Author Archives: Biblical Hebrew

The Hebrew verb בּוֹשׁ (root: ב-ו-ש) means “to be ashamed,” “to be confounded,” or “to be disappointed.” It is most commonly used in poetic and prophetic contexts to express emotional distress, embarrassment, or failure. The shame described may be social, moral, or the result of unmet expectations. This verb is primarily used in the Qal binyan, where it expresses a passive state of shame or confusion. It often appears with prepositions like מִן (because of) or עַל (on account of).   Qal Binyan Conjugation of בּוֹשׁ Past (Perfect) Tense Person Form 1st person singular בּוֹשְׁתִּי 2nd person masculine singular בּוֹשְׁתָּ 2nd person feminine singular בּוֹשְׁתְּ 3rd person masculine singular בּוֹשׁ 3rd person feminine singular בּוֹשָׁה 1st person plural בּוֹשְׁנוּ 2nd person masculine plural בּוֹשְׁתֶּם 2nd person feminine plural בּוֹשְׁתֶּן 3rd person plural בּוֹשׁוּ Present (Participle) Tense Gender/Number Form Masculine singular בוֹשׁ Feminine singular בוֹשָׁה Masculine plural בוֹשִׁים Feminine plural בוֹשׁוֹת Future (Imperfect) Tense Person Form 1st person singular אֵבוֹשׁ 2nd person masculine singular תֵּבוֹשׁ 2nd person feminine singular תֵּבוֹשִׁי 3rd person masculine singular יֵבוֹשׁ 3rd person feminine singular תֵּבוֹשׁ 1st person plural נֵבוֹשׁ 2nd person masculine plural תֵּבוֹשׁוּ 2nd person feminine plural תֵּבֹשֶׁנָה 3rd person plural יֵבֹשׁוּ Imperative Mood Person Form 2nd person masculine singular בּוֹשׁ 2nd person feminine singular בּוֹשִׁי 2nd person masculine plural בּוֹשׁוּ 2nd person feminine plural בּוֹשֶׁנָה   Usage in Scripture Psalm 25:3 – גַּם כָּל־קוֶיךָ לֹא יֵבוֹשׁוּ “Indeed, none who wait for You shall be ashamed.”… Learn Hebrew

The Hebrew verb בּוֹא (root: ב-ו-א) is a high-frequency irregular verb that means “to come,” “to go in,” “to enter,” or “to arrive.” It occurs in narrative, legal, and poetic contexts and is essential for expressing movement toward a place or event. It frequently appears with prepositions like אֶל (“to”) or בְּ (“in”). Because it is a hollow verb (middle root is ו), its forms are highly irregular in some tenses and must be memorized. It appears most frequently in the Qal binyan, with some occurrences in Hiphil (causative: “to bring in”).… Learn Hebrew

The Hebrew verb בָּהַל (root: ב-ה-ל) means “to terrify,” “to alarm,” “to hasten in fear,” or “to panic.” It typically describes sudden emotional or mental disturbance—such as fear, confusion, or urgency—often in response to shocking or overwhelming circumstances. This verb is used in poetic, prophetic, and narrative contexts in the Hebrew Bible. It is most commonly found in the Qal binyan and sometimes in the Niphal (passive or reflexive, “to be terrified”) or Piel (intensive causative, “to cause terror”).   Qal Binyan Conjugation of בָּהַל Past (Perfect) Tense Person Form 1st person singular בָּהַלְתִּי 2nd person masculine singular בָּהַלְתָּ 2nd person feminine singular בָּהַלְתְּ 3rd person masculine singular בָּהַל 3rd person feminine singular בָּהֲלָה 1st person plural בָּהַלְנוּ 2nd person masculine plural בְּהַלְתֶּם 2nd person feminine plural בְּהַלְתֶּן 3rd person plural בָּהֲלוּ Present (Participle) Tense Gender/Number Form Masculine singular בֹּהֵל Feminine singular בֹּהֶלֶת Masculine plural בֹּהֲלִים Feminine plural בֹּהֲלוֹת Future (Imperfect) Tense Person Form 1st person singular אֶבְהַל 2nd person masculine singular תִּבְהַל 2nd person feminine singular תִּבְהֲלִי 3rd person masculine singular יִבְהַל 3rd person feminine singular תִּבְהַל 1st person plural נִבְהַל 2nd person masculine plural תִּבְהֲלוּ 2nd person feminine plural תִּבְהַלְנָה 3rd person plural יִבְהֲלוּ Imperative Mood Person Form 2nd person masculine singular בְּהַל 2nd person feminine singular בַּהֲלִי 2nd person masculine plural בַּהֲלוּ 2nd person feminine plural בְּהַלְנָה   Usage in Scripture Daniel 5:6 – וְהִתְבַּהֲלוּ מְתַנֵּה “His limbs were terrified…” — describing the sudden fear of King Belshazzar when he saw the handwriting on the wall.… Learn Hebrew