Category Archives: Grammar

Biblical Hebrew Grammar

“Tie It Around Your Neck”: The Imperative קָשְׁרֵ֥ם and Internalizing Loyalty and Truth in Proverbs 3:3

Introduction to Proverbs 3:3: Where Character Becomes Ornament In Proverbs 3:3, the speaker urges the hearer to take hold of two foundational virtues: חֶ֥סֶד (loyal love) and אֱמֶ֗ת (truth/faithfulness). These qualities are personified and then treated like precious objects—meant to … Continue reading

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Parallelism and Metaphor in Joel 2:2

Introduction to Joel 2:2 Joel 2:2 is part of a prophetic passage describing the Day of the LORD—a time of judgment and calamity. The verse employs parallelism and metaphorical imagery to depict the darkness and devastation that accompany divine judgment. … Continue reading

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“The Grammar of Hiding Treasure”: The Verb תִּצְפֹּ֥ן in Proverbs 2:1

Introduction to Proverbs 2:1: Wisdom as a Stored Inheritance Proverbs 2:1 opens a conditional exhortation from a father to his son, a structure common to wisdom literature. The verse emphasizes the receptive posture necessary for wisdom, and it centers on … Continue reading

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“How Can I Bear Alone?”: Analyzing אֵיכָ֥ה אֶשָּׂ֖א לְבַדִּ֑י in Deuteronomy 1:12

Introduction to Deuteronomy 1:12: Moses’ Burden of Leadership In Deuteronomy 1:12, Moses recounts to the new generation of Israelites the difficulties he experienced in leading the people alone. The key rhetorical expression אֵיכָ֥ה אֶשָּׂ֖א לְבַדִּ֑י—“How can I bear [it] alone?”—employs … Continue reading

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“Why Does the Way of the Wicked Prosper?”: Analyzing מַדּוּעַ דֶּרֶךְ רְשָׁעִים צָלֵחָה in Jeremiah 12:1

Introduction to Jeremiah 12:1: A Prophet’s Theological Complaint Jeremiah 12:1 begins a unique prophetic lament in which the prophet directly challenges divine justice. Despite affirming the righteousness of YHWH, Jeremiah boldly raises a question of moral perplexity: מַדּוּעַ דֶּרֶךְ רְשָׁעִים … Continue reading

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“The Word That Came”: Analyzing דְּבַר־יְהוָה in Jeremiah 11:1

Introduction to Jeremiah 11:1: A Superscription of Divine Authority Jeremiah 11:1 introduces a new oracle with the recurring prophetic formula: הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר הָיָה אֶל־יִרְמְיָהוּ מֵאֵת יְהוָה. Though succinct, this clause is deeply significant. It not only establishes the divine origin … Continue reading

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“Hear the Word”: Analyzing שִׁמְע֣וּ in Jeremiah 10:1

Introduction to Jeremiah 10:1: Prophetic Appeal to the House of Yisra’el Jeremiah 10:1 begins a new section of prophetic address with a commanding call to attention: שִׁמְע֣וּ אֶת־הַדָּבָר (“Hear the word”). This is a formulaic opening found in various prophetic … Continue reading

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“Oh, That My Head Were Water!”: Analyzing מִי־יִתֵּן in Jeremiah 9:1

Introduction to Jeremiah 9:1: The Prophet’s Lament in Optative Form Jeremiah 9:1 opens with one of the most intense laments in prophetic literature. The prophet cries out in deep grief over the slain of his people, expressing an uncontainable desire … Continue reading

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“Then They Will Bring Out the Bones”: Analyzing וְהֹוצִיאוּ in Jeremiah 8:1

Introduction to Jeremiah 8:1: Desecration as Judgment Symbol Jeremiah 8:1 begins a chilling oracle of judgment, declaring that even the honored dead—kings, priests, prophets, and residents of Yerushalayim—will be disinterred from their graves. The key verb in this verse, וְהֹוצִיאוּ … Continue reading

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“The Word That Came to Yirmeyahu”: Analyzing הַדָּבָר…לֵאמֹר in Jeremiah 7:1

Introduction to Jeremiah 7:1: The Formal Superscription of Prophetic Speech Jeremiah 7:1 opens a new unit of prophecy, famously known as the “Temple Sermon.” The verse uses a standard formula to introduce divine speech: הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר הָיָה אֶל־יִרְמְיָהוּ מֵאֵת יְהוָה … Continue reading

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