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Recent Articles
- Verb–Subject–Object (VSO) Word Order in Biblical Hebrew: Syntax, Style, and Theology
- Perfect and Imperfect Verbs in Biblical Hebrew: Understanding Completed and Ongoing Action
- “Speak What I Speak”: Mirroring Divine Speech in the Septuagint
- Main Clauses: How Independent Clauses Function in Biblical Hebrew
- On the Day YHWH Spoke: Learning Hebrew Narrative Structure in Exodus 6:28
- Two Voices, One Mission: The Syntactic Unity of Aaron and Moshe in Hebrew and Greek
- Pointing Them Out: Hebrew Grammar in Exodus 6:26
- The Construct Chain (סְמִיכוּת) and How It Modifies Nouns in Biblical Hebrew
- Use of Interjections in Biblical Hebrew: Emotion, Syntax, and Exegesis
- Names in Parallel: Coordinated Syntax and the Use of Demonstrative Summary
- Masculine vs. Feminine Endings in Hebrew Verbs and Nouns: Patterns of Gender and Agreement
- Deliverance and Distance: How Hiphil Shapes Rescue in Joshua 6:23
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Category Archives: Grammar
Plural in Biblical Hebrew
Biblical Hebrew employs distinct pluralization patterns that affect nouns, adjectives, pronouns, and verbs. Unlike English, which typically adds “-s” or “-es” to pluralize, Hebrew uses specific endings to denote gender and number. This guide explores the formation, usage, and nuances of plural forms in Biblical Hebrew.
Basic Plural Endings
In Biblical Hebrew, plural forms are created using suffixes that reflect the gender of the noun:
Masculine Plural: The suffix -ים (-im) is used for masculine nouns.
סֵפֶר (sefer) – “book” → סְפָרִים (sefarim) – “books”
מֶלֶךְ (melekh) – “king” → מְלָכִים (melakhim) – “kings”
Feminine Plural: The suffix -וֹת (-ot) is used for feminine nouns.… Learn Hebrew
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Gender in Biblical Hebrew
Biblical Hebrew, like many Semitic languages, is characterized by a grammatical gender system that plays a central role in the structure and interpretation of texts. Understanding gender in Biblical Hebrew is crucial for interpreting Scripture accurately, as it affects nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and verbs. This article explores the function and significance of gender in Biblical Hebrew, providing examples and insights to enhance comprehension.
The Basics of Gender in Biblical Hebrew
In Biblical Hebrew, there are two grammatical genders:
Masculine (זָכָר zakhar): This is considered the default gender and is used when referring to male beings or groups of mixed gender.… Learn Hebrew
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A Quick Guide to Biblical Hebrew Conjunctions: Unlocking the Structure of Scripture
Biblical Hebrew, the primary language of the Old Testament, is a rich and intricate linguistic system that conveys profound theological and narrative meanings. One of the foundational elements of Hebrew grammar is the use of conjunctions, which connect clauses, phrases, or words. These small but powerful tools are crucial for interpreting Scripture with precision and appreciating its literary artistry. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Biblical Hebrew conjunctions, their functions, and their significance in understanding the biblical text.
What Are Conjunctions?… Learn Hebrew
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Forged as One: The Syntax of Apposition and the Niphal Imperfect
וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ מְנֹרַ֖ת זָהָ֣ב טָהֹ֑ור מִקְשָׁ֞ה תֵּעָשֶׂ֤ה הַמְּנֹורָה֙ יְרֵכָ֣הּ וְקָנָ֔הּ גְּבִיעֶ֛יהָ כַּפְתֹּרֶ֥יהָ וּפְרָחֶ֖יהָ מִמֶּ֥נָּה יִהְיֽוּ׃ (Exodus 25:31)
And you shall make a lampstand of pure gold—of hammered work the lampstand shall be made—its base and its shaft, its cups, its knobs, and its blossoms shall be from it.
