Author Archives: Biblical Hebrew

About Biblical Hebrew

Learn Biblical Hebrew Online. Studying Biblical Hebrew online opens a direct window into the sacred texts of the Hebrew Bible, allowing readers to engage with Scripture in its original linguistic and cultural context. By learning the language in which much of the Tanakh was written, students can move beyond translations and discover the nuanced meanings, poetic structures, and theological depth embedded in the Hebrew text. Online learning provides flexible and accessible avenues to build these skills, whether through self-paced modules, guided instruction, or interactive resources. As one grows in proficiency, the richness of biblical narratives, laws, prayers, and prophetic visions comes to life with renewed clarity, making the study of Biblical Hebrew not only an intellectual pursuit but a deeply rewarding spiritual and cultural journey.

From Afar to Forever: Verb Forms and Covenant Love in Jeremiah 31:3

Posted on March 31, 2023 by Biblical Hebrew

מֵרָחֹ֕וק יְהוָ֖ה נִרְאָ֣ה לִ֑י וְאַהֲבַ֤ת עֹולָם֙ אֲהַבְתִּ֔יךְ עַל־כֵּ֖ן מְשַׁכְתִּ֥יךְ חָֽסֶד׃ Contextual Introduction Jeremiah 31:3 is a centerpiece of hope within the so-called “Book of Consolation” (Jeremiah 30–33), where the prophet records YHWH’s promises of restoration after judgment. In stark contrast to earlier messages of doom, this verse expresses eternal love and covenantal faithfulness. It contains some of the most theologically charged Hebrew poetry in prophetic literature and demonstrates how verb forms and syntax can intensify emotional and spiritual meaning. Grammatical Focus: Verb Tenses, Covenant Constructs, and Poetic Syntax 1.… Learn Hebrew

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Grammatical-Theological Analysis of Ruth 3:18

Posted on March 18, 2023 by Biblical Hebrew

וַתֹּ֨אמֶר֙ שְׁבִ֣י בִתִּ֔י עַ֚ד אֲשֶׁ֣ר תֵּֽדְעִ֔ין אֵ֖יךְ יִפֹּ֣ל דָּבָ֑ר כִּ֣י לֹ֤א יִשְׁקֹט֙ הָאִ֔ישׁ כִּֽי־אִם־כִּלָּ֥ה הַדָּבָ֖ר הַיֹּֽום׃ 1. Narrative Verb and Direct Speech: וַתֹּ֨אמֶר The verse opens with וַתֹּאמֶר (“and she said”), a standard narrative wayyiqtol form from the root אָמַר (“to say”), 3rd person feminine singular. The subject is Naʿomi, continuing her direct speech to Ruth. This verb marks a transition back into spoken dialogue, characteristic of biblical narrative style. 2. Imperative and Familial Address: שְׁבִי בִתִּי שְׁבִי is a Qal imperative feminine singular of יָשַׁב (“to sit, dwell”), meaning “Sit” or “Remain.”… Learn Hebrew

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The Edict of Cyrus: Royal Proclamation and Volitional Syntax in 2 Chronicles 36:23

Posted on March 6, 2023 by Biblical Hebrew

2 Chronicles 36:23 כֹּה־אָמַ֞ר כֹּ֣ורֶשׁ מֶ֣לֶךְ פָּרַ֗ס כָּל־מַמְלְכֹ֤ות הָאָ֨רֶץ֙ נָ֣תַן לִ֗י יְהוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וְהֽוּא־פָקַ֤ד עָלַי֙ לִבְנֹֽות־לֹ֣ו בַ֔יִת בִּירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר בִּֽיהוּדָ֑ה מִֽי־בָכֶ֣ם מִכָּל־עַמֹּ֗ו יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהָ֛יו עִמֹּ֖ו וְיָֽעַל׃ Royal Formula: כֹּה־אָמַר כֹּרֶשׁ מֶלֶךְ פָּרַס The phrase כֹּה־אָמַר (“Thus says”) is a formal prophetic or royal announcement formula. אָמַר is a Qal perfect 3ms from א־מ־ר (“to say”), presenting a completed declaration. כֹּרֶשׁ מֶלֶךְ פָּרַס (“Cyrus king of Persia”) identifies the speaker, emphasizing imperial authority and setting the tone of an official decree.… Learn Hebrew

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The Use of שֹׁולֵ֨חַ in Prophetic Commission Formulas

Posted on March 2, 2023 by Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to Ezekiel 2:3 Ezekiel 2:3 is part of the divine commission of Ezekiel as a prophet to Israel. This verse marks the beginning of God’s charge to Ezekiel, in which He commands him to deliver a message to the rebellious Israelites. The verb שֹׁולֵ֨חַ (“I am sending”) plays a crucial role in the prophetic call, indicating a continuous, present, and authoritative action. Unlike past-tense commissioning statements that describe an event that has already taken place, the participial form of this verb suggests an ongoing divine mission.… Learn Hebrew

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“Is It Not for You to Know Justice?”: Infinitive Obligation and Rhetorical Syntax in Micah 3:1

Posted on March 1, 2023 by Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to Micah 3:1: Addressing the Leaders of Yisra’el Micah 3:1 opens a sharp rebuke directed at the leaders of Yisra’el. The prophet confronts the רָאשֵׁי יַעֲקֹב (“chiefs of Yaʿaqov”) and קְצִינֵי בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל (“rulers of the house of Yisra’el”), not with mere accusation, but with a biting rhetorical question: הֲלֹ֣וא לָכֶ֔ם לָדַ֖עַת אֶת־הַמִּשְׁפָּט. This question—structured around the infinitive construct with the lamed preposition—expresses moral obligation and assumed responsibility. In this article, we examine how Hebrew constructs moral expectations through syntax and how this impacts prophetic rhetoric.… Learn Hebrew

