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 Breeze to Bondage: Dissecting the Participial Construction and Nominal Syntax

Posted on November 29, 2020 by Biblical Hebrew

עֹוכֵ֣ר בֵּ֭יתֹו יִנְחַל־ר֑וּחַ וְעֶ֥בֶד אֱ֝וִ֗יל לַחֲכַם־לֵֽב׃ (Proverbs 11:29) The one who troubles his household will inherit wind, and a foolish servant will be servant to the wise of heart. Trouble at Home, Wisdom in Chains This proverb presents two striking images: a man whose turmoil brings only the intangible wind as an inheritance, and a foolish servant who ends up serving someone wiser. Behind the poetry lies a compelling case of participial structure and verbless nominal syntax that sheds light on Hebrew’s subtle and powerful grammatical features.… Learn Hebrew

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The Grammar of Diplomacy: Indirect Speech and Deferential Syntax in Genesis 50:4 (Onkelos)

Posted on November 11, 2020 by Biblical Hebrew

וַעֲבָרוּ יוֹמֵי בְכִיתֵיהּ וּמַלֵּיל יוֹסֵף עִם בֵּית פַּרְעֹה לְמֵימָר אִם כְּעַן אַשְׁכָּחִית רַחֲמִין בְּעֵינֵיכוֹן מַלִּילוּ כְעַן קֳדָם פַּרְעֹה לְמֵימָר: And the days of his weeping passed, and Yosef spoke with the house of Parʿo to say, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, speak now before Parʿo to say…” Syntax Walk-through: From Grief to Petition In this transitional moment, the Targum captures a shift from mourning to political negotiation. Yosef does not go directly to Parʿo but instead uses layered indirect speech and deferential formulas, reflecting both etiquette and hierarchy.… Learn Hebrew

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Divine Hiddenness and Reflexive Syntax in Isaiah 64:6: Grammar of Abandonment

Posted on November 6, 2020 by Biblical Hebrew

Introduction: Lament, Agency, and Theological Crisis in Exilic Prayer Isaiah 64 is a communal lament expressing deep anguish over Israel’s estrangement from YHWH. Verse 6 (English: v.7) articulates both divine silence and human inability. The verse reads: וְאֵין־קֹורֵ֣א בְשִׁמְךָ֔ מִתְעֹורֵ֖ר לְהַחֲזִ֣יק בָּ֑ךְ כִּֽי־הִסְתַּ֤רְתָּ פָנֶ֨יךָ֙ מִמֶּ֔נּוּ וַתְּמוּגֵ֖נוּ בְּיַד־עֲוֹנֵֽנוּ׃ And there is no one who calls on Your name, who rouses himself to take hold of You; for You have hidden Your face from us and have melted us away in the hand of our iniquities.… Learn Hebrew

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“And You Shall Love”: Analyzing וְאָהַבְתָּ in Deuteronomy 11:1

Posted on November 1, 2020 by Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to Deuteronomy 11:1: Love as Covenant Loyalty Deuteronomy 11:1 opens with a profound imperative: וְאָהַבְתָּ אֵת יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ – “And you shall love the LORD your God.” This verse sets the tone for the entire chapter by linking covenant obedience with affectionate devotion. The verb אָהַב in this context carries deep theological and relational significance—it is not merely emotional love, but a commitment of loyalty, fidelity, and action. This article explores the grammar, syntax, and covenant theology of וְאָהַבְתָּ as used in Deuteronomy 11:1.… Learn Hebrew

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“Call Now—Will Anyone Answer You?”: Imperatives and Irony in Job 5:1

Posted on October 5, 2020 by Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to Job 5:1: The Irony of Prayer in a Rhetorical Rebuke Job 5:1 comes from Eliphaz’s ongoing monologue where he chides Job with what sounds like spiritual advice but functions as subtle mockery. He challenges Job to “call out” and ask for help, knowing that Job will receive no answer. This verse is a model of sarcastic imperative, in which an action is commanded (imperative form), but with no expectation of a successful result. We will explore how Hebrew uses the imperative mood, the particle הֲ for rhetorical questions, and the ironic structure to communicate accusation without outright condemnation.… Learn Hebrew

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“Carve for Yourself”: Analyzing פְסָל in Deuteronomy 10:1

Posted on October 1, 2020 by Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to Deuteronomy 10:1: Covenant Renewal and Divine Instruction Deuteronomy 10:1 opens a pivotal moment in Israel’s story—after the breaking of the first tablets, YHWH commands Mosheh to ascend the mountain again and receive a renewed copy of the covenant law. The verb פְסָל (“carve”) is the first directive given. This command encapsulates the urgency of restoration, the tangible embodiment of revelation, and the human participation in the divine process of covenant renewal. In this article, we will explore the grammar, syntax, and theological depth of פְסָל as the opening imperative of divine instruction.… Learn Hebrew