Introduction: Crafted in Unity
This divine instruction from Exodus 25:31 describes the making of the golden menorah, not merely as a collection of parts, but as a unified, divinely ordained work of art. Hidden within this brief instruction is an elegant demonstration of Hebrew’s syntactic subtlety—particularly the interplay of appositional structure and the passive Niphal imperfect verb תֵּעָשֶׂ֤ה.… Learn Hebrew
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The Echoing Roar: Paronomasia and Double Imperfects in Prophetic Poetry
וְאַתָּה֙ תִּנָּבֵ֣א אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם אֵ֥ת כָּל־הַדְּבָרִ֖ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם יְהוָ֞ה מִמָּרֹ֤ום יִשְׁאָג֙ וּמִמְּעֹ֤ון קָדְשֹׁו֙ יִתֵּ֣ן קֹולֹ֔ו שָׁאֹ֤ג יִשְׁאַג֙ עַל־נָוֵ֔הוּ הֵידָד֙ כְּדֹרְכִ֣ים יַֽעֲנֶ֔ה אֶ֥ל כָּל־יֹשְׁבֵ֖י הָאָֽרֶץ׃ (Jeremiah 25:30)
And you shall prophesy to them all these words, and say to them: “From on high YHWH will roar, and from His holy dwelling He will give forth His voice—He will roar, He will roar against His habitation—shouts like treaders He will respond with, to all the inhabitants of the earth.”
Introduction: Thunder from the Heights
The prophetic vision in Jeremiah 25:30 is a thunderous oracle.… Learn Hebrew
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Matres Lectionis in Biblical Hebrew
Matres lectionis (Latin for “mothers of reading“) refers to a system in which certain Hebrew consonants were used to indicate vowels. This innovation emerged as a response to the need for accurate reading of the biblical text, particularly as the spoken language evolved. The system was pivotal in preserving correct pronunciation and facilitating the reading of sacred texts by later generations.
Explanation of Mater and Matres Lectionis
The term mater lectionis (singular) refers to one specific consonantal letter used as a vowel marker.… Learn Hebrew
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Vocative Particles and Poetic Judgments in Isaiah 28:1
Introduction to Isaiah 28:1: A Woe Upon Ephraim
Isaiah 28:1 begins a poetic and prophetic denunciation of the northern kingdom of Israel, referred to here as אֶפְרַ֔יִם. The verse opens with the interjection הֹ֗וי, a literary vocative particle that introduces oracles of woe, lament, or denunciation. This lesson will focus on the use of vocative particles in prophetic speech, particularly הוֹי, and its role in structuring poetic judgment. We will explore how this small but potent word functions grammatically, rhetorically, and thematically in Hebrew prophecy.… Learn Hebrew
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Comparison of Biblical Hebrew and Mishnaic Hebrew
The Hebrew language is a living bridge connecting the ancient past to the vibrant present, a testament to the enduring legacy of the Jewish people. At the heart of this linguistic journey are two remarkable stages: Biblical Hebrew, the sacred tongue of the Hebrew Bible, and Mishnaic Hebrew, the dynamic language of the rabbinic sages. While both share a common ancestry, they reflect vastly different worlds—one of prophets and kings, the other of scholars and lawmakers.
Biblical Hebrew echoes with the grandeur of creation, the thunder of prophecy, and the poetry of Psalms.… Learn Hebrew
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Hebrew in the Context of Semitic Languages
The Hebrew language holds a significant place within the Semitic language family, which includes notable members such as Aramaic, Akkadian, and Arabic. As the language of the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) and a cornerstone of Jewish heritage, Hebrew offers a fascinating lens through which to explore the interconnectedness of ancient Semitic cultures. Beyond its religious and historical importance, Hebrew also reflects linguistic features that reveal its deep-rooted connections to other Semitic languages.
The Semitic Language Family
Semitic languages are a branch of the larger Afro-Asiatic language family, which includes Egyptian, Berber, and Chadic languages.… Learn Hebrew
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Why Study Hebrew: Unlocking the Language of the Bible
The Hebrew language is more than just a tool for communication; it is a gateway to understanding the depths of the Bible, the history of the Jewish people, and the roots of Western civilization. Studying Hebrew offers profound rewards, from gaining insight into the sacred texts to connecting with a rich cultural and spiritual heritage. Here’s why learning Hebrew is a journey worth taking.
1. Understand the Bible in Its Original Language
The Hebrew Bible, or Tanakh, was written in Biblical Hebrew, a language rich with nuance and depth.… Learn Hebrew
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