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Recent Articles
- “Dust to Boils”: A Hebrew Lesson on Exodus 9:9
- At Ḥoreb: A Hebrew Lesson on Deuteronomy 9:8
- Imperatives, Atonement, and Obedience Formula in Leviticus 9:7
- Poetic Justice and Syntax in Genesis 9:6
- How the Verb Murders: Violence and Verbal Stems in Judges 9:5
- Negation, Emphasis, and Syntax in Genesis 9:4
- Nominal Clauses and Enumerations in Exodus 9:3
- Fear, Dominion, and Syntax: A Grammar Lesson from Genesis 9:2
- “And Job Answered and Said”: A Hebrew Lesson on Job 9:1
- Syntax of Covenant Obedience: The Altar of Uncut Stones in Joshua 8:31
- Unlock the Secrets of the Tanakh: Why Hebrew Morphology is the Key
- The Poetics of Verbal Repetition in Proverbs 8:30
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Category Archives: Grammar
The Prophetic Use of the Participle and the Structure of Divine Judgment in Micah 2:3
Introduction to Micah 2:3
Micah 2:3 occurs in a judgment oracle against Israel’s wealthy oppressors. The verse contains a divine pronouncement, using the participle חֹשֵׁב (“planning”) to describe YHWH’s active intent to bring disaster upon the unjust. The prophetic formula “כֹּ֚ה אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה” (“Thus says YHWH”) introduces a decree of irreversible judgment, while the negation לֹֽא־תָמִ֨ישׁוּ (“you will not remove”) emphasizes the inescapable nature of the punishment.
This study will analyze the participial form, the grammatical function of negation, and the prophetic structure of divine retribution.… Learn Hebrew
The Construct Chain in 2 Chronicles 35:3
2 Chronicles 35:3 in Hebrew:
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לַ֠לְוִיִּם המבונים לְכָל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל הַקְּדֹושִׁ֣ים לַיהוָ֗ה תְּנ֤וּ אֶת־אֲרֹון־הַקֹּ֨דֶשׁ֙ בַּ֠בַּיִת אֲשֶׁ֨ר בָּנָ֜ה שְׁלֹמֹ֤ה בֶן־דָּוִיד֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֵין־לָכֶ֥ם מַשָּׂ֖א בַּכָּתֵ֑ף עַתָּ֗ה עִבְדוּ֙ אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם וְאֵ֖ת עַמֹּ֥ו יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
Introduction to the Verse
The construct chain (סְמִיכוּת) is a fundamental feature of Biblical Hebrew syntax, expressing possession, description, or relationships between two or more nouns. It consists of a sequence where the first noun (the construct form) is linked to the second noun (the absolute form), often functioning as a genitive phrase.… Learn Hebrew
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The Use of Construct Chains in Job 1:3
Job 1:3 in Hebrew
וַיְהִ֣י מִ֠קְנֵהוּ שִֽׁבְעַ֨ת אַלְפֵי־צֹ֜אן וּשְׁלֹ֧שֶׁת אַלְפֵ֣י גְמַלִּ֗ים וַחֲמֵ֨שׁ מֵאֹ֤ות צֶֽמֶד־בָּקָר֙ וַחֲמֵ֣שׁ מֵאֹ֣ות אֲתֹונֹ֔ות וַעֲבֻדָּ֖ה רַבָּ֣ה מְאֹ֑ד וַיְהִי֙ הָאִ֣ישׁ הַה֔וּא גָּדֹ֖ול מִכָּל־בְּנֵי־קֶֽדֶם׃
Introduction to the Verse
Job 1:3 describes Job’s great wealth in terms of livestock and servants, using several construct chains to show possession and quantity. A key grammatical feature in this verse is the use of the construct state, where multiple words are linked together to form a single idea.
Understanding Construct Chains in Biblical Hebrew
1.… Learn Hebrew
The Use of Cohortative and Jussive Forms in Genesis 11:3
Genesis 11:3 in Hebrew
וַיֹּאמְר֞וּ אִ֣ישׁ אֶל־רֵעֵ֗הוּ הָ֚בָה נִלְבְּנָ֣ה לְבֵנִ֔ים וְנִשְׂרְפָ֖ה לִשְׂרֵפָ֑ה וַתְּהִ֨י לָהֶ֤ם הַלְּבֵנָה֙ לְאָ֔בֶן וְהַ֣חֵמָ֔ר הָיָ֥ה לָהֶ֖ם לַחֹֽמֶר׃
Introduction to the Verse
Genesis 11:3 describes the conversation of the people as they prepared to build the Tower of Babel. This verse contains cohortative and jussive verb forms, which are significant for understanding the mood of command, encouragement, and collective action.
Understanding the Cohortative and Jussive Forms
1. What is the Cohortative?
– The cohortative is a first-person verb form in Biblical Hebrew that expresses intent, encouragement, or self-motivation.… Learn Hebrew
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The Use of the Hiphil Stem in Ecclesiastes 7:7
Ecclesiastes 7:7 in Hebrew
כִּ֥י הָעֹ֖שֶׁק יְהֹולֵ֣ל חָכָ֑ם וִֽיאַבֵּ֥ד אֶת־לֵ֖ב מַתָּנָֽה׃
Introduction to the Verse
Ecclesiastes 7:7 presents a statement about the corrupting influence of oppression and bribery. A key grammatical feature in this verse is the Hiphil verbal stem, which appears in the verbs יְהֹולֵ֣ל (yəhōlēl) and יַאֲבֵּ֥ד (yaʾabbed).
