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.

Arrows and Advocacy: Blessing, Fulfillment, and Courtroom Imagery in Psalm 127:5

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Biblical Hebrew
Psalm 127:5 אַשְׁרֵ֤י הַגֶּ֗בֶר אֲשֶׁ֤ר מִלֵּ֥א אֶת־אַשְׁפָּתֹ֗ו מֵהֶ֥ם לֹֽא־יֵבֹ֑שׁוּ כִּֽי־יְדַבְּר֖וּ אֶת־אֹיְבִ֣ים בַּשָּֽׁעַר׃ Blessed Is the Man: אַשְׁרֵי הַגֶּבֶר אַשְׁרֵי (“blessed is”) is a construct form of אֶשֶׁר (“happiness, blessedness”), functioning as a declaration of commendation or felicity. הַגֶּבֶר — “the man,” a strong term (as opposed to אָדָם) implying individual strength or valor This common formula appears in wisdom and praise texts, linking moral or familial success with divine approval. Fulfilled Quiver: אֲשֶׁר מִלֵּא אֶת־אַשְׁפָּתֹו מֵהֶם This relative clause explains why the man is blessed.… Learn Hebrew
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Syntax of Vengeance: Parallelism and Curse in Psalm 83:12

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Biblical Hebrew
שִׁיתֵ֣מֹו נְ֭דִיבֵמֹו כְּעֹרֵ֣ב וְכִזְאֵ֑ב וּֽכְזֶ֥בַח וּ֝כְצַלְמֻנָּ֗ע כָּל־נְסִיכֵֽמֹו׃ (Psalm 83:12) Contextual Overview: A Poetic Petition for Justice Psalm 83 is a national lament and imprecatory psalm, calling for YHWH’s judgment on Israel’s enemies. Verse 12 offers a vivid poetic request to strike down enemy leaders, invoking historical figures associated with divine judgment. The syntax here is not only poetic—it is strategically structured to reinforce emotional impact and theological memory. Clause Structure: Imperative with Coordinated Similes The verse opens with a 3rd person masculine plural jussive (volitional) verb: – שִׁיתֵמֹו – “Make them [like]…” This is followed by the direct object נְדִיבֵמֹו (“their nobles”), and a series of coordinated comparative similes introduced by the preposition כְּ־ (“like”): 1.… Learn Hebrew
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The Influence of Heart and the Hifil Verb הִשִּׁיאֶ֔ךָ in Obadiah 1:3

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Obadiah 1:3 Obadiah 1:3 continues the prophetic judgment against Edom, emphasizing its arrogance and false sense of security. The verse contains several significant grammatical elements, including the noun זְדֹ֤ון (zedon, “pride”), the Hifil verb הִשִּׁיאֶ֔ךָ (hishi’ekha, “has deceived you”), and the construct phrase שֹׁכְנִ֥י בְחַגְוֵי־סֶּ֖לַע (shokhni beḥagvei-sela‘, “dwelling in the clefts of the rock”). These elements highlight how Edom’s pride has led to its downfall, revealing the theological and linguistic depth of divine retribution. זְדֹ֤ון לִבְּךָ֙ הִשִּׁיאֶ֔ךָ שֹׁכְנִ֥י בְחַגְוֵי־סֶּ֖לַע מְרֹ֣ום שִׁבְתֹּ֑ו אֹמֵ֣ר בְּלִבֹּ֔ו מִ֥י יֹורִדֵ֖נִי אָֽרֶץ׃ Analysis of Key Words/Phrases 1.… Learn Hebrew
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The Use of the Participle and Passive Constructions in Obadiah 1:2

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Obadiah 1:2 Obadiah 1:2 is part of a divine declaration against Edom, emphasizing its diminished status among the nations. This verse contains notable grammatical features, including the passive participle בָּזוּי (bazui, “despised”), the Qal perfect נְתַתִּיךָ (netattikha, “I have made you”), and the emphatic use of מְאֹד (me’od, “very much”). These linguistic elements reinforce the judgmental tone and theological significance of divine retribution. הִנֵּ֥ה קָטֹ֛ן נְתַתִּ֖יךָ בַּגֹּויִ֑ם בָּז֥וּי אַתָּ֖ה מְאֹֽד׃ Analysis of Key Words/Phrases 1. הִנֵּ֥ה (hinneh) – “Behold” (attention marker) 2.… Learn Hebrew
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The Use of Imperative and Interrogative Constructions in Joel 1:2

