Author Archives: Biblical Hebrew

The Hebrew verb בָּכָה (root: ב-כ-ה) means “to weep,” “to cry,” or “to lament.” It is one of the most emotive verbs in the Hebrew Bible and appears frequently in narratives, poetry, and laments to express sorrow, mourning, or intense emotion—whether in personal grief, national tragedy, or divine lament. The verb appears mostly in the Qal and Piel binyanim: – Qal: simple weeping, often spontaneous or uncontrolled. – Piel: intensive or formal weeping (e.g., wailing, prolonged mourning).   Qal Binyan Conjugation of בָּכָה Past (Perfect) Tense Person Form 1st person singular בָּכִיתִי 2nd person masculine singular בָּכִיתָ 2nd person feminine singular בָּכִית 3rd person masculine singular בָּכָה 3rd person feminine singular בָּכְתָה 1st person plural בָּכִינוּ 2nd person masculine plural בְּכִיתֶם 2nd person feminine plural בְּכִיתֶן 3rd person plural בָּכוּ Present (Participle) Tense Gender/Number Form Masculine singular בּוֹכֶה Feminine singular בּוֹכָה Masculine plural בּוֹכִים Feminine plural בּוֹכוֹת Future (Imperfect) Tense Person Form 1st person singular אֶבְכֶּה 2nd person masculine singular תִּבְכֶּה 2nd person feminine singular תִּבְכִּי 3rd person masculine singular יִבְכֶּה 3rd person feminine singular תִּבְכֶּה 1st person plural נִבְכֶּה 2nd person masculine plural תִּבְכּוּ 2nd person feminine plural תִּבְכֶּינָה 3rd person plural יִבְכּוּ Imperative Mood Person Form 2nd person masculine singular בְּכֵה 2nd person feminine singular בְּכִי 2nd person masculine plural בְּכוּ 2nd person feminine plural בְּכֶינָה   Usage in Scripture Genesis 45:14 – וַיִּפֹּל עַל־צַוְּאַרֵי בִנְיָמִין אָחִיו וַיֵּבְךְּ “He fell on the neck of his brother Binyamin and wept.”… Learn Hebrew

The Hebrew verb בִּין (root: ב-י-ן) is a hollow verb meaning “to understand,” “to discern,” “to consider,” or “to perceive with insight.” It is a central concept in biblical wisdom literature, particularly in Proverbs, where understanding (בִּינָה) is prized alongside knowledge (דַּעַת) and wisdom (חָכְמָה). It often implies not just comprehension but discernment and the capacity to distinguish between things. בִּין most frequently appears in the Qal and Hiphil stems: – Qal: to have understanding or insight. – Hiphil: to cause to understand, to teach, or to explain.… Learn Hebrew

The Hebrew verb בָּטֵל (root: ב-ט-ל) means “to cease,” “to be idle,” “to become null,” or “to be ineffective.” It conveys the idea of stopping an action or rendering something void or powerless. In biblical Hebrew, this verb appears both in literal contexts—such as cessation of labor or activities—and in legal or theological contexts—such as nullifying covenants or abolishing ordinances. בָּטֵל is primarily found in the Niphal (passive/reflexive: “to be nullified”) and Hiphil (causative: “to make void” or “to abolish”) stems, but its Qal form also carries the meaning of “to be idle” or “to cease.”… Learn Hebrew

The Hebrew verb בָּטַח (root: ב-ט-ח) means “to trust,” “to be confident,” or “to rely upon.” It is one of the most important and frequently used words in biblical Hebrew for expressing faith, security, and dependence—especially on YHWH. The verb implies a deep sense of assurance or placing one’s confidence in something or someone. בָּטַח appears predominantly in the Qal stem, often followed by the prepositions בְּ (in) or עַל (upon), and is richly used in Psalms, Proverbs, and prophetic literature.… Learn Hebrew

The Hebrew verb בָּחַר (root: ב-ח-ר) means “to choose,” “to select,” or “to prefer.” It plays a crucial theological role in the Hebrew Bible, often used in relation to divine election—God choosing individuals (like Avraham or David), tribes (like Levi), or the nation of Yisra’el. בָּחַר appears primarily in the Qal binyan, where it describes the simple action of choosing. It is frequently followed by the preposition בְּ (indicating the one who is chosen).   Qal Binyan Conjugation of בָּחַר Past (Perfect) Tense Person Form 1st person singular בָּחַרְתִּי 2nd person masculine singular בָּחַרְתָּ 2nd person feminine singular בָּחַרְתְּ 3rd person masculine singular בָּחַר 3rd person feminine singular בָּחֲרָה 1st person plural בָּחַרְנוּ 2nd person masculine plural בְּחַרְתֶּם 2nd person feminine plural בְּחַרְתֶּן 3rd person plural בָּחֲרוּ Present (Participle) Tense Gender/Number Form Masculine singular בֹּחֵר Feminine singular בֹּחֶרֶת Masculine plural בּוֹחֲרִים Feminine plural בּוֹחֲרוֹת Future (Imperfect) Tense Person Form 1st person singular אֶבְחַר 2nd person masculine singular תִּבְחַר 2nd person feminine singular תִּבְחֲרִי 3rd person masculine singular יִבְחַר 3rd person feminine singular תִּבְחַר 1st person plural נִבְחַר 2nd person masculine plural תִּבְחֲרוּ 2nd person feminine plural תִּבְחַרְנָה 3rd person plural יִבְחֲרוּ Imperative Mood Person Form 2nd person masculine singular בְּחַר 2nd person feminine singular בַּחֲרִי 2nd person masculine plural בַּחֲרוּ 2nd person feminine plural בְּחַרְנָה   Usage in Scripture Deuteronomy 7:6 – בְּךָ בָּחַר יְהוָה “The LORD has chosen you…” — referring to the election of Yisra’el.… Learn Hebrew