Understanding the Hiphil Stem
1. What is the Hiphil Stem?
– The Hiphil is one of the seven binyanim (verbal stems) in Biblical Hebrew.
– It typically conveys causative action, meaning that one subject causes another to act in a certain way.… Learn Hebrew
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The Use of the Cohortative Verb in Job 31:1
Job 31:1 in Hebrew
בְּ֭רִית כָּרַ֣תִּי לְעֵינָ֑י וּמָ֥ה אֶ֝תְבֹּונֵ֗ן עַל־בְּתוּלָֽה׃
Introduction to the Verse
Job 31:1 contains an example of a cohortative verb, which expresses desire, intention, or resolve. The key verb to examine is אֶתְבֹּונֵן (ʾetbōnēn), which appears in the cohortative form.
Understanding the Cohortative Form
1. Definition of the Cohortative
– The cohortative is a first-person verb form used to express intent, desire, determination, or self-motivation.
– It is common in prayers, personal declarations, and resolutions in the Hebrew Bible.… Learn Hebrew
The Meaning of כְּבֹ֣ד אֱ֭לֹהִים הַסְתֵּ֣ר דָּבָ֑ר in Proverbs 25:2
Proverbs 25:2 in Hebrew
כְּבֹ֣ד אֱ֭לֹהִים הַסְתֵּ֣ר דָּבָ֑ר וּכְבֹ֥ד מְ֝לָכִ֗ים חֲקֹ֣ר דָּבָֽר׃
Introduction to the Verse
Proverbs 25:2 presents a contrast between divine and royal wisdom, highlighting the nature of hidden and revealed knowledge. The verse states:
כְּבֹ֣ד אֱ֭לֹהִים הַסְתֵּ֣ר דָּבָ֑ר – “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter.”
וּכְבֹ֥ד מְ֝לָכִ֗ים חֲקֹ֣ר דָּבָֽר – “But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.”
A key phrase in this verse is כְּבֹ֣ד אֱ֭לֹהִים (kəvōd ʾĕlōhīm), which highlights the difference between divine wisdom and human governance.… Learn Hebrew
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The Meaning of הָעֹלִים מִשְּׁבִי הַגֹּולָה in Ezra 2:1
Ezra 2:1 in Hebrew
וְאֵ֣לֶּה בְּנֵ֣י הַמְּדִינָ֗ה הָֽעֹלִים֙ מִשְּׁבִ֣י הַגֹּולָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶגְלָ֛ה נבוכדנצור מֶֽלֶךְ־בָּבֶ֖ל לְבָבֶ֑ל וַיָּשׁ֛וּבוּ לִירוּשָׁלִַ֥ם וִֽיהוּדָ֖ה אִ֥ישׁ לְעִירֹֽו׃
Introduction to the Verse
Ezra 2:1 introduces the list of Israelites returning from exile, emphasizing the fulfillment of divine restoration. The verse states:
וְאֵ֣לֶּה בְּנֵ֣י הַמְּדִינָ֗ה – “And these are the people of the province.”
הָֽעֹלִים֙ מִשְּׁבִ֣י הַגֹּולָ֔ה – “Who came up from the captivity of the exile.”
אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶגְלָ֛ה נבוכדנצור מֶֽלֶךְ־בָּבֶ֖ל – “Whom Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babel, had exiled.”
A key phrase in this verse is הָעֹלִים מִשְּׁבִי הַגֹּולָה (haʿolim mišebi haggōlah), which highlights the significance of returning from Babylonian exile.… Learn Hebrew
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The Meaning of יְהוָ֥ה אֶחָֽד in Deuteronomy 6:4
Deuteronomy 6:4 in Hebrew
שְׁמַ֖ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ יְהוָ֥ה אֶחָֽד׃
Introduction to the Verse
Deuteronomy 6:4 is one of the most foundational verses in the Torah, known as the Shema. It declares the absolute unity and exclusivity of YHWH in Israelite faith. The verse states:
שְׁמַ֖ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל – “Hear, Yisra’el.”
יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ – “YHWH is our God.”
יְהוָ֥ה אֶחָֽד – “YHWH is one.”
A key phrase in this verse is יְהוָ֥ה אֶחָֽד (YHWH eḥad), which is crucial for understanding biblical monotheism.… Learn Hebrew
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Common Endings and Patterns of Gender of Nouns in Biblical Hebrew
In Biblical Hebrew, nouns are generally categorized as either masculine or feminine. Unlike English, where gender is typically limited to pronouns and animate beings, Hebrew assigns gender even to inanimate objects, abstract concepts, and grammatical structures. Understanding the gender of nouns is crucial for proper agreement with verbs, adjectives, and pronouns.
The gender of a Hebrew noun can often be predicted based on its ending and structure, though there are numerous exceptions. This article explores the common endings and patterns that determine a noun’s gender in Biblical Hebrew, as well as some notable irregularities.… Learn Hebrew
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