Posted on December 4, 2011 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Joel 1:2 Joel 1:2 begins with a prophetic call to attention, addressing both the elders (הַזְּקֵנִים) and the inhabitants of the land (יֹושְׁבֵי הָאָרֶץ). This verse employs imperative verbs (שִׁמְעוּ, הַאֲזִינוּ) to command the audience to listen, followed by an interrogative clause (הֶהָיְתָה זֹּאת בִּימֵיכֶם?) that challenges the hearers to consider the uniqueness of the event being described. These grammatical structures emphasize the urgency and rhetorical impact of the prophet’s message. שִׁמְעוּ־זֹאת֙ הַזְּקֵנִ֔ים וְהַֽאֲזִ֔ינוּ כֹּ֖ל יֹושְׁבֵ֣י הָאָ֑רֶץ הֶהָ֤יְתָה זֹּאת֙ בִּֽימֵיכֶ֔ם וְאִ֖ם בִּימֵ֥י אֲבֹֽתֵיכֶֽם׃ Analysis of Key Words/Phrases 1.… Learn Hebrew
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The Hebrew Numeral System: Gender, Structure, and Sacred Precision

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Biblical Hebrew
The Hebrew numeral system stands out in the ancient linguistic world for its grammatical complexity and semantic precision. Unlike Indo-European systems that separate numerals from morphology, Biblical Hebrew weaves numbers tightly into the grammatical fabric of the sentence through gender, number, and syntactic state. At its core, the system divides numbers by value—units, tens, hundreds, thousands, and beyond—but these values are also inflected by gender (masculine/feminine), state (absolute/construct), and sometimes even by suffix pronouns. For example, in Genesis 31:37, the word שׁנינו (“us two”) combines the dual numeral for “two” with a first-person plural pronominal suffix, expressing a uniquely Hebrew blend of number and relationship.… Learn Hebrew
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Biblical Hebrew Grammar: Qal Perfect in Genesis 1:1

Posted on August 22, 2010 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction Verse in Focus Grammar Topic Morphology Analysis Syntax Notes Additional Examples Practice Exercises Introduction This Biblical Hebrew grammar lesson focuses on the Qal Perfect verb form as seen in Genesis 1:1. The Qal Perfect is often used to express completed actions and is one of the foundational verb stems in Biblical Hebrew. Verse in Focus: Genesis 1:1 בְּרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֵת הָאָרֶץ Translation: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Grammar Topic: The Qal Perfect Verb Form The verb בָּרָא (bara) is in the Qal Perfect form.… Learn Hebrew
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Biblical Hebrew Grammar: Wayyiqtol and Construct Chains in Genesis 2:7

Posted on July 22, 2010 by Biblical Hebrew
Overview Hebrew Verse Literal Translation Morphological Analysis Syntax and Word Order The Wayyiqtol Verb Form Construct Chains and Word Pairs Theological and Linguistic Insights Exercises Summary Overview This in-depth Biblical Hebrew lesson is based solely on the Hebrew of Genesis 2:7. It explores two key grammatical features foundational to Biblical Hebrew: the wayyiqtol verb form, which expresses narrative past tense, and the construct chain, which binds nouns into possessive or descriptive relationships. These structures are essential for students advancing from beginner to intermediate levels of Biblical Hebrew grammar.… Learn Hebrew
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19. Changes of Consonants

Posted on February 2, 2006 by Biblical Hebrew
Changes of consonants in Biblical Hebrew arise from processes such as commutation, assimilation, rejection, addition, transposition, and softening, all of which reflect the interaction between phonological tendencies and morphological structure. Commutation involves the interchange of similar consonants, often due to shared articulation or historical variation. Assimilation typically affects the consonant נ, which merges into a following consonant and triggers Dageš forte. Rejection, or elision, occurs when weak consonants like נ, ל, א, ה, ו, or י are dropped at the beginning (aphaeresis), middle (syncope), or end (apocope) of a word.… Learn Hebrew
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17. Of the Qerê and Kethîb. Masora marginalis and finalis

Posted on January 31, 2006 by Biblical Hebrew
The system of Qerê and Kethîb in the Hebrew Bible reflects a scribal tradition that preserves both the written text (Kethîb, “what is written”) and the preferred oral reading (Qerê, “what is read”). In such cases, the consonants of the Kethîb remain in the text, while the vowels of the Qerê are superimposed, with the full Qerê form noted in the margin. Special categories include Kethîb velo Qerê (written but not read) and Qerê velo Kethîb (read but not written). Some readings, known as Qerê perpetuum, are so common they are assumed without marginal notes (e.g.,… Learn Hebrew
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