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Recent Articles
- The Grammar of Divine Meteorology: Syntax and Pragmatic Force in Jeremiah 10:13
- When the Sun Stood Still: Syntax and Command in Joshua 10:12
- Woven with Wonder: Syntax and Embodied Imagery in Job 10:11
- The Wink and the Wound: Syntax, Parallelism, and Irony in Proverbs 10:10
- The Grammar of Surprise: The Wayyiqtol Chain and Temporal Progression in Joshua 10:9
- The Birth of Power: The Grammar of Beginning and Becoming in Genesis 10:8
- Genealogical Syntax and the Grammar of Nations in Genesis 10:7
- Do Not Mourn as Others Do: Restraint and Reverence in the Aftermath of Fire
- The Blast and the Camp: Exploring Hebrew Commands and Movement in Numbers 10:5
- If You Refuse: The Threat of the Locusts in Translation
- Trumpet Blasts and Assembly Syntax in Numbers 10:3
- Right and Left: A Beginner’s Guide to Hebrew Word Order in Ecclesiastes 10:2
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Author Archives: Biblical Hebrew
The Meaning of הָעֹלִים מִשְּׁבִי הַגֹּולָה in Ezra 2:1
Ezra 2:1 in Hebrew
וְאֵ֣לֶּה בְּנֵ֣י הַמְּדִינָ֗ה הָֽעֹלִים֙ מִשְּׁבִ֣י הַגֹּולָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶגְלָ֛ה נבוכדנצור מֶֽלֶךְ־בָּבֶ֖ל לְבָבֶ֑ל וַיָּשׁ֛וּבוּ לִירוּשָׁלִַ֥ם וִֽיהוּדָ֖ה אִ֥ישׁ לְעִירֹֽו׃
Introduction to the Verse
Ezra 2:1 introduces the list of Israelites returning from exile, emphasizing the fulfillment of divine restoration. The verse states:
וְאֵ֣לֶּה בְּנֵ֣י הַמְּדִינָ֗ה – “And these are the people of the province.”
הָֽעֹלִים֙ מִשְּׁבִ֣י הַגֹּולָ֔ה – “Who came up from the captivity of the exile.”
אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶגְלָ֛ה נבוכדנצור מֶֽלֶךְ־בָּבֶ֖ל – “Whom Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babel, had exiled.”
A key phrase in this verse is הָעֹלִים מִשְּׁבִי הַגֹּולָה (haʿolim mišebi haggōlah), which highlights the significance of returning from Babylonian exile.… Learn Hebrew
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The Meaning of יְהוָ֥ה אֶחָֽד in Deuteronomy 6:4
Deuteronomy 6:4 in Hebrew
שְׁמַ֖ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ יְהוָ֥ה אֶחָֽד׃
Introduction to the Verse
Deuteronomy 6:4 is one of the most foundational verses in the Torah, known as the Shema. It declares the absolute unity and exclusivity of YHWH in Israelite faith. The verse states:
שְׁמַ֖ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל – “Hear, Yisra’el.”
יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ – “YHWH is our God.”
יְהוָ֥ה אֶחָֽד – “YHWH is one.”
A key phrase in this verse is יְהוָ֥ה אֶחָֽד (YHWH eḥad), which is crucial for understanding biblical monotheism.… Learn Hebrew
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Common Endings and Patterns of Gender of Nouns in Biblical Hebrew
In Biblical Hebrew, nouns are generally categorized as either masculine or feminine. Unlike English, where gender is typically limited to pronouns and animate beings, Hebrew assigns gender even to inanimate objects, abstract concepts, and grammatical structures. Understanding the gender of nouns is crucial for proper agreement with verbs, adjectives, and pronouns.
