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.

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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Names and Lineage: Apposition and Construct Chains in 1 Chronicles 5:15

אֲחִי֙ בֶּן־עַבְדִּיאֵ֣ל בֶּן־גּוּנִ֔י רֹ֖אשׁ לְבֵ֥ית אֲבֹותָֽם׃ 1 Chronicles 5:15 is a genealogical entry, but even the briefest list of names in the Hebrew Bible reveals grammatical precision. This verse highlights the syntax of genealogical construct chains and appositional phrases. The subject, אֲחִי (Aḥi), is identified through two successive genitive relationships—son of ʿAvdiʾel, son of Guni—followed by a status designation: רֹאשׁ לְבֵית אֲבֹותָם, “chief of the house of their fathers.” Literal Translation “Aḥi, son of ʿAvdiʾel, son of Guni, was chief of their ancestral house.”… Learn Hebrew
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The Hebrew Verb דָּפַק: To Knock, Beat, or Strike

The Hebrew verb דָּפַק (root: ד־פ־ק) means “to knock,” “to beat,” or “to strike.” It conveys the idea of hitting a surface, especially a door, or of applying pressure in rhythmic or forceful motion. In the Hebrew Bible, it is used both literally (e.g., knocking or pounding) and metaphorically (e.g., forceful entry or pursuit). In Modern Hebrew, it retains its core meaning and is very commonly used for “knock” or “slam.”   Qal Binyan Conjugation of דָּפַק (“to knock, beat”) Past (Perfect) Tense Person Form 1st person singular דָּפַקְתִּי 2nd person masculine singular דָּפַקְתָּ 2nd person feminine singular דָּפַקְתְּ 3rd person masculine singular דָּפַק 3rd person feminine singular דָּפְקָה 1st person plural דָּפַקְנוּ 2nd person masculine plural דְּפַקְתֶּם 2nd person feminine plural דְּפַקְתֶּן 3rd person plural דָּפְקוּ Present (Participle) Tense Gender/Number Form Masculine singular דּוֹפֵק Feminine singular דּוֹפֶקֶת Masculine plural דּוֹפְקִים Feminine plural דּוֹפְקוֹת Future (Imperfect) Tense Person Form 1st person singular אֶדְפֹּק 2nd person masculine singular תִּדְפֹּק 2nd person feminine singular תִּדְפְּקִי 3rd person masculine singular יִדְפֹּק 3rd person feminine singular תִּדְפֹּק 1st person plural נִדְפֹּק 2nd person masculine plural תִּדְפְּקוּ 2nd person feminine plural תִּדְפֹּקְנָה 3rd person plural יִדְפְּקוּ Imperative Mood Person Form 2nd person masculine singular דְּפֹק 2nd person feminine singular דִּפְקִי 2nd person masculine plural דִּפְקוּ 2nd person feminine plural דְּפֹקְנָה   Usage in Scripture Judges 19:22 – הֵם מֵיטִיבִים אֶת לִבָּם וְהִנֵּה אַנְשֵׁי הָעִיר… דֹּפְקִים עַל הַדָּלֶת “Behold, the men of the city… were knocking on the door.”… Learn Hebrew
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Grammar Under the Rod — Causatives, Double Accusatives, and the Syntax of Accusation

וַיֻּכּ֗וּ שֹֽׁטְרֵי֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁר־שָׂ֣מוּ עֲלֵהֶ֔ם נֹגְשֵׂ֥י פַרְעֹ֖ה לֵאמֹ֑ר מַדּ֡וּעַ לֹא֩ כִלִּיתֶ֨ם חָקְכֶ֤ם לִלְבֹּן֙ כִּתְמֹ֣ול שִׁלְשֹׁ֔ם גַּם־תְּמֹ֖ול גַּם־הַיֹּֽום׃ The Blow That Speaks Exodus 5:14 plunges us into the machinery of oppression. Hebrew overseers are beaten by Egyptian taskmasters for failing to meet impossible brick quotas. Yet it is not merely the act of violence that conveys injustice — it is the syntax. This verse layers a passive causative verb, a relative clause, embedded speech, rhetorical interrogation, and temporal repetition. The result is a grammar of systemic cruelty: the very structure of the verse mimics the machinery of slavery — complex, faceless, recursive, and relentless.… Learn Hebrew
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The Hebrew Verb דָּמָה: To Resemble, Be Like, or Imagine

The Hebrew verb דָּמָה (root: ד־מ־ה) has multiple meanings based on context and stem: To resemble or be like — expressing similarity or comparison. To think, imagine, or suppose — used in reflective or interpretive contexts. To be silent or destroyed — in rare cases, from a homonymous root (not the same as “resemble”). The main stem for the meaning “to resemble” or “to think” is the Qal. The Piel and Hiphil forms may nuance “to cause to resemble” or “to compare.”… Learn Hebrew
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