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Recent Articles
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- Descending into Night: Time Expressions and Poetic Parallelism in Biblical Hebrew
- The Tiberian Vowel System
- When God Speaks: The Syntax of Divine Speech Frames in Biblical Hebrew
- The Role of Gutturals (א, ה, ח, ע) in Verb Conjugation
- “Into the Ark Together”: Order, Gender, and Cause in the LXX Rendering of Noah’s Entry
- Burning Beneath the Pot: Simile Syntax and Semantic Force in Ecclesiastes 7:6
- Gutturals in Biblical Hebrew
- Guarded by Grammar: Purpose Clauses and Verbal Suffixes in Proverbs 7:5
- And They Fled Before the Men of ʿAi”: A Hebrew Battle Surprise
- Theophoric Names in the Hebrew Bible: Divine Elements in Human Identity
- “Go Out to Meet Ahaz”: A Hebrew Mission in Isaiah 7:3
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Author Archives: Biblical Hebrew
Antithetical Parallelism and Object-Verb Inversion in Prophetic Woe Oracles
Introduction to Isaiah 5:20
This verse forms part of a series of woe oracles in Isaiah 5 that denounce moral perversion and societal corruption. It presents a poetic and rhetorical list of accusations against those who invert moral categories. The verse features antithetical parallelism, where one concept is juxtaposed with its opposite, and also displays instances of object-verb inversion for poetic emphasis. This lesson will focus on the use of semantic inversion and syntactic order variation to deliver prophetic condemnation.
הֹ֣וי הָאֹמְרִ֥ים לָרַ֛ע טֹ֖וב וְלַטֹּ֣וב רָ֑ע שָׂמִ֨ים חֹ֤שֶׁךְ לְאֹור֙ וְאֹ֣ור לְחֹ֔שֶׁךְ שָׂמִ֥ים מַ֛ר לְמָתֹ֖וק וּמָתֹ֥וק לְמָֽר׃
Analysis of Key Words and Structures
הֹ֣וי (hoy) – “Woe!”… Learn Hebrew
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The Hebrew Verb הָיָה: To Be, Become, or Happen
The Hebrew verb הָיָה (root: ה־י־ה) is one of the most essential and frequently used verbs in the Hebrew Bible. It means “to be,” “to become,” “to happen,” or “to exist.” It expresses states of being, identity, transformation, and occurrence. Though simple in form, its theological and grammatical importance is immense—especially in divine names like יְהוָה (YHWH), which is related etymologically to this root.
Unlike many verbs, הָיָה lacks a Qal participle and present-tense forms in biblical Hebrew. Instead, presence is usually implied or expressed with particles or suffixes.… Learn Hebrew
Let It Come! — Jussives, Sarcasm, and the Grammar of Provocation
הָאֹמְרִ֗ים יְמַהֵ֧ר יָחִ֛ישָׁה מַעֲשֵׂ֖הוּ לְמַ֣עַן נִרְאֶ֑ה וְתִקְרַ֣ב וְתָבֹ֗ואָה עֲצַ֛ת קְדֹ֥ושׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל וְנֵדָֽעָה׃
The Voice of the Scoffer
Isaiah 5:19 places us in the mouth of the arrogant: those who dare the God of Yisra’el to act, mocking divine delay and justice. But the verse doesn’t merely quote their defiance — it mirrors it in grammar. The Hebrew is laced with jussive verbs, cohortative structures, and rhetorical inversion. Their words are arranged in commands, not prayers — in provocations, not petitions. The syntax is deliberate: the scoffer disguises rebellion as eagerness, and grammar becomes the very vessel of blasphemy.… Learn Hebrew
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The Hebrew Verb דָּרַשׁ: To Seek, Inquire, Investigate, or Preach
The Hebrew verb דָּרַשׁ (root: ד־ר־שׁ) has a wide and rich semantic range. It fundamentally means “to seek” or “to inquire,” but its usage expands into contexts of:
Seeking or inquiring after someone or something (including God).
Studying or investigating deeply, especially Scripture or law.
Preaching, interpreting, or expounding—as seen in Rabbinic Hebrew.
This verb is central to the development of midrash (מִדְרָשׁ), meaning “interpretation” or “exposition.” It appears frequently in the Bible, especially in Deuteronomy, Psalms, and prophetic literature.
