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.

The Tribal Inheritance of Joseph’s Sons: Construct Chains in Joshua 14:4

Posted on July 10, 2014 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Joshua 14:4 Joshua 14:4 is part of the allotment of land among the Israelite tribes, specifically highlighting the inheritance of the descendants of יֹוסֵף (Yosef). The verse explains that Yosef’s sons, מְנַשֶּׁה (Menashsheh) and אֶפְרָיִם (Efrayim), were counted as two separate tribes, making up two of the twelve tribal allocations. It also clarifies that the Levites did not receive a land inheritance but were given cities and pasturelands. Grammatically, this verse presents an important example of construct chains (סְמִיכוּת), a fundamental feature of Biblical Hebrew syntax.… Learn Hebrew
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The Prohibition of Remarrying a Divorced Wife: Syntax and Verb Forms in Deuteronomy 24:4

Posted on July 9, 2014 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Deuteronomy 24:4 Deuteronomy 24:4 is part of a legal passage dealing with divorce and remarriage within Israelite society. The verse prohibits a man from remarrying his former wife after she has married another man and subsequently been divorced or widowed. This law is framed as a divine prohibition, emphasizing moral and theological principles. Grammatically, this verse provides significant insights into Biblical Hebrew syntax and verb forms, particularly the use of יוּכַ֣ל (yukhal, “he will be able”) in the imperfect form, as well as the passive הֻטַּמָּ֔אָה (huttammāʾāh, “she has been defiled”).… Learn Hebrew
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The Use of the Verb שָׂנֵא in Deuteronomy 24:3

Posted on July 8, 2014 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Deuteronomy 24:3 Deuteronomy 24:3 is part of a legal passage addressing the conditions under which a divorced woman may or may not remarry. This verse presents a scenario in which a woman, having been previously divorced and remarried, faces either a second divorce or widowhood. A key verb in this passage is וּשְׂנֵאָהּ, which derives from the root שָׂנֵא (“to hate” or “to reject”). This verb plays a crucial role in legal and covenantal language in Biblical Hebrew. In this study, we will analyze its morphology, syntactic function, and semantic significance in Deuteronomy 24:3.… Learn Hebrew
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The Use of the Hiphil Imperative in Genesis 1:11

Posted on July 7, 2014 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Genesis 1:11 וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֗ים תַּֽדְשֵׁ֤א הָאָ֨רֶץ֙ דֶּ֔שֶׁא עֵ֚שֶׂב מַזְרִ֣יעַ זֶ֔רַע עֵ֣ץ פְּרִ֞י עֹ֤שֶׂה פְּרִי֙ לְמִינֹ֔ו אֲשֶׁ֥ר זַרְעֹו־בֹ֖ו עַל־הָאָ֑רֶץ וַֽיְהִי־כֵֽן׃ Genesis 1:11 records part of the creation narrative, where God commands the earth to bring forth vegetation. The key verb in this verse, תַּֽדְשֵׁ֤א (tadshēʾ), is a Hiphil imperative, an important grammatical construction in Biblical Hebrew. The Hiphil stem conveys causative action, meaning that God does not simply state that vegetation will grow but actively commands the earth to produce it.… Learn Hebrew
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The Use of the Wayyiqtol Form in Esther 3:1

Posted on July 6, 2014 by Biblical Hebrew
Esther 3:1 in Hebrew אַחַ֣ר הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה גִּדַּל֩ הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרֹ֜ושׁ אֶת־הָמָ֧ן בֶּֽן־הַמְּדָ֛תָא הָאֲגָגִ֖י וַֽיְנַשְּׂאֵ֑הוּ וַיָּ֨שֶׂם֙ אֶת־כִּסְאֹ֔ו מֵעַ֕ל כָּל־הַשָּׂרִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר אִתֹּֽו׃ Introduction to the Verse Esther 3:1 introduces the elevation of Haman to a position of high authority. The verb forms in this verse follow the wayyiqtol construction, which is a primary narrative tense in Biblical Hebrew. This tense is essential in structuring sequential events in biblical storytelling. Understanding the Wayyiqtol Form 1. What is Wayyiqtol? – The wayyiqtol form is a past narrative tense used frequently in biblical prose.… Learn Hebrew
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The Use of Conditional Structures in Leviticus 12:8

Posted on July 5, 2014 by Biblical Hebrew
Leviticus 12:8 in Hebrew וְאִם־לֹ֨א תִמְצָ֣א יָדָהּ֮ דֵּ֣י שֶׂה֒ וְלָקְחָ֣ה שְׁתֵּֽי־תֹרִ֗ים אֹ֤ו שְׁנֵי֙ בְּנֵ֣י יֹונָ֔ה אֶחָ֥ד לְעֹלָ֖ה וְאֶחָ֣ד לְחַטָּ֑את וְכִפֶּ֥ר עָלֶ֛יהָ הַכֹּהֵ֖ן וְטָהֵֽרָה׃ Introduction to the Verse Leviticus 12:8 outlines the alternative sacrificial offering for a woman after childbirth when she cannot afford a lamb. This verse demonstrates a conditional clause structure, where an alternative provision is made based on economic limitations. Understanding the Conditional Structure 1. וְאִם־לֹ֨א (Ve’im-lo) – “And if not” – וְאִם (ve’im) is a conditional phrase, meaning “and if.”… Learn Hebrew
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The Use of the Qal Imperfect and Negative Particles in Leviticus 12:4

