧ר יְשָֽׁרְתוּ־בָ֣ם בַּקֹּ֗דֶשׁ וְנָֽתְנוּ֙ אֶל־בֶּ֣גֶד תְּכֵ֔לֶת וְכִסּ֣וּ אֹותָ֔ם בְּמִכְסֵ֖ה עֹ֣ור תָּ֑חַשׁ וְנָתְנ֖וּ עַל־הַמֹּֽוט׃
And they shall take all the service vessels with which they minister in the sanctuary, and place them in a blue cloth, and cover them with a covering of tachash leather, and place them on the carrying frame.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Grammar, Theology
Tagged Numbers 4:12
Comments Off on Concealing the Sacred: Sequential Syntax and Ritual Handling in Numbers 4:12
The Hebrew Verb בָּלַט: To Slip Away, Be Secret, or Move Stealthily
The Hebrew verb בָּלַט (root: ב-ל-ט) is a relatively rare verb that carries the sense of “moving stealthily,” “acting secretly,” “sneaking away,” or “slipping quietly.” It often appears in poetic or narrative contexts, describing hidden or cautious movement, either physically or emotionally.
In most biblical occurrences, בָּלַט functions in the Qal stem, though it is primarily used in participial or adverbial forms (e.g., בַּלָּט, meaning “secretly” or “quietly”). It is less commonly used than other verbs for concealment, but it offers vivid imagery when it does appear.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Vocabulary
Tagged בלט
Comments Off on The Hebrew Verb בָּלַט: To Slip Away, Be Secret, or Move Stealthily
Appositional Syntax and Dynastic Integration in 1 Kings 4:11
Introduction: Administrative Structure and Royal Marriage in the Solomonic Era
1 Kings 4 (Hebrew 5) provides a detailed account of King Shelomoh’s (Solomon’s) administrative organization. Among the named officials is a regional governor who receives special attention because of his marital connection to the royal family. The verse reads:
בֶּן־אֲבִֽינָדָ֖ב כָּל־נָ֣פַת דֹּ֑אר טָפַת֙ בַּת־שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה הָ֥יְתָה לֹּ֖ו לְאִשָּֽׁה׃
Ben-Avinadav: all the region of Dor. Tafat, the daughter of Shelomoh, was his wife.
This verse, while brief, packs multiple syntactic and socio-political elements into a compact narrative unit.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Grammar, Theology
Tagged 1 Kings 4:11
Comments Off on Appositional Syntax and Dynastic Integration in 1 Kings 4:11
Conditional Syntax and Communal Anthropology in Ecclesiastes 4:11
Introduction: Companionship, Survival, and the Poetics of Two
Ecclesiastes 4:11 sits within a poetic unit (vv. 9–12) extolling the benefits of companionship over isolation. The passage uses practical imagery to promote shared life and mutual aid. This verse, in particular, draws from everyday physical experience to make a larger existential point:
גַּ֛ם אִם־יִשְׁכְּב֥וּ שְׁנַ֖יִם וְחַ֣ם לָהֶ֑ם וּלְאֶחָ֖ד אֵ֥יךְ יֵחָֽם׃
Also, if two lie down together, they will be warm; but how can one be warm alone?
In this concise and elegant verse, Hebrew grammar underscores the poet’s argument for partnership through conditional syntax, pragmatic emphasis using rhetorical question, and juxtaposition of verbs in complementary clauses.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Grammar, Theology
Tagged Ecclesiastes 4:11
Comments Off on Conditional Syntax and Communal Anthropology in Ecclesiastes 4:11