Category Archives: Grammar

Biblical Hebrew Grammar

From Afar to Forever: Verb Forms and Covenant Love in Jeremiah 31:3

Posted on March 31, 2023 by Biblical Hebrew

מֵרָחֹ֕וק יְהוָ֖ה נִרְאָ֣ה לִ֑י וְאַהֲבַ֤ת עֹולָם֙ אֲהַבְתִּ֔יךְ עַל־כֵּ֖ן מְשַׁכְתִּ֥יךְ חָֽסֶד׃ Contextual Introduction Jeremiah 31:3 is a centerpiece of hope within the so-called “Book of Consolation” (Jeremiah 30–33), where the prophet records YHWH’s promises of restoration after judgment. In stark contrast to earlier messages of doom, this verse expresses eternal love and covenantal faithfulness. It contains some of the most theologically charged Hebrew poetry in prophetic literature and demonstrates how verb forms and syntax can intensify emotional and spiritual meaning. Grammatical Focus: Verb Tenses, Covenant Constructs, and Poetic Syntax 1.… Learn Hebrew

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“He Loves the People”: The Grammar of Divine Embrace in Deuteronomy 33:3

Posted on March 30, 2023 by Advanced Hebrew Grammar

אַף חֹבֵב עַמִּים כָּל־קְדֹשָׁיו בְּיָדֶךָ וְהֵם תֻּכּוּ לְרַגְלֶיךָ יִשָּׂא מִדַּבְּרֹתֶיךָ׃ In the poetic blessing of Moses over Israel, found in Devarim 33:3, we encounter a verse that is both emotionally rich and grammatically complex. At its center lies a phrase that has stirred centuries of debate: חֹבֵב עַמִּים Typically translated as “He loves the peoples,” this phrase appears at the beginning of a line that continues with divine presence, holiness, and submission. But what makes this verse remarkable is not only its theological depth — it is the way Hebrew syntax shapes our understanding of God’s relationship to Israel and to holiness itself.… Learn Hebrew

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Grammatical-Theological Analysis of Ruth 3:18

Posted on March 18, 2023 by Biblical Hebrew

וַתֹּ֨אמֶר֙ שְׁבִ֣י בִתִּ֔י עַ֚ד אֲשֶׁ֣ר תֵּֽדְעִ֔ין אֵ֖יךְ יִפֹּ֣ל דָּבָ֑ר כִּ֣י לֹ֤א יִשְׁקֹט֙ הָאִ֔ישׁ כִּֽי־אִם־כִּלָּ֥ה הַדָּבָ֖ר הַיֹּֽום׃ 1. Narrative Verb and Direct Speech: וַתֹּ֨אמֶר The verse opens with וַתֹּאמֶר (“and she said”), a standard narrative wayyiqtol form from the root אָמַר (“to say”), 3rd person feminine singular. The subject is Naʿomi, continuing her direct speech to Ruth. This verb marks a transition back into spoken dialogue, characteristic of biblical narrative style. 2. Imperative and Familial Address: שְׁבִי בִתִּי שְׁבִי is a Qal imperative feminine singular of יָשַׁב (“to sit, dwell”), meaning “Sit” or “Remain.”… Learn Hebrew

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Rhetorical Questions and Poetic Syntax in Habakkuk 3:8

Posted on March 8, 2023 by Advanced Hebrew Grammar

הֲבִנְהָרִים֙ חָרָ֣ה יְהוָ֔ה אִ֤ם בַּנְּהָרִים֙ אַפֶּ֔ךָ אִם־בַּיָּ֖ם עֶבְרָתֶ֑ךָ כִּ֤י תִרְכַּב֙ עַל־סוּסֶ֔יךָ מַרְכְּבֹתֶ֖יךָ יְשׁוּעָֽה׃ (Habakkuk 3:8) Was YHWH angry with the rivers? Was Your wrath against the rivers? Was Your rage against the sea, that You ride upon Your horses, Your chariots of salvation? Habakkuk 3:8 belongs to the prophet’s grand theophany vision, where the language of ancient Hebrew poetry is stretched to its fullest expressive power. The verse is built on a series of rhetorical questions framed by the particle הֲ and repeated אִם, culminating in a striking image of YHWH riding upon war horses and chariots of salvation.… Learn Hebrew

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The Edict of Cyrus: Royal Proclamation and Volitional Syntax in 2 Chronicles 36:23

