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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.

Like One of Them: Temporal Syntax and Moral Complicity in Obadiah 1:11

Posted on January 11, 2020 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction: Edom’s Guilt Through Grammatical Silence Obadiah 1:11 is part of the prophetic indictment against Edom, condemning their failure to aid Yisraʾel—specifically, their passive complicity during Jerusalem’s fall. This verse employs a series of temporal and participial clauses to build a crescendo of accusation, culminating in a devastating comparison: בְּיֹום֙ עֲמָֽדְךָ֣ מִנֶּ֔גֶד בְּיֹ֛ום שְׁבֹ֥ות זָרִ֖ים חֵילֹ֑ו וְנָכְרִ֞ים בָּ֣אוּ שֶׁעֲרוֹ וְעַל־יְרוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙ יַדּ֣וּ גֹורָ֔ל גַּם־אַתָּ֖ה כְּאַחַ֥ד מֵהֶֽם׃ On the day you stood aloof, on the day strangers carried off his wealth, and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Yerushalayim—you, too, were like one of them.… Learn Hebrew
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The Answering Voice: Analyzing וַיַּעַן in Job 20:1

Posted on January 1, 2020 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Job 20:1: The Structure of Dialogue Job 20:1 introduces the second speech of Ṣofar the Naʿamatite, one of Job’s three interlocutors. The verb וַיַּעַן (vayyaʿan), meaning “and he answered“, is a standard formula in biblical dialogue, particularly in narrative and poetic discourse. However, its function in the Book of Job carries literary, rhetorical, and theological weight. This article examines the morphology, syntax, and stylistic implications of וַיַּעַן as it initiates Ṣofar’s response within the dramatic framework of the dialogue.… Learn Hebrew
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To Love Discipline is to Love Knowledge: Analyzing אֹהֵב in Proverbs 12:1

Posted on December 1, 2019 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Proverbs 12:1: The Affection for Wisdom Proverbs 12:1 presents a sharp contrast between those who love wisdom and those who despise correction. The verb אֹהֵב (ʾōhēv, “loves”) is central to this verse, establishing love as the defining characteristic of the wise. By analyzing this verb, we uncover the profound relationship between discipline (מוּסָר, musar), knowledge (דָּעַת, daʿat), and human character. אֹהֵ֣ב מ֭וּסָר אֹ֣הֵֽב דָּ֑עַת וְשֹׂנֵ֖א תֹוכַ֣חַת בָּֽעַר׃ The Structure of Proverbs 12:1: A Contrast Between Wisdom and Folly This verse consists of two contrasting clauses, forming a classic antithetical parallelism: אֹהֵ֣ב מ֭וּסָר אֹ֣הֵֽב דָּ֑עַת אֹהֵב (ʾōhēv) – “Loves” (Qal participle, active state of affection).… Learn Hebrew
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The Syntax of Anticipation: Grammatical Readiness in Exodus 19:11

Posted on November 19, 2019 by Biblical Hebrew
וְהָי֥וּ נְכֹנִ֖ים לַיֹּ֣ום הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֑י כִּ֣י בַּיֹּ֣ום הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֗י יֵרֵ֧ד יְהוָ֛ה לְעֵינֵ֥י כָל־הָעָ֖ם עַל־הַ֥ר סִינָֽי׃ (Exodus 19:11) Overview: Grammar as Sacred Preparation Exodus 19:11 prepares Israel for the most pivotal moment in the Torah—YHWH’s descent upon Mount Sinai. The verse’s syntax conveys both temporal tension and communal gravity. Through coordinated clauses, perfective and imperfective verb forms, and fronted time markers, this sentence stages the future with grammatical precision, evoking both urgency and sacred order. Clause Structure: Coordination and Causation The verse consists of two main clauses connected by the causal conjunction כִּי: 1.… Learn Hebrew
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The Rhetorical Question and Parallelism in Job 11:2

Posted on November 2, 2019 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Job 11:2 Job 11:2 is part of Zophar’s first speech, in which he rebukes Job for his words and insists that Job’s suffering is the result of his sin. The verse employs a rhetorical question and parallel structure, both of which are common features in Hebrew poetry. The interrogative particle הֲ introduces a rhetorical question, while the parallelism between the two clauses reinforces Zophar’s argument that excessive speech does not justify innocence. This study will analyze the syntax, grammatical features, and literary function of Job 11:2.… Learn Hebrew
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Deceptive Weights and Divine Justice: Analyzing מֹאזְנֵי מִרְמָה in Proverbs 11:1

