-
Recent Articles
- Disaster That Flies Down: A Hebrew Lesson on Isaiah 8:22
- Purified and Presented: A Hebrew Lesson on Numbers 8:21
- Like the Nations Before You: A Hebrew Walkthrough of Deuteronomy 8:20
- Voices of the Dead or the Living God? A Hebrew Lesson on Isaiah 8:19
- When the Ground Denies Him: A Hebrew Walkthrough of Job 8:18
- From Dust to Gnats: A Hebrew Lesson in Action
- The Power of Repetition: Exploring the Waw-Consecutive
- Through the Great and Fearsome Wilderness: From Fiery Serpent to Flowing Spring
- “Counsel Is Mine” — Exploring the Voice of Wisdom in Proverbs 8:14
- From the Garden to the Ear: Participles and Imperatives in Song of Songs 8:13
- Wisdom’s Self-Introduction: Where Insight Meets Strategy
- Guard Yourself: The Grammar of Memory and Obedience
Categories
Archives
Author Archives: Biblical Hebrew
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
Posted in Grammar
Tagged Exodus 5:18
Comments Off on Exodus 5:18 – Imperative Commands and Passive Verb Usage
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
Posted in Vocabulary
Tagged דרס
Comments Off on The Hebrew Verb דָּרַס: To Trample, Tread Down, or Crush
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
Posted in Grammar
Tagged Exodus 5:17
Comments Off on Exodus 5:17 – Repetition for Emphasis and Causal עַל־כֵּן (“Therefore”)
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
Posted in Vocabulary
Tagged דרך
Comments Off on The Hebrew Verb דָּרַךְ: To Tread, March, or Bend (a Bow)
“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
Posted in Grammar
Tagged 1 Kings 5:16
Comments Off on “Solomon Sent to Ḥiram”: Syntax of Royal Initiative and Diplomatic Speech in 1 Kings 5:16
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
Posted in Vocabulary
Tagged דקר
Comments Off on The Hebrew Verb דָּקַר: To Pierce, Stab, or Thrust Through
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
Posted in Grammar
Tagged 1 Chronicles 5:15
Comments Off on Names and Lineage: Apposition and Construct Chains in 1 Chronicles 5:15
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
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
Posted in Grammar
Tagged Exodus 5:14
Comments Off on Grammar Under the Rod — Causatives, Double Accusatives, and the Syntax of Accusation
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
Posted in Vocabulary
Tagged דמה
Comments Off on The Hebrew Verb דָּמָה: To Resemble, Be Like, or Imagine