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Recent Articles
- 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
- Syntax of the Wave Offering: Moses and the Breast Portion in Leviticus 8:29
- Firm Skies and Deep Springs: Grammar in Proverbs 8:28
- Only the Spoil: A Hebrew Lesson on Joshua 8:27
- Binyanim Under Pressure: Exodus 8:26
- When Service Ends: A Hebrew Lesson on Numbers 8:25
- Consecration Through Syntax: The Priestly Ritual in Leviticus 8:24
- “A Three-Day Journey”: The Syntax of Volition and Deixis in Exodus According to Targum Onkelos
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Category Archives: Grammar
The Plural of the Noun in Biblical Hebrew
In Biblical Hebrew, pluralization is a fundamental aspect of grammar that influences the form and function of nouns, adjectives, and verbs. Unlike English, which typically adds -s or -es to create plurals, Biblical Hebrew employs specific suffixes that vary depending on the gender of the noun. Understanding these patterns is essential for accurate reading and interpretation of the Hebrew Bible.
1. Basic Plural Endings in Biblical Hebrew
Nouns in Biblical Hebrew are generally pluralized by adding specific suffixes that correspond to their gender.… Learn Hebrew
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The Verb in Biblical Hebrew
The verb is the cornerstone of Biblical Hebrew grammar, serving as the primary component in conveying action, state, and time. Unlike English, which relies heavily on word order, Biblical Hebrew expresses meaning through verb conjugations that indicate tense, aspect, mood, gender, number, and person. This guide explores the structure, patterns, and functions of verbs in Biblical Hebrew, providing essential insights for understanding and interpreting the Hebrew Bible.
1. The Root System in Biblical Hebrew Verbs
At the heart of every Biblical Hebrew verb lies a root, typically composed of three consonants, known as a triliteral root.… Learn Hebrew
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The Use of the Masculine Plural in Biblical Hebrew
In Biblical Hebrew, the masculine plural plays a critical role in the language’s grammatical structure. It affects not only nouns but also adjectives, pronouns, and verbs, influencing how sentences are constructed and interpreted. This guide explores the formation, usage, and significance of the masculine plural in Biblical Hebrew, highlighting key examples and grammatical rules.
Forming the Masculine Plural in Biblical Hebrew
The masculine plural is typically formed by adding the suffix -ים (-im) to the singular form of a masculine noun.… Learn Hebrew
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The Definite and Indefinite Article in Biblical Hebrew
In Biblical Hebrew, understanding how definiteness and indefiniteness are expressed is crucial for accurate interpretation and translation. Unlike English, which uses both definite (the) and indefinite (a, an) articles, Biblical Hebrew employs a different system. This guide explores how definiteness and indefiniteness are conveyed in Biblical Hebrew, with examples and explanations.
The Definite Article in Biblical Hebrew
Biblical Hebrew has a definite article equivalent to the English word the. It is represented by the prefix הַ (ha-), which is attached directly to the beginning of the noun.… Learn Hebrew
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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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The Grammatical Role of בֵּן (“Son of”) in Biblical Hebrew Genealogies
In Biblical Hebrew genealogies, the word בֵּן (“son”) serves not only as a biological term but as a grammatical linchpin that structures lineage, identity, and covenantal memory. Derived from the root ב־נ־ה (“to build”), בֵּן appears in construct form (בֶּן־) to link individuals across generations (e.g., “X son of Y”), forming extended chains like בֹּעַז בֶּן־שַׂלְמוֹן בֶּן־נַחְשׁוֹן. It also appears in plural (בָּנִים) and construct plural (בְּנֵי־) forms to denote collective descent or tribal affiliation (e.g., בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל). Beyond literal genealogy, בֵּן functions metaphorically to express moral, ethnic, or theological categories—such as “sons of Belial” or “sons of the living God.”… Learn Hebrew
Cohesion and Coherence in Prophetic Discourse: The Linguistic Fabric of Biblical Hebrew Prophecy
Prophetic discourse in the Hebrew Bible achieves unity not through linear narrative but through intricate patterns of cohesion and coherence. Lexical repetition, especially of key roots like שׁוּב (“return”) or מִשְׁפָט (“justice”), creates thematic continuity across oracles. Grammatical cohesion is maintained through pronouns, conjunctions, and waw-consecutive forms that link clauses and transitions. Coherence emerges from theological and rhetorical progression—often moving from sin to judgment to hope—and is reinforced by discourse markers like כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה and לָכֵן. Poetic structures such as parallelism and chiasm, along with extended metaphors (e.g.,… 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.
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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