Posted on November 1, 2019 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Proverbs 11:1: The Scales of Righteousness Proverbs 11:1 presents a powerful moral and theological declaration about honesty in commerce and divine justice. The phrase מֹאזְנֵי מִרְמָה (moznê mirmāh, “deceitful scales”) serves as a metaphor for fraudulent business practices, which are described as an abomination to YHWH. This verse contrasts dishonest dealings with righteous weights, demonstrating that economic ethics are fundamentally linked to divine favor or disapproval. מֹאזְנֵ֣י מִ֭רְמָה תֹּועֲבַ֣ת יְהוָ֑ה וְאֶ֖בֶן שְׁלֵמָ֣ה רְצֹונֹֽו׃ The Weight of Words: Understanding מֹאזְנֵי מִרְמָה מֹאזְנֵי מִרְמָה תֹּועֲבַ֣ת יְהוָ֑ה מֹאזְנֵי (moznê) – “Scales” (plural construct form of מֹאזְנַיִם, moznayim, “balances, scales”).… Learn Hebrew
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Infinitives, Verbal Parallelism, and Philosophical Irony in Ecclesiastes 10:19

Posted on October 19, 2019 by Biblical Hebrew
לִשְׂחֹוק֙ עֹשִׂ֣ים לֶ֔חֶם וְיַ֖יִן יְשַׂמַּ֣ח חַיִּ֑ים וְהַכֶּ֖סֶף יַעֲנֶ֥ה אֶת־הַכֹּֽל׃ Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything. Wisdom Discourse and Literary Ambiguity in Qohelet Ecclesiastes 10:19 is a compact yet theologically and grammatically dense aphorism. As with much of Qohelet, its ambiguity is deliberate, and its grammar is tightly structured to allow multiple interpretive layers. The verse reads: This verse concludes a section reflecting on folly and wisdom in political and social life. It is syntactically structured in a triadic form: each clause presents a subject, a verb, and an object or complement.… Learn Hebrew
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Iron, Effort, and Wisdom: Poetic Economy and Syntax in Ecclesiastes 10:10

Posted on October 10, 2019 by Biblical Hebrew
אִם־קֵהָ֣ה הַבַּרְזֶ֗ל וְהוּא֙ לֹא־פָנִ֣ים קִלְקַ֔ל וַחֲיָלִ֖ים יְגַבֵּ֑ר וְיִתְרֹ֥ון הַכְשֵׁ֖יר חָכְמָֽה׃ (Ecclesiastes 10:10) If the iron is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must strengthen with force; but the advantage of success is wisdom. Ecclesiastes 10:10 presents a metaphor of labor and effort: a dull iron blade, extra exertion, and the wisdom required to succeed. It fits within the broader themes of Qohelet, where wisdom is praised, yet human limitations and futility are acknowledged. This verse invites reflection on the balance between brute force and strategic thinking.… Learn Hebrew
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The Joy and Sorrow of a Son: Analyzing יְשַׂמַּח in Proverbs 10:1

Posted on October 1, 2019 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Proverbs 10:1: Wisdom and Folly in the Household Proverbs 10:1 marks the beginning of a new literary section—the collected sayings of Solomon. This verse presents a stark contrast between wisdom and folly, framed within the parental relationship. The verb יְשַׂמַּח (yəsammaḥ), “he makes glad,” plays a central role, revealing the power of a child’s actions to shape the emotional world of the family. מִשְׁלֵ֗י שְׁלֹ֫מֹ֥ה פ בֵּ֣ן חָ֭כָם יְשַׂמַּח־אָ֑ב וּבֵ֥ן כְּ֝סִ֗יל תּוּגַ֥ת אִמֹּֽו׃ Examining the Core Structure: The Parallelism of Joy and Sorrow The two-part parallelism of this verse is clear: בֵּ֣ן חָ֭כָם יְשַׂמַּח־אָ֑ב בֵּן (bēn) – “A son” (subject).… Learn Hebrew
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When Heaven Answers with Song: Sound, Response, and Divine Dialogue in Exodus 19:19 (Targum Jonathan)

Posted on September 19, 2019 by Biblical Hebrew
וְהַוָּה קַל שׁוֹפָרָא אָזִיל וְתַקִּיף לַחֲדָא משֶׁה הֲוָה מְמַלֵּיל וּמִן קֳדָם יְיָ הֲוָה מִתְעַנֵי בְקַל נָעִים וּמְשַׁבַּח וּנְעִימָתָא מַלְיָא And the sound of the shofar kept going and becoming very strong; Moshe was speaking, and from before YHWH, there came a pleasant voice responding and praising—full of melody. Poetic Reflection: The Mountain that Listened The giving of the Torah was not only law—it was music. Targum Jonathan’s rendering of Exodus 19:19 transforms Sinai from a site of thunder into a place of harmony.… Learn Hebrew
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  1. Biblical Hebrew Pages:
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