Qal Binyan Conjugation of דָּרַשׁ (“to seek, inquire, interpret”)
Past (Perfect) Tense
Person
Form
1st person singular
דָּרַשְׁתִּי
2nd person masculine singular
דָּרַשְׁתָּ
2nd person feminine singular
דָּרַשְׁתְּ
3rd person masculine singular
דָּרַשׁ
3rd person feminine singular
דָּרְשָׁה
1st person plural
דָּרַשְׁנוּ
2nd person masculine plural
דְּרַשְׁתֶּם
2nd person feminine plural
דְּרַשְׁתֶּן
3rd person plural
דָּרְשׁוּ
Present (Participle) Tense
Gender/Number
Form
Masculine singular
דּוֹרֵשׁ
Feminine singular
דּוֹרֶשֶׁת
Masculine plural
דּוֹרְשִׁים
Feminine plural
דּוֹרְשׁוֹת
Future (Imperfect) Tense
Person
Form
1st person singular
אֶדְרֹשׁ
2nd person masculine singular
תִּדְרֹשׁ
2nd person feminine singular
תִּדְרְשִׁי
3rd person masculine singular
יִדְרֹשׁ
3rd person feminine singular
תִּדְרֹשׁ
1st person plural
נִדְרֹשׁ
2nd person masculine plural
תִּדְרְשׁוּ
2nd person feminine plural
תִּדְרֹשְׁנָה
3rd person plural
יִדְרְשׁוּ
Imperative Mood
Person
Form
2nd person masculine singular
דְּרֹשׁ
2nd person feminine singular
דִּרְשִׁי
2nd person masculine plural
דִּרְשׁוּ
2nd person feminine plural
דְּרֹשְׁנָה
Usage in Scripture
Deuteronomy 4:29 – וּבִקַּשְׁתֶּם מִשָּׁם אֵת יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ וּמָצָאתָ כִּי תִדְרְשֶׁנּוּ
“You will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him, if you search after Him…”
Amos 5:4 – דִּרְשׁוּנִי וִחְיוּ
“Seek Me and live.”… Learn Hebrew
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Exodus 5:18 – Imperative Commands and Passive Verb Usage
וְעַתָּה֙ לְכ֣וּ עִבְד֔וּ וְתֶ֖בֶן לֹא־יִנָּתֵ֣ן לָכֶ֑ם וְתֹ֥כֶן לְבֵנִ֖ים תִּתֵּֽנּוּ׃
So now, go, work! And straw shall not be given to you, but the quota of bricks you must give.
Explanation of Feature
This verse from Exodus 5:18 contains:
1. Imperative verbs: לְכוּ (“Go!”) and עִבְדוּ (“Work!”), direct commands in the second person plural form.
2. A passive verb in the imperfect: יִנָּתֵן (“shall be given”) using the Nifʿal binyan.
3. A concessive structure: although no straw is provided, the required production remains unchanged.… Learn Hebrew
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The Hebrew Verb דָּרַס: To Trample, Tread Down, or Crush
The Hebrew verb דָּרַס (root: ד־ר־ס) means “to trample,” “to tread down,” or “to crush underfoot.” It conveys the sense of forceful stepping, often violent in nature. In the Tanakh, it is used in both literal and figurative contexts, particularly in poetry and prophecy where trampling symbolizes conquest, judgment, or desecration.
This verb appears in the Qal stem (active), with strong connotations of domination and destruction.
Qal Binyan Conjugation of דָּרַס (“to trample, tread down”)
Past (Perfect) Tense
Person
Form
1st person singular
דָּרַסְתִּי
2nd person masculine singular
דָּרַסְתָּ
2nd person feminine singular
דָּרַסְתְּ
3rd person masculine singular
דָּרַס
3rd person feminine singular
דָּרְסָה
1st person plural
דָּרַסְנוּ
2nd person masculine plural
דְּרַסְתֶּם
2nd person feminine plural
דְּרַסְתֶּן
3rd person plural
דָּרְסוּ
Present (Participle) Tense
Gender/Number
Form
Masculine singular
דּוֹרֵס
Feminine singular
דּוֹרֶסֶת
Masculine plural
דּוֹרְסִים
Feminine plural
דּוֹרְסוֹת
Future (Imperfect) Tense
Person
Form
1st person singular
אֶדְרֹס
2nd person masculine singular
תִּדְרֹס
2nd person feminine singular
תִּדְרְסִי
3rd person masculine singular
יִדְרֹס
3rd person feminine singular
תִּדְרֹס
1st person plural
נִדְרֹס
2nd person masculine plural
תִּדְרְסוּ
2nd person feminine plural
תִּדְרֹסְנָה
3rd person plural
יִדְרְסוּ
Imperative Mood
Person
Form
2nd person masculine singular
דְּרֹס
2nd person feminine singular
דִּרְסִי
2nd person masculine plural
דִּרְסוּ
2nd person feminine plural
דְּרֹסְנָה
Usage in Scripture
Psalm 7:6 – וְעוֹרָה לְאֵלַי מִשְׁפָּט צִוִּיתָ
(While not using the verb directly here, Psalms often express imagery of trampling in battle or judgment.)… Learn Hebrew
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Exodus 5:17 – Repetition for Emphasis and Causal עַל־כֵּן (“Therefore”)
וַיֹּ֛אמֶר נִרְפִּ֥ים אַתֶּ֖ם נִרְפִּ֑ים עַל־כֵּן֙ אַתֶּ֣ם אֹֽמְרִ֔ים נֵלְכָ֖ה נִזְבְּחָ֥ה לַֽיהוָֽה׃
And he said, “You are idle! Idle! Therefore you say, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to YHWH.’”