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Strike, Save, and Seek: How the Binyanim Build the Battle

Posted on February 23, 2023 by Biblical Hebrew

וַיִּשְׁאַ֨ל דָּוִ֤ד בַּֽיהוָה֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר הַאֵלֵ֣ךְ וְהִכֵּ֔יתִי בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה ס וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֜ה אֶל־דָּוִ֗ד לֵ֚ךְ וְהִכִּ֣יתָ בַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים וְהֹושַׁעְתָּ֖ אֶת־קְעִילָֽה׃ (1 Samuel 23:2) And Dawid inquired of YHWH saying shall I go and strike down these Pelishtim and YHWH said to Dawid go and you shall strike the Pelishtim and you shall save Qeʿilah A Tactical Prayer in Verbal Stems In 1 Samuel 23:2, Dawid pauses before battle. His inquiry and God’s response are framed by verbs of decision, warfare, and rescue. The binyanim in this verse give these verbs emotional tone and theological depth: from humble inquiry to aggressive assault, from obedience to salvation.… Learn Hebrew

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Volition and Cohortatives in Prophetic Vision: Isaiah 2:3

Posted on February 3, 2023 by Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to Isaiah 2:3: An Invitation to Ascend This verse from Isaiah envisions a universal pilgrimage to Zion where many peoples seek divine instruction. It is one of the most famous passages describing a future when nations voluntarily turn to YHWH. What makes this verse particularly rich grammatically is the frequent use of cohortative and volitional forms, such as נַעֲלֶ֣ה (“let us go up”) and נֵלְכָ֖ה (“let us walk”), which express desire, resolve, and invitation. In this lesson, we explore how these forms function in Hebrew syntax and theology, showing how verbs can encode collective will and eschatological hope.… Learn Hebrew

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The Construct Phrase “The Devotion of Your Youth” and Its Covenantal Significance in Jeremiah 2:2

Posted on February 2, 2023 by Biblical Hebrew

הָלֹ֡ךְ וְקָֽרָאתָ֩ בְאָזְנֵ֨י יְרוּשָׁלִַ֜ם לֵאמֹ֗ר כֹּ֚ה אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה זָכַ֤רְתִּי לָךְ֙ חֶ֣סֶד נְעוּרַ֔יִךְ אַהֲבַ֖ת כְּלוּלֹתָ֑יִךְ לֶכְתֵּ֤ךְ אַחֲרַי֙ בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר בְּאֶ֖רֶץ לֹ֥א זְרוּעָֽה׃ (Jeremiah 2:2) “Go and proclaim in the ears of Yerushalayim, saying, ‘Thus says YHWH: “I remember for you the kindness of your youth, the love of your betrothal, your going after Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown. Introduction to Jeremiah 2:2 Jeremiah 2:2 opens a prophetic lament recalling Israel’s early faithfulness to YHWH. The verse presents a divine remembrance of Israel’s loyalty during the Exodus, using the construct phrase חֶ֣סֶד נְעוּרַ֔יִךְ (“the devotion of your youth”).… Learn Hebrew

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“He Stirred Up His Spirit”: Divine Motivation and the Idiom הֵעִיר אֶת־רוּחֹו in Ezra 1:5

Posted on February 1, 2023 by Biblical Hebrew

וַיָּק֜וּמוּ רָאשֵׁ֣י הָאָבֹ֗ות לִֽיהוּדָה֙ וּבִנְיָמִ֔ן וְהַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים וְהַלְוִיִּ֑ם לְכֹ֨ל הֵעִ֤יר הָאֱלֹהִים֙ אֶת־רוּחֹ֔ו לַעֲלֹ֣ות לִבְנֹ֔ות אֶת־בֵּ֥ית יְהוָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ (Ezra 1:5) Then the heads of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, arose: all those whom God stirred up his spirit to go up to build the house of Yahweh which is in Jerusalem. Awakening the Will to Rebuild Ezra 1:5 narrates a monumental moment in the return from exile: the divine stirring of human hearts to begin rebuilding the Temple.… Learn Hebrew

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Betrayal at the Border: Disintegrating Alliances in the Syntax of Obadiah 1:7

Posted on January 7, 2023 by Biblical Hebrew

עַֽד־הַגְּב֣וּל שִׁלְּח֗וּךָ כֹּ֚ל אַנְשֵׁ֣י בְרִיתֶ֔ךָ הִשִּׁיא֛וּךָ יָכְל֥וּ לְךָ֖ אַנְשֵׁ֣י שְׁלֹמֶ֑ךָ לַחְמְךָ֗ יָשִׂ֤ימוּ מָזֹור֙ תַּחְתֶּ֔יךָ אֵ֥ין תְּבוּנָ֖ה בֹּֽו׃ (Obadiah 1:7) All the men of your covenant sent you to the border; the men of your peace deceived you, prevailed against you; your bread they set as a trap beneath you—there is no understanding in him. Syntax as the Anatomy of Treachery Obadiah 1:7 outlines in poetic and prophetic syntax the downfall of Edom by those it trusted most. This verse builds through parallel clauses, anaphora, and syntactic inversion to portray betrayal from within.… Learn Hebrew

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