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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.

Construct Chains and Administrative Roles in 1 Kings 4:3

Posted on April 3, 2018 by Biblical Hebrew
אֱלִיחֹ֧רֶף וַאֲחִיָּ֛ה בְּנֵ֥י שִׁישָׁ֖א סֹפְרִ֑ים יְהֹושָׁפָ֥ט בֶּן־אֲחִיל֖וּד הַמַּזְכִּֽיר׃ Elīḥoref and Aḥiyyah, sons of Shishah, were scribes; Yehoshafat son of Aḥilud was the recorder. Historical and Literary Context of 1 Kings 4:3 1 Kings 4:3 occurs within the administrative list of officials under King Shelomoh’s reign, a passage that emphasizes the structure and stability of his kingdom. The verse reads: This verse not only names key figures in the royal bureaucracy but does so using formal administrative titles and construct relationships typical of court literature.… Learn Hebrew
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The Use of Construct Chains and Measurement Syntax in 2 Chronicles 4:1

Posted on April 1, 2018 by Biblical Hebrew
וַיַּ֨עַשׂ֙ מִזְבַּ֣ח נְחֹ֔שֶׁת עֶשְׂרִ֤ים אַמָּה֙ אָרְכֹּ֔ו וְעֶשְׂרִ֥ים אַמָּ֖ה רָחְבֹּ֑ו וְעֶ֥שֶׂר אַמֹּ֖ות קֹומָתֹֽו׃ ס (2 Chronicles 4:1) And he made a bronze altar: twenty cubits its length, and twenty cubits its width, and ten cubits its height. Introduction to 2 Chronicles 4:1 2 Chronicles 4:1 describes the construction of a מִזְבַּח נְחֹשֶׁת (mizbeaḥ neḥoshet, “bronze altar”) in Solomon’s Temple. This verse is notable for its use of construct chains (smikhut), which indicate possessive or descriptive relationships between nouns, and its syntax for expressing measurements.… Learn Hebrew
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Restlessness Until Completion: Imperatives, Causal Clauses, and Dramatic Tension in Ruth 3:18

Posted on March 18, 2018 by Biblical Hebrew
וַתֹּ֨אמֶר֙ שְׁבִ֣י בִתִּ֔י עַ֚ד אֲשֶׁ֣ר תֵּֽדְעִ֔ין אֵ֖יךְ יִפֹּ֣ל דָּבָ֑ר כִּ֣י לֹ֤א יִשְׁקֹט֙ הָאִ֔ישׁ כִּֽי־אִם־כִּלָּ֥ה הַדָּבָ֖ר הַיֹּֽום׃ (Ruth 3:18) And she said sit my daughter until you know how the matter will fall for the man will not rest unless he has completed the matter today. Contextual Introduction Ruth 3:18 captures a moment of intense anticipation as Naomi counsels Ruth to wait for Boʿaz’s action. Following Ruth’s bold proposal at the threshing floor, the outcome now depends on Boʿaz fulfilling the role of go’el (kinsman-redeemer).… Learn Hebrew
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Binyanim in Motion: How Verbal Stems Drive the Tension in Ruth 3:18

Posted on March 18, 2018 by Biblical Hebrew
וַתֹּ֨אמֶר֙ שְׁבִ֣י בִתִּ֔י עַ֚ד אֲשֶׁ֣ר תֵּֽדְעִ֔ין אֵ֖יךְ יִפֹּ֣ל דָּבָ֑ר כִּ֣י לֹ֤א יִשְׁקֹט֙ הָאִ֔ישׁ כִּֽי־אִם־כִּלָּ֥ה הַדָּבָ֖ר הַיֹּֽום׃ (Ruth 3:18) And she said sit my daughter until you know how the matter will fall for the man will not rest unless he has completed the matter today When Verbs Set the Stage Ruth 3:18 comes at a moment of high emotional tension. Naomi urges Ruth to wait while Boaz resolves a matter that could change her life. But this waiting is filled with motion—not outward, but inward.… Learn Hebrew
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Hebrew Grammar Lesson: Cohortative and Prepositions with Divine Names (Habakkuk 3:18)

Posted on March 18, 2018 by Biblical Hebrew
Overview Hebrew Verse Literal Translation Morphological Analysis Syntax and Word Order Verb Forms: Imperfect & Cohortative Prepositions with Divine Names Lexical Study: גִּיל and עָלַז Theological and Literary Insight Exercises Summary Overview This Biblical Hebrew grammar lesson focuses exclusively on Habakkuk 3:18. It highlights two advanced grammatical phenomena in Biblical Hebrew: the cohortative form</b (first person volitional) and the use of prepositions in divine references. These are central to interpreting poetry, prophecy, and liturgical texts in the Hebrew Bible. The grammar is deeply embedded in the worship language of Israel’s prophets.… Learn Hebrew
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The Use of the Hifil Stem in Judges 3:1