Explanation of Feature
This verse from Exodus 5:17 demonstrates two key grammatical and rhetorical features:
1. Repetition for emphasis – the phrase נִרְפִּים אַתֶּם נִרְפִּים (“you are idle, idle!”) repeats the same verb to heighten accusation and intensity.
2. The use of עַל־כֵּן (“therefore”) as a causal connector, introducing the consequence or result of a perceived condition.… Learn Hebrew
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The Hebrew Verb דָּרַךְ: To Tread, March, or Bend (a Bow)
The Hebrew verb דָּרַךְ (root: ד־ר־ךְ) means “to tread,” “to march,” “to step,” or “to bend (a bow).” It is used in a range of contexts from walking or trampling upon something, to preparing a weapon for battle. In poetic and prophetic passages, it often carries connotations of judgment, readiness for war, or movement through a land.
This verb appears primarily in the Qal stem (active) and also in the Hiphil (causative) with the meaning “to cause to tread” or “to guide.”… Learn Hebrew
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“Solomon Sent to Ḥiram”: Syntax of Royal Initiative and Diplomatic Speech in 1 Kings 5:16
Introduction: Covenant Kingship and Political Dialogue
1 Kings 5:16 p introduces a pivotal moment of international diplomacy: King Shelomoh initiates correspondence with King Ḥiram of Tsor (Tyre) to request assistance in building the temple. The verse is brief, yet the syntax establishes a formal and royal tone, using standard diplomatic conventions rooted in prophetic narrative style:
וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה אֶל־חִירָ֖ם לֵאמֹֽר׃
And Shelomoh sent to Ḥiram, saying:
This succinct verse serves as the formulaic opening of a longer unit of royal correspondence (vv.… Learn Hebrew
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The Hebrew Verb דָּקַר: To Pierce, Stab, or Thrust Through
The Hebrew verb דָּקַר (root: ד־ק־ר) means “to pierce,” “to stab,” or “to thrust through” with a sharp object. It is a vivid verb often used in military, prophetic, and poetic contexts, usually involving spears, swords, or sharp weapons. It conveys a violent or fatal action and is frequently found in descriptions of death, judgment, or warfare.
This verb appears primarily in the Qal binyan (simple active stem) and occasionally in the Niphal (passive) or Pual stems.
Qal Binyan Conjugation of דָּקַר (“to pierce, stab”)
Past (Perfect) Tense
Person
Form
1st person singular
דָּקַרְתִּי
2nd person masculine singular
דָּקַרְתָּ
2nd person feminine singular
דָּקַרְתְּ
3rd person masculine singular
דָּקַר
3rd person feminine singular
דָּקְרָה
1st person plural
דָּקַרְנוּ
2nd person masculine plural
דְּקַרְתֶּם
2nd person feminine plural
דְּקַרְתֶּן
3rd person plural
דָּקְרוּ
Present (Participle) Tense
Gender/Number
Form
Masculine singular
דּוֹקֵר
Feminine singular
דּוֹקֶרֶת
Masculine plural
דּוֹקְרִים
Feminine plural
דּוֹקְרוֹת
Future (Imperfect) Tense
Person
Form
1st person singular
אֶדְקֹר
2nd person masculine singular
תִּדְקֹר
2nd person feminine singular
תִּדְקְרִי
3rd person masculine singular
יִדְקֹר
3rd person feminine singular
תִּדְקֹר
1st person plural
נִדְקֹר
2nd person masculine plural
תִּדְקְרוּ
2nd person feminine plural
תִּדְקֹרְנָה
3rd person plural
יִדְקְרוּ
Imperative Mood
Person
Form
2nd person masculine singular
דְּקֹר
2nd person feminine singular
דִּקְרִי
2nd person masculine plural
דִּקְרוּ
2nd person feminine plural
דְּקֹרְנָה
Usage in Scripture
Zechariah 12:10 – וְהִבִּיטוּ אֵלַי אֵת אֲשֶׁר־דָּקָרוּ
“They shall look upon Me whom they have pierced.”… Learn Hebrew
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