Posted on July 4, 2014 by Biblical Hebrew
Leviticus 12:4 in Hebrew וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים יֹום֙ וּשְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת יָמִ֔ים תֵּשֵׁ֖ב בִּדְמֵ֣י טָהֳרָ֑ה בְּכָל־קֹ֣דֶשׁ לֹֽא־תִגָּ֗ע וְאֶל־הַמִּקְדָּשׁ֙ לֹ֣א תָבֹ֔א עַד־מְלֹ֖את יְמֵ֥י טָהֳרָֽהּ׃ Introduction to the Verse Leviticus 12:4 discusses the period of purification after childbirth, focusing on ritual purity laws. A key grammatical feature in this verse is the use of the Qal imperfect verbs along with the negative particles לֹא and עַד to express prohibitions and time restrictions. Examining the Key Verbs and Negative Particles 1. תֵּשֵׁ֖ב (Tēshēv) – “She shall remain” – This verb comes from the root י־ש־ב (y-sh-v), meaning “to sit, dwell, or remain”.… Learn Hebrew
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Ezekiel 37:14 – Cohortative and Perfect Verbs of Promise

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Biblical Hebrew
וְנָתַתִּ֨י רוּחִ֤י בָכֶם֙ וִחְיִיתֶ֔ם וְהִנַּחְתִּ֥י אֶתְכֶ֖ם עַל־אַדְמַתְכֶ֑ם וִידַעְתֶּ֞ם כִּי־אֲנִ֧י יְהוָ֛ה דִּבַּ֥רְתִּי וְעָשִׂ֖יתִי נְאֻם־יְהוָֽה׃ And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your land; and you shall know that I am YHWH—I have spoken, and I have done it, declares YHWH. Explanation of Feature This verse from Ezekiel 37:14 highlights the use of perfect verbs in prophetic speech to express future certainty and fulfilled promise—a common prophetic technique in Biblical Hebrew. Verbs like דִּבַּרְתִּי (“I have spoken”) and עָשִׂיתִי (“I have done”) appear in the perfect tense, but contextually refer to future actions that are so certain they are spoken of as if already completed.… Learn Hebrew
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The Use of the Niphal Imperfect in Exodus 35:2

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Biblical Hebrew
שֵׁ֣שֶׁת יָמִים֮ תֵּעָשֶׂ֣ה מְלָאכָה֒ וּבַיֹּ֣ום הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗י יִהְיֶ֨ה לָכֶ֥ם קֹ֛דֶשׁ שַׁבַּ֥ת שַׁבָּתֹ֖ון לַיהוָ֑ה כָּל־הָעֹשֶׂ֥ה בֹ֛ו מְלָאכָ֖ה יוּמָֽת׃ Introduction to Exodus 35:2 Exodus 35:2 provides a command regarding the observance of the Sabbath, emphasizing the six days of work and the seventh day as a holy day of rest. A significant grammatical feature in this verse is the Niphal imperfect verb תֵּעָשֶׂ֣ה (tēʿāśeh), which affects the understanding of who is performing the action of work. Understanding the Niphal Imperfect in תֵּעָשֶׂ֣ה 1. What is the Niphal Stem?… Learn Hebrew
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The Use of the Hiphil Imperfect in 1 Samuel 27:11

Posted on July 2, 2014 by Biblical Hebrew
1 Samuel 27:11 וְאִ֨ישׁ וְאִשָּׁ֜ה לֹֽא־יְחַיֶּ֣ה דָוִ֗ד לְהָבִ֥יא גַת֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר פֶּן־יַגִּ֥דוּ עָלֵ֖ינוּ לֵאמֹ֑ר כֹּֽה־עָשָׂ֤ה דָוִד֙ וְכֹ֣ה מִשְׁפָּטֹ֔ו כָּל־הַ֨יָּמִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָשַׁ֖ב בִּשְׂדֵ֥ה פְלִשְׁתִּֽים׃ Introduction to the Verse 1 Samuel 27:11 contains a Hiphil imperfect verb, which is key to understanding David’s actions and intentions. The verb יְחַיֶּ֣ה (yəḥayyêh) appears in the Hiphil stem, indicating causation. Understanding the Hiphil Imperfect in יְחַיֶּ֣ה 1. What is the Hiphil Imperfect? – The Hiphil stem is one of the seven binyanim (verbal stems) in Biblical Hebrew.… Learn Hebrew
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