The gender of a Hebrew noun can often be predicted based on its ending and structure, though there are numerous exceptions. This article explores the common endings and patterns that determine a noun’s gender in Biblical Hebrew, as well as some notable irregularities.… Learn Hebrew
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The Meaning of תֵּבַת גֹּ֔מֶא in Exodus 2:3
Exodus 2:3 in Hebrew
וְלֹא־יָכְלָ֣ה עֹוד֮ הַצְּפִינֹו֒ וַתִּֽקַּֽח־לֹו֙ תֵּ֣בַת גֹּ֔מֶא וַתַּחְמְרָ֥ה בַחֵמָ֖ר וּבַזָּ֑פֶת וַתָּ֤שֶׂם בָּהּ֙ אֶת־הַיֶּ֔לֶד וַתָּ֥שֶׂם בַּסּ֖וּף עַל־שְׂפַ֥ת הַיְאֹֽר׃
Introduction to the Verse
Exodus 2:3 describes the moment when Moshe’s mother placed him in a basket to protect him from Pharaoh’s decree. The verse states:
וְלֹא־יָכְלָ֣ה עֹוד֮ הַצְּפִינֹו֒ – “And when she could no longer hide him.”
וַתִּֽקַּֽח־לֹו֙ תֵּ֣בַת גֹּ֔מֶא – “She took for him a basket of papyrus reeds.”
וַתַּחְמְרָ֥ה בַחֵמָ֖ר וּבַזָּ֑פֶת – “And she coated it with clay and pitch.”… Learn Hebrew
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The Meaning of עֲכַרְתֶּ֣ם in Genesis 34:30
Genesis 34:30 in Hebrew
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יַעֲקֹ֜ב אֶל־שִׁמְעֹ֣ון וְאֶל־לֵוִי֮ עֲכַרְתֶּ֣ם אֹתִי֒ לְהַבְאִישֵׁ֨נִי֙ בְּיֹשֵׁ֣ב הָאָ֔רֶץ בַּֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖י וּבַפְּרִזִּ֑י וַאֲנִי֙ מְתֵ֣י מִסְפָּ֔ר וְנֶאֶסְפ֤וּ עָלַי֙ וְהִכּ֔וּנִי וְנִשְׁמַדְתִּ֖י אֲנִ֥י וּבֵיתִֽי׃
Introduction to the Verse
Genesis 34:30 records Yaʿaqov’s rebuke of Shimʿon and Levi after their attack on Shekhem. The verse states:
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יַעֲקֹ֜ב אֶל־שִׁמְעֹ֣ון וְאֶל־לֵוִי֮ – “Then Yaʿaqov said to Shimʿon and Levi.”
עֲכַרְתֶּ֣ם אֹתִי֒ – “You have troubled me.”
לְהַבְאִישֵׁ֨נִי֙ בְּיֹשֵׁ֣ב הָאָ֔רֶץ – “To make me odious among the inhabitants of the land.”
A key word in this verse is עֲכַרְתֶּ֣ם (ʿaḵartem), which helps us understand Yaʿaqov’s fear and distress.… Learn Hebrew
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The Prophetic Vision in Obadiah 1:1
Obadiah 1:1 in Hebrew
חֲזֹ֖ון עֹֽבַדְיָ֑ה כֹּֽה־אָמַר֩ אֲדֹנָ֨י יְהוִ֜ה לֶאֱדֹ֗ום שְׁמוּעָ֨ה שָׁמַ֜עְנוּ מֵאֵ֤ת יְהוָה֙ וְצִיר֙ בַּגֹּויִ֣ם שֻׁלָּ֔ח ק֛וּמוּ וְנָק֥וּמָה עָלֶ֖יהָ לַמִּלְחָמָֽה׃
Introduction to the Verse
Obadiah 1:1 introduces the vision of Obadiah, focusing on a divine message concerning Edom. The verse states:
חֲזֹ֖ון עֹֽבַדְיָ֑ה – “The vision of ʿOvadyah.”
כֹּֽה־אָמַר֩ אֲדֹנָ֨י יְהוִ֜ה לֶאֱדֹ֗ום – “Thus says Adonai YHWH to Edom.”
שְׁמוּעָ֨ה שָׁמַ֜עְנוּ מֵאֵ֤ת יְהוָה֙ – “A report we have heard from YHWH.”
