Category Archives: Grammar

Biblical Hebrew Grammar

Wayyiqtol Verbs and Royal Death Formulae in 1 Kings 2:10

Introduction: Death and Dynastic Transition in the Deuteronomistic History 1 Kings 2:10 marks the conclusion of King David’s life and the formal transition to Solomon’s reign. The verse reads: וַיִּשְׁכַּ֥ב דָּוִ֖ד עִם־אֲבֹתָ֑יו וַיִּקָּבֵ֖ר בְּעִ֥יר דָּוִֽד׃ And David lay with his … Continue reading

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Exodus 24:2 – Verb Conjugation: Yiqtol vs. Wayyiqtol and Contrastive Negation

וְנִגַּ֨שׁ מֹשֶׁ֤ה לְבַדֹּו֙ אֶל־יְהוָ֔ה וְהֵ֖ם לֹ֣א יִגָּ֑שׁוּ וְהָעָ֕ם לֹ֥א יַעֲל֖וּ עִמֹּֽו׃ And Moshe shall approach alone to YHWH, but they shall not approach, and the people shall not go up with him. Explanation of Feature In Exodus 24:2, the contrast … Continue reading

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“I the LORD Have Spoken and Will Do It”: Verbal Paradox and Divine Reversal in Ezekiel 17:24

Introduction to Ezekiel 17:24: Prophecy of Reversal and Sovereignty In Ezekiel 17:24, YHWH concludes a prophetic parable by asserting His absolute sovereignty over history and nature. Through a series of antithetical verb pairs, the verse declares that YHWH humbles the … Continue reading

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Stirring the Spirit of a King: Temporal Clauses, Infinitives, and Divine Causation in Ezra 1:1

וּבִשְׁנַ֣ת אַחַ֗ת לְכֹ֨ורֶשׁ֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ פָּרַ֔ס לִכְלֹ֥ות דְּבַר־יְהוָ֖ה מִפִּ֣י יִרְמְיָ֑ה הֵעִ֣יר יְהוָ֗ה אֶת־ר֨וּחַ֙ כֹּ֣רֶשׁ מֶֽלֶךְ־פָּרַ֔ס וַיַּֽעֲבֶר־קֹול֙ בְּכָל־מַלְכוּתֹ֔ו וְגַם־בְּמִכְתָּ֖ב לֵאמֹֽר׃ Contextual Introduction Ezra 1:1 begins the historical account of Israel’s return from exile under Read more […]

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“These Are the Heads of the Priests”: Apposition and Leadership Lists in Neḥemyah 12:7

Introduction to Neḥemyah 12:7: Structuring Authority Through Syntactic Chains Neḥemyah 12:7 is part of a carefully preserved genealogical and administrative record. These priestly lists served to validate religious authority and temple function during the post-exilic period. The phrase אֵ֣לֶּה רָאשֵׁ֧י … Continue reading

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“Efrayim Feeds the Wind”: Kinetic Verbs and Prophetic Irony in Hosea 12:2

Introduction to Hosea 12:2: Motion Without Meaning Hosea 12:2 presents a poetic and theological critique of Efrayim through a series of verbs describing restless motion and political treachery. The verse’s central metaphor—feeding the wind—highlights the futility of idolatrous pursuits and foreign alliances. … Continue reading

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Priestly Power and Divine Favor: Imperatives and Jussives in Deuteronomy 33:11

Deuteronomy 33:11 בָּרֵ֤ךְ יְהוָה֙ חֵילֹ֔ו וּפֹ֥עַל יָדָ֖יו תִּרְצֶ֑ה מְחַ֨ץ מָתְנַ֧יִם קָמָ֛יו וּמְשַׂנְאָ֖יו מִן־יְקוּמֽוּן׃ Blessing and Favor: בָּרֵךְ יְהוָה חֵילֹו בָּרֵךְ (“bless!”) is a Qal imperative 2ms of ב־ר־ך (“to bless”), directed toward יְהוָה, making this a prayer or appeal rather than … Continue reading

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Grammatical-Theological Analysis of Jeremiah 23:11

כִּֽי־גַם־נָבִ֥יא גַם־כֹּהֵ֖ן חָנֵ֑פוּ גַּם־בְּבֵיתִ֛י מָצָ֥אתִי רָעָתָ֖ם נְאֻם־יְהוָֽה׃ 1. Intensification through Repetition and Syntax The verse opens with כִּֽי־גַם־נָבִ֥יא גַם־כֹּהֵ֖ן—“For both prophet and priest.” The repetition of גַם (“also” or “even”) is not casual but emphatic. It intensifies the indictment, emphasizing … Continue reading

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The Legal Warrior: Role of the Participial גֹאֵל in Proverbs 23:11

כִּֽי־גֹאֲלָ֥ם חָזָ֑ק הֽוּא־יָרִ֖יב אֶת־רִיבָ֣ם אִתָּֽךְ׃ Proverbs 23:11 contains a short but weighty statement about divine justice. It warns against oppressing the weak by appealing to the presence of a powerful גֹאֵל—a kinsman-redeemer or legal advocate. But the grammar reveals more … Continue reading

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“When Yisra’el Was a Youth, I Loved Him”: Temporal Syntax and Divine Calling in Hosea 11:1

Introduction to Hosea 11:1: Divine Affection and Historical Memory Hosea 11:1 opens a new poetic unit where YHWH, in the first person, recalls His loving relationship with Yisra’el. The verse combines temporal clause structure, an emotional perfect verb (אָהַב), and … Continue reading

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