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Recent Articles
- The Hebrew Verb בָּקַר: To Seek, Inquire, or Inspect
- 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
- Teaching the Law: Syntax of Instruction and Inheritance in Deuteronomy 4:14
- The Hebrew Verb בָּנָה: To Build, Construct, or Establish
- Dream Syntax and Divine Communication: Structural Layers in Job 4:13
- The Hebrew Verb בָּלַע: To Swallow, Devour, or Destroy
- Concealing the Sacred: Sequential Syntax and Ritual Handling in Numbers 4:12
- The Hebrew Verb בָּלַט: To Slip Away, Be Secret, or Move Stealthily
- Appositional Syntax and Dynastic Integration in 1 Kings 4:11
- Conditional Syntax and Communal Anthropology in Ecclesiastes 4:11
- The Hebrew Verb בָּכָה: To Weep or Cry
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Author Archives: Biblical Hebrew
The Hebrew Verb בּוֹא: To Come, Enter, or Arrive
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 … Continue reading
The Syntax of Legal Hypotheticals and Priestly Responsibility in Leviticus 4:3
Introduction: Legal Instruction and Theological Stakes in Leviticus 4:3 Leviticus 4:3 introduces the procedures for sin offerings (חַטָּאת) in the case of unintentional sin by the anointed priest. This passage inaugurates one of the most structurally detailed sacrificial regulations in … Continue reading
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The Semantics and Theology of the Nifʿal Imperfect in Isaiah 4:3
Introduction: Contextual and Theological Framing of Isaiah 4:3 Isaiah 4:3 appears at a pivotal juncture in the prophetic literature of Isaiah, marking a thematic shift from divine judgment to purification and restoration. The verse reads: וְהָיָ֣ה הַנִּשְׁאָ֣ר בְּצִיֹּ֗ון וְהַנֹּותָר֙ בִּיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם … Continue reading
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The Hebrew Verb בָּהַל: To Terrify or Alarm
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 … Continue reading
Comparative Particles and Temporal Subordination in Qohelet’s Reasoning
Introduction to Ecclesiastes 4:2 Ecclesiastes 4:2 presents a comparison between the dead and the living, asserting that the dead are better off. The verse is marked by layered comparative and temporal clauses, joined by particles such as מִן (“than”) and … Continue reading
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Exodus 4:2 – Interrogative Pronoun and Demonstrative Use of מַה־זֶּה
וַיֹּ֧אמֶר אֵלָ֛יו יְהוָ֖ה מַה־זֶּה בְיָדֶ֑ךָ וַיֹּ֖אמֶר מַטֶּֽה׃ And YHWH said to him, “What is that in your hand?” And he said, “A staff.” Explanation of Feature This verse from Exodus 4:2 presents a clear example of a Hebrew interrogative clause … Continue reading
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Deuteronomy 4:1 – Imperative, Infinitive Purpose, and Participial Construction
וְעַתָּ֣ה יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל שְׁמַ֤ע אֶל־הַֽחֻקִּים֙ וְאֶל־הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֧ר אָֽנֹכִ֛י מְלַמֵּ֥ד אֶתְכֶ֖ם לַעֲשֹׂ֑ות לְמַ֣עַן תִּֽחְי֗וּ וּבָאתֶם֙ וִֽירִשְׁתֶּ֣ם אֶת־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֧ר יְהוָ֛ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י אֲבֹתֵיכֶ֖ם נֹתֵ֥ן לָכֶֽם׃ And now, Yisra’el, listen to the statutes and to the judgments that Read more […]
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Double Wayyiqtol Narrative Framing in Dialogic Introductions
Introduction to Job 4:1 Job 4:1 marks the beginning of the first response to Job’s lament. The verse introduces the speech of Elifaz the Temani using a formula common in biblical narrative and dialogue: two sequential wayyiqtol verbs, וַיַּעַן (“and … Continue reading
The Conjunction וְהֵן: Conditional Clauses with Assertive Function in Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Exodus 4:1 This verse presents Moshe’s objection to his divine mission, expressing doubt that the people of Yisra’el will believe his message. The key grammatical feature is the use of the construction וְהֵן, a conditional clause that introduces … Continue reading
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Dislocation and Apposition: Royal Titling in Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to 1 Kings 4:1 This verse formally introduces the reign of King Shelomoh (Solomon) with a syntactically simple but rhetorically rich construction. The structure features a dislocated subject and appositional noun phrases, which combine to create a solemn and … Continue reading
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