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Recent Articles
- The Hebrew Verb בָּקַר: To Seek, Inquire, or Inspect
- The Mark of Mercy: Legal Syntax and Divine Protection in Genesis 4:15
- The Hebrew Verb בָּצַע: To Cut Off, Break Open, or Gain Unjustly
- Teaching the Law: Syntax of Instruction and Inheritance in Deuteronomy 4:14
- The Hebrew Verb בָּנָה: To Build, Construct, or Establish
- Dream Syntax and Divine Communication: Structural Layers in Job 4:13
- The Hebrew Verb בָּלַע: To Swallow, Devour, or Destroy
- Concealing the Sacred: Sequential Syntax and Ritual Handling in Numbers 4:12
- The Hebrew Verb בָּלַט: To Slip Away, Be Secret, or Move Stealthily
- Appositional Syntax and Dynastic Integration in 1 Kings 4:11
- Conditional Syntax and Communal Anthropology in Ecclesiastes 4:11
- The Hebrew Verb בָּכָה: To Weep or Cry
Categories
Author Archives: Biblical Hebrew
“Sweeping Away All Things”: The Use of Infinitive Absolute for Emphasis in Zephaniah 1:3
Introduction to Zephaniah 1:3: Cosmic Judgment through Grammatical Emphasis Zephaniah 1:3 belongs to the opening judgment oracle of the book, where YHWH declares a sweeping destruction across all creation—humans, beasts, birds, and fish. The verse uses a striking grammatical structure: … Continue reading
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“He Makes My Feet Like the Deer’s”: Simile and Ascent in Habakkuk 3:19
Introduction to Habakkuk 3:19: Divine Enablement in Poetic Triumph Habakkuk 3:19 concludes the prophet’s prayer with an expression of exaltation and movement. The imagery of sure-footedness and elevation captures the essence of divine empowerment amid suffering. This article explores the … Continue reading
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Tagged Habakkuk, Habakkuk 3:19
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Verb Study: אִיֵּם — “to threaten”
The Hebrew verb אִיֵּם (ʾiyyēm) means “to threaten” and is used in the Piel stem. It conveys the act of menacing, intimidating, or making a threat. The root is א־י־ם, and the verb appears in several biblical contexts, especially in … Continue reading
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Tagged Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy 28:58
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“Do Not Arouse Love Until It Desires”: Volition, Oath, and the Conditional אִם in Song of Songs 2:7
Introduction to Song of Songs 2:7: A Poetic Oath of Restraint This iconic verse from the Song of Songs is the first of three poetic refrains that appear throughout the book (cf. 3:5, 8:4). Here, the female speaker addresses the … Continue reading
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“I Will Not Withhold a Word”: The Cohortative and Prophetic Intention in Jeremiah 42:4
Introduction to Jeremiah 42:4: The Prophet’s Assurance In Jeremiah 42:4, the prophet responds to a plea for divine counsel. His statement is notable for its solemn tone and its careful use of Hebrew verbal forms to express commitment, intention, and … Continue reading
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“But Only Cities to Live In”: The Restrictive Construction כִּי אִם in Joshua 14:4
Introduction to Joshua 14:4: Tribal Allocation and Levitical Exception Joshua 14:4 outlines the distribution of the land among the tribes of Yisra’el, highlighting the unique position of the descendants of Yosef and the tribe of Levi. Most tribes received a … Continue reading
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Verb Study: אִחֵל — “to wish” or “to congratulate”
The Hebrew verb אִחֵל (ʾiḥēl) appears in the Hebrew Bible and carries the meaning of “to wish,” especially in the context of blessing or congratulating someone. It belongs to the Piel binyan (intensive stem), and its root is א־ח־ל. This … Continue reading
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“Then Iyov Answered and Said”: Formulaic Speech Introductions in Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Job 3:2: The Turning Point of Silence into Speech Job 3:2 contains only six Hebrew words, yet it marks a pivotal moment in the literary structure of the book: וַיַּ֥עַן אִיֹּ֗וב וַיֹּאמַֽר׃ — “Then Iyov answered and said.” … Continue reading
“Lacked Nothing in the Wilderness”: Divine Sufficiency and the Verb חָסַר in Deuteronomy 2:7
Introduction to Deuteronomy 2:7: YHWH’s Provision Over Forty Years As Moshe reflects on the long journey through the wilderness, he emphasizes not just the hardships but also the unrelenting provision of YHWH. The closing declaration—לֹ֥א חָסַ֖רְתָּ דָּבָֽר (“you lacked nothing”)—reveals … Continue reading
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“The Seed of Shīḥor”: Analyzing the Construct Chain זֶרַע שִׁחֹר in Isaiah 23:3
Introduction to Isaiah 23:3: Trade and Wealth in Poetic Prophecy Isaiah 23 is a poetic oracle against the city of Tsor (Tyre), a hub of international commerce and maritime influence. In verse 3, the prophet depicts the city’s economic entanglements … Continue reading
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