Category Archives: Grammar

Biblical Hebrew Grammar

From Judgment to Kingship: Verb Sequences and Eschatological Hope in Obadiah 1:21

Obadiah 1:21 וְעָל֤וּ מֹושִׁעִים֙ בְּהַ֣ר צִיֹּ֔ון לִשְׁפֹּ֖ט אֶת־הַ֣ר עֵשָׂ֑ו וְהָיְתָ֥ה לַיהוָ֖ה הַמְּלוּכָֽה׃ Rising of the Deliverers: וְעָלוּ מֹושִׁעִים בְּהַר צִיּוֹן וְעָלוּ (“and they shall ascend”) is a Qal perfect 3mp of ע־ל־ה with וְ as a narrative connector. This may … Continue reading

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The Construct Chain and Noun Phrase Syntax in Jeremiah 1:1

Introduction to Jeremiah 1:1 Jeremiah 1:1 introduces the prophetic book by identifying the prophet’s lineage, his priestly background, and his geographic origin. The verse employs construct chains (סְמִיכוּת), a common feature in Biblical Hebrew used to express relationships between nouns. … Continue reading

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“To Do in the Land”: Analyzing לַעֲשֹׂות in Deuteronomy 12:1

Introduction to Deuteronomy 12:1: Obedience and Covenant Geography Deuteronomy 12:1 serves as a formal introduction to a new legal section in the book, transitioning from general covenant exhortations to specific cultic and social regulations. Central to this introductory verse is … Continue reading

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Divine Hiddenness and Reflexive Syntax in Isaiah 64:6: Grammar of Abandonment

Introduction: Lament, Agency, and Theological Crisis in Exilic Prayer Isaiah 64 is a communal lament expressing deep anguish over Israel’s estrangement from YHWH. Verse 6 (English: v.7) articulates both divine silence and human inability. The verse reads: וְאֵין־קֹורֵ֣א בְשִׁמְךָ֔ מִתְעֹורֵ֖ר … Continue reading

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“And You Shall Love”: Analyzing וְאָהַבְתָּ in Deuteronomy 11:1

Introduction to Deuteronomy 11:1: Love as Covenant Loyalty Deuteronomy 11:1 opens with a profound imperative: וְאָהַבְתָּ אֵת יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ – “And you shall love the LORD your God.” This verse sets the tone for the entire chapter by linking covenant … Continue reading

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“Carve for Yourself”: Analyzing פְסָל in Deuteronomy 10:1

Introduction to Deuteronomy 10:1: Covenant Renewal and Divine Instruction Deuteronomy 10:1 opens a pivotal moment in Israel’s story—after the breaking of the first tablets, YHWH commands Mosheh to ascend the mountain again and receive a renewed copy of the covenant … Continue reading

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“You Are Crossing Today”: Analyzing עֹבֵר in Deuteronomy 9:1

Introduction to Deuteronomy 9:1: Threshold of Conquest Deuteronomy 9:1 opens with a solemn charge to Israel as they stand poised to cross the Jordan and enter the promised land. The participle עֹבֵר (“you are crossing”) appears in the expression אַתָּ֨ה … Continue reading

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Harvesting the Mouth: Parallelism and Metaphor in Proverbs 18:20

Proverbs 18:20 מִפְּרִ֣י פִי־֭אִישׁ תִּשְׂבַּ֣ע בִּטְנֹ֑ו תְּבוּאַ֖ת שְׂפָתָ֣יו יִשְׂבָּֽע׃ Metaphor in Motion: פִּי־אִישׁ and תְּבוּאַת שְׂפָתָיו This proverb is built on a beautifully balanced metaphor: a man’s words are compared to fruit (פְּרִי) and harvest (תְּבוּאָה). The noun פִּי־אִישׁ (“the … Continue reading

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Nominal Clauses with Temporal Markers and Sacred Attribution

Introduction to Zechariah 14:20 This prophetic verse describes a future day when even the most ordinary objects—like horse bells and temple bowls—will be consecrated to YHWH. The structure features nominal clauses framed with temporal expressions and sacred attributions. The phrase … Continue reading

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The Victory of the Suffering Servant: Verb Patterns and Poetic Syntax in Isaiah 53:12

Isaiah 53:12 לָכֵ֞ן אֲחַלֶּק־לֹ֣ו בָרַבִּ֗ים וְאֶת־עֲצוּמִים֮ יְחַלֵּ֣ק שָׁלָל֒ תַּ֗חַת אֲשֶׁ֨ר הֶעֱרָ֤ה לַמָּ֨וֶת֙ נַפְשֹׁ֔ו וְאֶת־פֹּשְׁעִ֖ים נִמְנָ֑ה וְהוּא֙ חֵטְא־רַבִּ֣ים נָשָׂ֔א וְלַפֹּשְׁעִ֖ים יַפְגִּֽיעַ Focus on the Cohortative and Imperfect: אֲחַלֶּק and יְחַלֵּק The verse begins with Read more […]

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