Category Archives: Grammar

Biblical Hebrew Grammar

To Love Discipline is to Love Knowledge: Analyzing אֹהֵב in Proverbs 12:1

Introduction to Proverbs 12:1: The Affection for Wisdom Proverbs 12:1 presents a sharp contrast between those who love wisdom and those who despise correction. The verb אֹהֵב (ʾōhēv, “loves”) is central to this verse, establishing love as the defining characteristic … Continue reading

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The Rhetorical Question and Parallelism in Job 11:2

Introduction to Job 11:2 Job 11:2 is part of Zophar’s first speech, in which he rebukes Job for his words and insists that Job’s suffering is the result of his sin. The verse employs a rhetorical question and parallel structure, … Continue reading

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Deceptive Weights and Divine Justice: Analyzing מֹאזְנֵי מִרְמָה in Proverbs 11:1

Introduction to Proverbs 11:1: The Scales of Righteousness Proverbs 11:1 presents a powerful moral and theological declaration about honesty in commerce and divine justice. The phrase מֹאזְנֵי מִרְמָה (moznê mirmāh, “deceitful scales”) serves as a metaphor for fraudulent business practices, … Continue reading

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Infinitives, Verbal Parallelism, and Philosophical Irony in Ecclesiastes 10:19

Introduction: Wisdom Discourse and Literary Ambiguity in Qohelet Ecclesiastes 10:19 is a compact yet theologically and grammatically dense aphorism. As with much of Qohelet, its ambiguity is deliberate, and its grammar is tightly structured to allow multiple interpretive layers. The … Continue reading

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Iron, Effort, and Wisdom: Poetic Economy and Syntax in Ecclesiastes 10:10

אִם־קֵהָ֣ה הַבַּרְזֶ֗ל וְהוּא֙ לֹא־פָנִ֣ים קִלְקַ֔ל וַחֲיָלִ֖ים יְגַבֵּ֑ר וְיִתְרֹ֥ון הַכְשֵׁ֖יר חָכְמָֽה׃ Contextual Introduction Ecclesiastes 10:10 presents a metaphor of labor and effort: a dull iron blade, extra exertion, and the wisdom required to succeed. It fits within the broader themes of … Continue reading

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The Joy and Sorrow of a Son: Analyzing יְשַׂמַּח in Proverbs 10:1

Introduction to Proverbs 10:1: Wisdom and Folly in the Household Proverbs 10:1 marks the beginning of a new literary section—the collected sayings of Solomon. This verse presents a stark contrast between wisdom and folly, framed within the parental relationship. The … Continue reading

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The House that Wisdom Built: Analyzing בָּנְתָה in Proverbs 9:1

Introduction to Proverbs 9:1: The Architecture of Wisdom Proverbs 9:1 presents one of the most striking images in biblical poetry—Wisdom, personified as a master architect, building her house with seven pillars. The verb בָּנְתָה (bāntāh), “she has built,” is not … Continue reading

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The Poetic Call of Wisdom: Analyzing תִקְרָא in Proverbs 8:1

Introduction to Proverbs 8:1: When Wisdom Speaks Proverbs 8:1 stands as a grand overture to one of the most elevated poetic personifications in biblical literature—Wisdom (חָכְמָה, ḥokhmāh). Unlike the enticing voice of folly in earlier chapters, here Wisdom herself takes … Continue reading

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The Imperative Verb שְׁמֹר in Proverbs 7:1

Introduction to Proverbs 7:1 Proverbs 7:1 contains a parental exhortation urging the son to heed wisdom and treasure commandments. The verb שְׁמֹר (shemor) is in the imperative form, a common grammatical structure used in Biblical Hebrew for direct commands or … Continue reading

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Syntax, Construct Chains, and Social Commentary in Proverbs 19:6

Introduction: Social Dynamics and Ethical Tension in Wisdom Literature Proverbs 19:6 stands as a sharp observational proverb that captures human behavior in the face of generosity and material gain. The verse is succinct and biting, exposing the relational dynamics shaped … Continue reading

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