Author Archives: Biblical Hebrew

About Biblical Hebrew

Learn Biblical Hebrew Online

The Semantics and Metaphorical Meaning of שַׁלַּ֥ח in Ecclesiastes 11:1

Introduction to Ecclesiastes 11:1 Ecclesiastes 11:1 presents a metaphorical proverb that has been widely debated in biblical interpretation. The phrase שַׁלַּ֥ח לַחְמְךָ֖ עַל־פְּנֵ֣י הַמָּ֑יִם (“Send forth your bread upon the surface of the waters”) suggests an act of generosity, faith, … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar, Theology | Comments Off on The Semantics and Metaphorical Meaning of שַׁלַּ֥ח in Ecclesiastes 11:1

The Function and Semantics of the Hitpa‘el Stem in Ezra 10:1

Introduction to Ezra 10:1 Ezra 10:1 describes Ezra’s public prayer and confession, which deeply moves the people of Israel, leading them to a communal act of repentance. This verse contains multiple hitpa‘el (התפעל) verbs, a Hebrew verb stem that typically … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar, Theology | Comments Off on The Function and Semantics of the Hitpa‘el Stem in Ezra 10:1

The Custom of Removing the Sandal in Ancient Israelite Legal Transactions

Introduction to Ruth 4:7 Ruth 4:7 describes an ancient legal custom in Israel, specifically regarding the act of transferring property or legal rights through the symbolic gesture of removing one’s sandal. This verse occurs in the context of Boaz negotiating … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar, History | Comments Off on The Custom of Removing the Sandal in Ancient Israelite Legal Transactions

The Syntactic and Rhetorical Structure of Geographic Listings in Joshua 9:1

Introduction to Joshua 9:1 Joshua 9:1 introduces a significant narrative development, where multiple kings from different regions react to Israel’s conquests. This verse employs a structured geographic listing, a common rhetorical and syntactic device in Biblical Hebrew used to emphasize … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar, Theology | Comments Off on The Syntactic and Rhetorical Structure of Geographic Listings in Joshua 9:1

The Semantics and Theological Implications of Divine Remembrance in Genesis 8:1

Introduction to Genesis 8:1 Genesis 8:1 marks a turning point in the Flood narrative, emphasizing that God “remembered” Noah and the animals in the ark, leading to the recession of the waters. The phrase “And God remembered” (וַיִּזְכֹּ֤ר אֱלֹהִים֙) is … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar, Theology | Comments Off on The Semantics and Theological Implications of Divine Remembrance in Genesis 8:1

Double Usage of הוּא: Emphatic Subject Repetition in Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to Ezra 7:6 The verse in Ezra 7:6 presents a notable grammatical feature that warrants close attention: the repeated use of the independent pronoun הוּא (“he”) at the beginning of two clauses. This repetition is not mere redundancy; rather, … Continue reading

Posted in Theology | Tagged | Comments Off on Double Usage of הוּא: Emphatic Subject Repetition in Biblical Hebrew

The Morphology and Semantics of Divine Imperatives in Genesis 7:1

Introduction to Genesis 7:1 Genesis 7:1 records a direct divine command to Noah, instructing him to enter the ark with his household before the impending flood. This verse contains imperative and perfect verb forms, structured in a way that highlights … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar, Theology | Tagged | Comments Off on The Morphology and Semantics of Divine Imperatives in Genesis 7:1

Grammatical-Theological Analysis of Deuteronomy 16:6

כִּ֠י אִֽם־אֶל־הַמָּקֹ֞ום אֲשֶׁר־יִבְחַ֨ר יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ לְשַׁכֵּ֣ן שְׁמֹ֔ו שָׁ֛ם תִּזְבַּ֥ח אֶת־הַפֶּ֖סַח בָּעָ֑רֶב כְּבֹ֣וא הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ מֹועֵ֖ד צֵֽאתְךָ֥ מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃ 1. Exclusive Worship and Divine Selection: כִּ֠י אִם־אֶל־הַמָּקֹ֞ום אֲשֶׁר־יִבְחַ֨ר The verse begins with the conditional-adversative Read more […]

Posted in Grammar, Theology | Tagged | Comments Off on Grammatical-Theological Analysis of Deuteronomy 16:6

The Formulaic Structure of Divine Speech Introductions in Numbers 6:1

Introduction to Numbers 6:1 Numbers 6:1 introduces a new section of divine instruction, following the common Torah formula used to introduce commands, laws, and covenantal obligations. This formula, often structured as “And YHWH spoke to Moses, saying”, appears frequently in … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar, Theology | Comments Off on The Formulaic Structure of Divine Speech Introductions in Numbers 6:1

The Morphology and Semantics of Imperative and Cohortative Verbs in Deuteronomy 5:1

Introduction to Deuteronomy 5:1 Deuteronomy 5:1 introduces Moses’ second speech to the Israelites, preparing them to receive the repetition of the Ten Commandments. This verse contains a series of imperative and cohortative verbs, forming a didactic structure typical of covenantal … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar, Theology | Tagged | Comments Off on The Morphology and Semantics of Imperative and Cohortative Verbs in Deuteronomy 5:1