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Between Joy and Judgment: The Binyanim That Pull the Soul

Posted on September 11, 2020 by Biblical Hebrew

שְׂמַ֧ח בָּח֣וּר בְּיַלְדוּתֶ֗יךָ וִֽיטִֽיבְךָ֤ לִבְּךָ֙ בִּימֵ֣י בְחוּרֹותֶ֔ךָ וְהַלֵּךְ֙ בְּדַרְכֵ֣י לִבְּךָ֔ וּבְמַרְאֵ֖י עֵינֶ֑יךָ וְדָ֕ע כִּ֧י עַל־כָּל־אֵ֛לֶּה יְבִֽיאֲךָ֥ הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים בַּמִּשְׁפָּֽט׃ (Ecclesiastes 11:9) Rejoice young man in your youth and let your heart make you good in the days of your young manhood and walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes but know that for all these the God will bring you to judgment. Introduction: Tension in the Verbal Tapestry Ecclesiastes 11:9 calls to the young with a paradox: embrace joy, yet remain sober.… Learn Hebrew

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“You Are Crossing Today”: Analyzing עֹבֵר in Deuteronomy 9:1

Posted on September 1, 2020 by Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to Deuteronomy 9:1: Threshold of Conquest Deuteronomy 9:1 opens with a solemn charge to Israel as they stand poised to cross the Jordan and enter the promised land. The participle עֹבֵר (“you are crossing”) appears in the expression אַתָּ֨ה עֹבֵ֤ר הַיֹּום—“You are crossing today”—conveying not just an action but a moment of theological and national significance. This article explores the grammatical form, verbal aspect, and rhetorical weight of the participle עֹבֵר in this pivotal declaration. שְׁמַ֣ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אַתָּ֨ה עֹבֵ֤ר הַיֹּום֙ אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן לָבֹא֙ לָרֶ֣שֶׁת גֹּויִ֔ם גְּדֹלִ֥ים וַעֲצֻמִ֖ים מִמֶּ֑ךָּ עָרִ֛ים גְּדֹלֹ֥ת וּבְצֻרֹ֖ת בַּשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ Grammatical Analysis of עֹבֵר The verb עֹבֵר is a Qal active participle of the root עָבַר (ʿ-ḇ-r), meaning “to pass over,” “to cross.”… Learn Hebrew

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Harvesting the Mouth: Parallelism and Metaphor in Proverbs 18:20

Posted on August 18, 2020 by Biblical Hebrew

Proverbs 18:20 מִפְּרִ֣י פִי־֭אִישׁ תִּשְׂבַּ֣ע בִּטְנֹ֑ו תְּבוּאַ֖ת שְׂפָתָ֣יו יִשְׂבָּֽע׃ Metaphor in Motion: פִּי־אִישׁ and תְּבוּאַת שְׂפָתָיו This proverb is built on a beautifully balanced metaphor: a man’s words are compared to fruit (פְּרִי) and harvest (תְּבוּאָה). The noun פִּי־אִישׁ (“the mouth of a man”) is in construct form with פִּי (“mouth”) linking directly to אִישׁ (“man”) — meaning “the fruit of a man’s mouth.” Likewise, שְׂפָתָיו (“his lips”) is linked to תְּבוּאָה (“produce” or “yield”), extending the agricultural imagery into the realm of speech.… Learn Hebrew

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Nominal Clauses with Temporal Markers and Sacred Attribution

Posted on August 14, 2020 by Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to Zechariah 14:20 This prophetic verse describes a future day when even the most ordinary objects—like horse bells and temple bowls—will be consecrated to YHWH. The structure features nominal clauses framed with temporal expressions and sacred attributions. The phrase קֹדֶשׁ לַיהוָה (“Holy to YHWH”) is key to understanding how Biblical Hebrew marks objects with cultic holiness. This lesson explores the grammatical structure of nominal clauses introduced by time expressions and the use of attributive holiness phrases. בַּיֹּ֣ום הַה֗וּא יִֽהְיֶה֙ עַל־מְצִלֹּ֣ות הַסּ֔וּס קֹ֖דֶשׁ לַֽיהוָ֑ה וְהָיָ֤ה הַסִּירֹות֙ בְּבֵ֣ית יְהוָ֔ה כַּמִּזְרָקִ֖ים לִפְנֵ֥י הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃ Analysis of Key Words and Structures בַּיֹּ֣ום הַה֗וּא (bayyom hahu) – “On that day.”… Learn Hebrew

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