Posted on March 1, 2018 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Judges 3:1 Judges 3:1 introduces a list of nations that YHWH left in the land to test Israel. A key grammatical feature in this verse is the Hifil (causative) verb הִנִּיחַ (hinni’aḥ), which comes from the root נוח (nu’aḥ, “to rest, leave, allow”). The Hifil stem is widely used in Biblical Hebrew to express causation, meaning the subject causes an action to occur. Understanding the function of the Hifil in this verse helps clarify the theological implications of YHWH’s role in leaving these nations as a test for Israel.… Learn Hebrew
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The Zeal and Compassion of YHWH: Waw-Consecutive Action and Emotional Verbs in Joel 2:18

Posted on February 18, 2018 by Biblical Hebrew
וַיְקַנֵּ֥א יְהוָ֖ה לְאַרְצֹ֑ו וַיַּחְמֹ֖ל עַל־עַמֹּֽו׃ Joel 2:18 marks a turning point in the prophetic oracle—a movement from judgment to mercy. The verse opens with a dramatic pair of waw-consecutive verbs describing divine emotions: וַיְקַנֵּא (“and He was zealous”) and וַיַּחְמֹל (“and He had compassion”). These verbs are loaded not only with theological significance but also with grammatical richness. The waw-consecutive (or wayyiqtol) form in Biblical Hebrew denotes past narrative sequence, but when applied to God’s internal stirrings, it becomes a window into divine character and covenantal response.… Learn Hebrew
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The Grammar of Access: Repetition, Inclusivity, and Volitional Offerings in Leviticus 22:18

Posted on February 13, 2018 by Biblical Hebrew
דַּבֵּ֨ר אֶֽל־אַהֲרֹ֜ן וְאֶל־בָּנָ֗יו וְאֶל֙ כָּל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְאָמַרְתָּ֖ אֲלֵהֶ֑ם אִ֣ישׁ אִישׁ֩ מִבֵּ֨ית יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל וּמִן־הַגֵּ֣ר בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אֲשֶׁ֨ר יַקְרִ֤יב קָרְבָּנֹו֙ לְכָל־נִדְרֵיהֶם֙ וּלְכָל־נִדְבֹותָ֔ם אֲשֶׁר־יַקְרִ֥יבוּ לַיהוָ֖ה לְעֹלָֽה׃ (Leviticus 22:18) “Speak to Aharon, to his sons, and to all the children of Yisra’el, and say to them: Any man of the house of Yisra’el or of the sojourners in Yisra’el who brings his offering for any of their vows or any of their freewill offerings which they bring to YHWH as a burnt offering; Directives to All: דַּבֵּר … וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם דַּבֵּר — Piel imperative 2ms of ד־ב־ר, “to speak.”… Learn Hebrew
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The Cry of Endurance: Analyzing עַד־אָנָה in Job 19:2

Posted on February 1, 2018 by Biblical Hebrew
עַד־֭אָנָה תֹּוגְי֣וּן נַפְשִׁ֑י וּֽתְדַכְּאוּנַ֥נִי בְמִלִּֽים׃ (Job 19:2) How long will you torment my soul and crush me with words? The Rhetoric of Lament Job 19:2 is part of one of the most emotionally charged speeches in the Book of Job, where Job responds to his friends’ repeated accusations and moral judgments. His words are deeply personal, rhetorical, and anguished. The phrase עַד־אָנָה opens the verse with a powerful lament, best translated as “How long?” This article explores the grammatical construction, poetic force, and theological weight of עַד־אָנָה, revealing how it frames Job’s emotional suffering and deep existential appeal.… Learn Hebrew
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Rhetorical Interrogatives and Philosophical Irony in Ecclesiastes 1:3

Posted on January 3, 2018 by Biblical Hebrew
מַה־יִּתְרֹ֖ון לָֽאָדָ֑ם בְּכָל־עֲמָלֹ֔ו שֶֽׁיַּעֲמֹ֖ל תַּ֥חַת הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃ (Ecclesiastes 1:3) What advantage is there for a person in all his labor which he labors under the sun? Questioning the Value of Labor This verse serves as the thematic thesis of Ecclesiastes, casting doubt on human toil through a penetrating rhetorical question. Unlike typical interrogatives in Biblical Hebrew that seek information, this one delivers existential irony. The grammatical backbone is the interrogative particle מַה followed by an imperfect verb, coupled with an existential clause and the frequent idiom תַּ֥חַת הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ (“under the sun”).… Learn Hebrew
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