This verse contains prophetic and military imagery, signifying divine judgment upon Edom.… Learn Hebrew
The Tribal Inheritance in Joshua 14:4
Joshua 14:4 in Hebrew
כִּֽי־הָי֧וּ בְנֵֽי־יֹוסֵ֛ף שְׁנֵ֥י מַטֹּ֖ות מְנַשֶּׁ֣ה וְאֶפְרָ֑יִם וְלֹֽא־נָתְנוּ֩ חֵ֨לֶק לַלְוִיִּ֜ם בָּאָ֗רֶץ כִּ֤י אִם־עָרִים֙ לָשֶׁ֔בֶת וּמִ֨גְרְשֵׁיהֶ֔ם לְמִקְנֵיהֶ֖ם וּלְקִנְיָנָֽם׃
Introduction to the Verse
Joshua 14:4 provides a key clarification regarding the division of land among the tribes of Israel. The verse states:
כִּֽי־הָי֧וּ בְנֵֽי־יֹוסֵ֛ף שְׁנֵ֥י מַטֹּ֖ות מְנַשֶּׁ֣ה וְאֶפְרָ֑יִם – “For the sons of Yosef were two tribes, Menasheh and Ephrayim.”
וְלֹֽא־נָתְנוּ֩ חֵ֨לֶק לַלְוִיִּ֜ם בָּאָ֗רֶץ – “And they did not give a portion in the land to the Levites.”
כִּ֤י אִם־עָרִים֙ לָשֶׁ֔בֶת – “Only cities to dwell in.”… Learn Hebrew
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The Meaning of דֹּדֶיךָ in Song of Songs 1:2
Song of Songs 1:2 in Hebrew
יִשָּׁקֵ֨נִי֙ מִנְּשִׁיקֹ֣ות פִּ֔יהוּ כִּֽי־טֹובִ֥ים דֹּדֶ֖יךָ מִיָּֽיִן׃
Introduction to the Verse
Song of Songs 1:2 is a poetic expression of love and longing, beginning the book with an intimate request:
יִשָּׁקֵ֨נִי֙ מִנְּשִׁיקֹ֣ות פִּ֔יהוּ – “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth.”
כִּֽי־טֹובִ֥ים דֹּדֶ֖יךָ מִיָּֽיִן – “For your love is better than wine.”
A key term in this verse is דֹּדֶיךָ (dōḏêḵā), which plays a crucial role in understanding biblical expressions of love and affection.… Learn Hebrew
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The Use of Contrasting Concepts in Ecclesiastes 2:3
תַּ֣רְתִּי בְלִבִּ֔י לִמְשֹׁ֥וךְ בַּיַּ֖יִן אֶת־בְּשָׂרִ֑י וְלִבִּ֞י נֹהֵ֤ג בַּֽחָכְמָה֙ וְלֶאֱחֹ֣ז בְּסִכְל֔וּת עַ֣ד אֲשֶׁר־אֶרְאֶ֗ה אֵי־זֶ֨ה טֹ֜וב לִבְנֵ֤י הָאָדָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֤ר יַעֲשׂוּ֙ תַּ֣חַת הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם מִסְפַּ֖ר יְמֵ֥י חַיֵּיהֶֽם׃
(Ecclesiastes 2:3)
I explored in my heart to draw my flesh with wine, while my heart guided with wisdom, and to grasp folly, until I might see what is good for the children of man to do under the heavens during the number of the days of their lives.
Introduction to the Verse
Ecclesiastes 2:3 presents a philosophical reflection on human existence and the pursuit of meaning.… Learn Hebrew
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The Hebrew Verb אָזַן in the Hebrew Bible
Understanding the Verb אָזַן
The Hebrew verb אָזַן (ʾāzan) is a significant term in the Hebrew Bible, meaning “to listen attentively” or “to give ear.” It differs from the common verb for hearing, שָׁמַע (shāmaʿ), in that אָזַן conveys the sense of careful and deliberate listening. This verb is most frequently used in its Hifil stem (הִאזִין, hē’ĕzīn), which means “to cause to listen” or “to give heed.”
The root א-ז-ן is also associated with the noun אֹזֶן (ʾōzen), meaning “ear,” and the plural form מאֹזְנַיִם (moʾznayim), meaning “balances” or “scales,” suggesting an ancient conceptual link between listening and weighing or measuring.… Learn Hebrew
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