Category Archives: Grammar

Biblical Hebrew Grammar

The Imperative Structure and the Concept of Remembering in Proverbs 3:1

Introduction to Proverbs 3:1 Proverbs 3:1 opens a section of parental instruction, where the speaker (likely Solomon) urges the son to retain wisdom and divine commandments. The verse combines negative and positive imperatives, contrasting forgetting (אַל־תִּשְׁכָּ֑ח) with guarding (יִצֹּ֥ר). This … Continue reading

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The Construct Phrase “Apple of His Eye” and Its Significance in Zechariah 2:8

Introduction to Zechariah 2:8 Zechariah 2:8 is a prophetic declaration of divine protection over Israel, emphasizing God’s response to the nations who harm His people. The verse contains a construct phrase, “בְּבָבַ֥ת עֵינֹֽו” (“the apple of His eye”), which conveys … Continue reading

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The Use of Narrative Verb Forms and Sequential Action in Judges 2:1

Introduction to Judges 2:1 Judges 2:1 introduces a divine proclamation by מַלְאַךְ־יְהוָה (Mal’akh YHWH, “the Angel of the LORD”). The verse employs multiple narrative verb forms, particularly wayyiqtol, which signals sequential action in Biblical Hebrew. These verbs create a flow … Continue reading

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The Construct Chain and Prophetic Superscription in Amos 1:1

Introduction to Amos 1:1 Amos 1:1 serves as a superscription that introduces the prophetic book, providing details about the prophet’s identity, occupation, geographical origin, historical context, and the timing of his vision. The verse employs construct chains (סְמִיכוּת), which play … Continue reading

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The Imperative Verb “Save!” and Its Function in Biblical Prayers of Lament in Psalm 12:1

Introduction to Psalm 12:1 Psalm 12:1 is a lament psalm attributed to David, beginning with a cry for divine intervention. The imperative verb הֹושִׁ֣יעָה (“Save!”) serves as a direct plea to YHWH, reflecting a crisis where the righteous are vanishing. … Continue reading

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The Semantics and Metaphorical Meaning of שַׁלַּ֥ח in Ecclesiastes 11:1

Introduction to Ecclesiastes 11:1 Ecclesiastes 11:1 presents a metaphorical proverb that has been widely debated in biblical interpretation. The phrase שַׁלַּ֥ח לַחְמְךָ֖ עַל־פְּנֵ֣י הַמָּ֑יִם (“Send forth your bread upon the surface of the waters”) suggests an act of generosity, faith, … Continue reading

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The Function and Semantics of the Hitpa‘el Stem in Ezra 10:1

Introduction to Ezra 10:1 Ezra 10:1 describes Ezra’s public prayer and confession, which deeply moves the people of Israel, leading them to a communal act of repentance. This verse contains multiple hitpa‘el (התפעל) verbs, a Hebrew verb stem that typically … Continue reading

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The Custom of Removing the Sandal in Ancient Israelite Legal Transactions

Introduction to Ruth 4:7 Ruth 4:7 describes an ancient legal custom in Israel, specifically regarding the act of transferring property or legal rights through the symbolic gesture of removing one’s sandal. This verse occurs in the context of Boaz negotiating … Continue reading

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The Syntactic and Rhetorical Structure of Geographic Listings in Joshua 9:1

Introduction to Joshua 9:1 Joshua 9:1 introduces a significant narrative development, where multiple kings from different regions react to Israel’s conquests. This verse employs a structured geographic listing, a common rhetorical and syntactic device in Biblical Hebrew used to emphasize … Continue reading

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The Semantics and Theological Implications of Divine Remembrance in Genesis 8:1

Introduction to Genesis 8:1 Genesis 8:1 marks a turning point in the Flood narrative, emphasizing that God “remembered” Noah and the animals in the ark, leading to the recession of the waters. The phrase “And God remembered” (וַיִּזְכֹּ֤ר אֱלֹהִים֙) is … Continue reading

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