Category Archives: Grammar

Biblical Hebrew Grammar

“She Has Played the Harlot”: Analyzing זָנְתָה in Hosea 2:7

Introduction to Hosea 2:7: The Language of Infidelity and Rebellion In Hosea 2:7, the prophet presents a startling accusation against Israel in the form of familial metaphor: “for their mother has played the harlot”. The verb זָנְתָה, drawn from the … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar | Tagged , | Comments Off on “She Has Played the Harlot”: Analyzing זָנְתָה in Hosea 2:7

Joshua 20:6 – Temporal Clauses with עַד and Legal Conditional Structure

וְיָשַׁ֣ב בָּעִ֣יר הַהִ֗יא עַד־עָמְדֹ֞ו לִפְנֵ֤י הָעֵדָה֙ לַמִּשְׁפָּ֔ט עַד־מֹות֙ הַכֹּהֵ֣ן הַגָּדֹ֔ול אֲשֶׁ֥ר יִהְיֶ֖ה בַּיָּמִ֣ים הָהֵ֑ם אָ֣ז יָשׁ֣וּב הָרֹצֵ֗חַ וּבָ֤א אֶל־עִירֹו֙ וְאֶל־בֵּיתֹ֔ו אֶל־הָעִ֖יר אֲשֶׁר־נָ֥ס מִשָּֽׁם׃ And he shall dwell in that city until he stands before the congregation Read more […]

Posted in Grammar | Tagged | Comments Off on Joshua 20:6 – Temporal Clauses with עַד and Legal Conditional Structure

“Turn Away, Unclean!”: Analyzing ס֤וּרוּ… ס֨וּרוּ in Lamentations 4:15

Introduction to Lamentations 4:15: Public Shame and Ritual Defilement This verse from Lamentations 4:15 depicts the depth of Jerusalem’s humiliation after the Babylonian destruction. The once-honored people of YHWH are now driven away with the cry ס֣וּרוּ טָמֵ֞א—“Turn aside! Unclean!” … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar, Theology | Tagged , | Comments Off on “Turn Away, Unclean!”: Analyzing ס֤וּרוּ… ס֨וּרוּ in Lamentations 4:15

Clothed in Protest: Syntax, Royal Space, and Social Boundaries in Esther 4:2

וַיָּבֹ֕וא עַ֖ד לִפְנֵ֣י שַֽׁעַר־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ כִּ֣י אֵ֥ין לָבֹ֛וא אֶל־שַׁ֥עַר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ בִּלְב֥וּשׁ שָֽׂק׃ Contextual Introduction Esther 4:2 describes Mordokhai’s public mourning following the edict to destroy the Jews. Having clothed himself in sackcloth and ashes, he approaches the king’s gate but does … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar | Tagged | Comments Off on Clothed in Protest: Syntax, Royal Space, and Social Boundaries in Esther 4:2

The God Who Enters the Dream: Analyzing וַיָּבֹא in Genesis 20:3

Introduction to Genesis 20:3: Divine Encounter in the Night Genesis 20:3 records a striking moment in the story of Abraham and Abimelek, when God directly intervenes by appearing to Abimelek in a dream. The verse begins with the verb וַיָּבֹא … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar | Tagged , | Comments Off on The God Who Enters the Dream: Analyzing וַיָּבֹא in Genesis 20:3

Burning Cities and Captive Kin: The Syntax and Semantics of 1 Samuel 30:3

וַיָּבֹ֨א דָוִ֤ד וַֽאֲנָשָׁיו֙ אֶל־הָעִ֔יר וְהִנֵּ֥ה שְׂרוּפָ֖ה בָּאֵ֑שׁ וּנְשֵׁיהֶ֛ם וּבְנֵיהֶ֥ם וּבְנֹתֵיהֶ֖ם נִשְׁבּֽוּ׃ Contextual Introduction 1 Samuel 30:3 narrates the devastating moment when דָוִד and his men return to their temporary base at צִקְלָג only to find it burned by the Amalekites … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar | Tagged | Comments Off on Burning Cities and Captive Kin: The Syntax and Semantics of 1 Samuel 30:3

The Conditional Clause and Rhetorical Comparison in Ecclesiastes 6:3

Introduction to Ecclesiastes 6:3 Ecclesiastes 6:3 presents a hypothetical scenario emphasizing the futility of a long life and many children without true satisfaction. The conditional clause beginning with אִם (“if”) sets up a hypothetical situation, while the rhetorical comparison with … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar | Comments Off on The Conditional Clause and Rhetorical Comparison in Ecclesiastes 6:3

Future-Oriented Cohortatives and Possessive Exclusion in Nehemiah 2:2

Introduction to Nehemiah 2:20: Grammar of Resolve and Boundary-Setting In the face of opposition from adversaries like Sanballat, Toviyah, and Geshem, Neḥemyah declares a theological and communal statement of purpose. This verse is a stunning example of how Hebrew employs … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar | Tagged | Comments Off on Future-Oriented Cohortatives and Possessive Exclusion in Nehemiah 2:2

Sojourning Between Worlds: Analyzing וַיָּגָר in Genesis 20:1

Introduction to Genesis 20:1: Abraham’s Movement into Foreign Territory Genesis 20:1 opens a new episode in the Abrahamic narrative, depicting his movement toward the Negev region and his temporary residence in Gerar, the Philistine territory ruled by Abimelek. The key … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar | Tagged , | Comments Off on Sojourning Between Worlds: Analyzing וַיָּגָר in Genesis 20:1

The Answering Voice: Analyzing וַיַּעַן in Job 20:1

Introduction to Job 20:1: The Structure of Dialogue Job 20:1 introduces the second speech of Ṣofar the Naʿamatite, one of Job’s three interlocutors. The verb וַיַּעַן (vayyaʿan), meaning “and he answered”, is a standard formula in biblical dialogue, particularly in … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar | Tagged , | Comments Off on The Answering Voice: Analyzing וַיַּעַן in Job 20:1