In Biblical Hebrew, cardinal numbers aren’t just quantitative—they’re grammatically expressive. Numbers 1 and 2 agree straightforwardly with their nouns, but those from 3–10 flip the expected gender, pairing masculine numerals with feminine nouns and vice versa, creating a polarity that demands syntactic finesse. These mid-range numbers also shift into construct forms (e.g., שְׁלֹשֶׁת) when governing a genitive, with definiteness transmitted not by the numeral but by the noun it precedes. The placement of numerals varies too—“one star” might follow the noun for emphasis, while “ten plagues” fronts it with plural formality. Each number participates in an intricate grammatical dance, encoding definiteness, gender, and relational structure, proving that in Biblical Hebrew, counting is never just counting.
Cardinal numbers in Biblical Hebrew (e.g., אֶחָד “one,” שְׁנַיִם “two,” שָׁלוֹשׁ “three”) are used for counting and quantifying nouns. Their agreement patterns are distinct and sometimes counterintuitive, especially between numbers 3–10.
Agreement Patterns and Gender
Cardinal numbers interact with the gender of the noun they quantify, but not always in the expected way:
| Numeral | Noun Gender | Example | Translation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (אֶחָד / אַחַת) | Matches noun | דֶּרֶךְ אַחַת | “One way” | Regular gender agreement |
| 2 (שְׁנַיִם / שְׁתַּיִם) | Matches noun | שְׁנֵי אֲנָשִׁים | “Two men” | Also shows construct form (שְׁנֵי) |
| 3–10 | Polarity: opposite gender | שְׁלוֹשׁ נָשִׁים | “Three women” | Masculine numeral with feminine noun |
| 11+ | Normal agreement resumes | שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂר אֲנָשִׁים | “Twelve men” | Gender agreement restored |
Construct Forms of Cardinals
Cardinal numbers 3–10 take special construct forms when governing a genitive noun. These forms differ in spelling and vowel patterns.
- שְׁלֹשָׁה אֲנָשִׁים — “three men” (absolute form)
- שְׁלֹשֶׁת הָאֲנָשִׁים — “the three men” (construct form, definite via second noun)
Key rules:
- Definiteness is determined by the second noun in the chain.
- The numeral itself does not receive the definite article.
Definiteness and Plurality
A common feature in cardinal constructions:
- The noun following the number is usually in the plural.
- Definiteness is conveyed by the second noun, not the numeral.
Example:
- שִׁבְעַת הַכֹּהֲנִים — “the seven priests”
Here, the numeral (שִׁבְעַת) is in construct, and definiteness comes from הַכֹּהֲנִים.
Word Order in Cardinal Phrases
Word order varies depending on the type of cardinal phrase:
- For numbers 3–10, the usual order is Numeral + Plural Noun
- For construct phrases, the order becomes Construct Numeral + Definite Noun
- For number 1, the numeral often follows the noun
Examples:
- עֶשֶׂר מַכּוֹת — “ten plagues”
- אֶרֶץ אַחַת — “one land”
Cardinal Numbers as Adjectives
Numbers function as adjectives in certain structures. For example, the numeral agrees with the noun’s gender and is placed after the noun.
Example:
- כּוֹכָב אֶחָד — “one star”
This use is typical of 1 and 2, and sometimes appears in poetic or emphatic settings with higher numbers.
When Numbers Speak Grammar
Cardinal numbers in Biblical Hebrew reflect a complex but systematic agreement structure. Gender polarity in the mid-range numbers, construct chain mechanics, and definiteness rules all contribute to their syntactic richness. Far from being simple labels for quantity, Hebrew numbers are grammatical actors that shape the structure of phrases and the logic of meaning.