Posted on March 6, 2023 by Biblical Hebrew

2 Chronicles 36:23 כֹּה־אָמַ֞ר כֹּ֣ורֶשׁ מֶ֣לֶךְ פָּרַ֗ס כָּל־מַמְלְכֹ֤ות הָאָ֨רֶץ֙ נָ֣תַן לִ֗י יְהוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וְהֽוּא־פָקַ֤ד עָלַי֙ לִבְנֹֽות־לֹ֣ו בַ֔יִת בִּירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר בִּֽיהוּדָ֑ה מִֽי־בָכֶ֣ם מִכָּל־עַמֹּ֗ו יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהָ֛יו עִמֹּ֖ו וְיָֽעַל׃ Royal Formula: כֹּה־אָמַר כֹּרֶשׁ מֶלֶךְ פָּרַס The phrase כֹּה־אָמַר (“Thus says”) is a formal prophetic or royal announcement formula. אָמַר is a Qal perfect 3ms from א־מ־ר (“to say”), presenting a completed declaration. כֹּרֶשׁ מֶלֶךְ פָּרַס (“Cyrus king of Persia”) identifies the speaker, emphasizing imperial authority and setting the tone of an official decree.… Learn Hebrew

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The Use of שֹׁולֵ֨חַ in Prophetic Commission Formulas

Posted on March 2, 2023 by Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to Ezekiel 2:3 Ezekiel 2:3 is part of the divine commission of Ezekiel as a prophet to Israel. This verse marks the beginning of God’s charge to Ezekiel, in which He commands him to deliver a message to the rebellious Israelites. The verb שֹׁולֵ֨חַ (“I am sending”) plays a crucial role in the prophetic call, indicating a continuous, present, and authoritative action. Unlike past-tense commissioning statements that describe an event that has already taken place, the participial form of this verb suggests an ongoing divine mission.… Learn Hebrew

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“Is It Not for You to Know Justice?”: Infinitive Obligation and Rhetorical Syntax in Micah 3:1

Posted on March 1, 2023 by Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to Micah 3:1: Addressing the Leaders of Yisra’el Micah 3:1 opens a sharp rebuke directed at the leaders of Yisra’el. The prophet confronts the רָאשֵׁי יַעֲקֹב (“chiefs of Yaʿaqov”) and קְצִינֵי בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל (“rulers of the house of Yisra’el”), not with mere accusation, but with a biting rhetorical question: הֲלֹ֣וא לָכֶ֔ם לָדַ֖עַת אֶת־הַמִּשְׁפָּט. This question—structured around the infinitive construct with the lamed preposition—expresses moral obligation and assumed responsibility. In this article, we examine how Hebrew constructs moral expectations through syntax and how this impacts prophetic rhetoric.… Learn Hebrew

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Volition and Cohortatives in Prophetic Vision: Isaiah 2:3

Posted on February 3, 2023 by Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to Isaiah 2:3: An Invitation to Ascend This verse from Isaiah envisions a universal pilgrimage to Zion where many peoples seek divine instruction. It is one of the most famous passages describing a future when nations voluntarily turn to YHWH. What makes this verse particularly rich grammatically is the frequent use of cohortative and volitional forms, such as נַעֲלֶ֣ה (“let us go up”) and נֵלְכָ֖ה (“let us walk”), which express desire, resolve, and invitation. In this lesson, we explore how these forms function in Hebrew syntax and theology, showing how verbs can encode collective will and eschatological hope.… Learn Hebrew

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The Construct Phrase “The Devotion of Your Youth” and Its Covenantal Significance in Jeremiah 2:2

Posted on February 2, 2023 by Biblical Hebrew

הָלֹ֡ךְ וְקָֽרָאתָ֩ בְאָזְנֵ֨י יְרוּשָׁלִַ֜ם לֵאמֹ֗ר כֹּ֚ה אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה זָכַ֤רְתִּי לָךְ֙ חֶ֣סֶד נְעוּרַ֔יִךְ אַהֲבַ֖ת כְּלוּלֹתָ֑יִךְ לֶכְתֵּ֤ךְ אַחֲרַי֙ בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר בְּאֶ֖רֶץ לֹ֥א זְרוּעָֽה׃ (Jeremiah 2:2) “Go and proclaim in the ears of Yerushalayim, saying, ‘Thus says YHWH: “I remember for you the kindness of your youth, the love of your betrothal, your going after Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown. Introduction to Jeremiah 2:2 Jeremiah 2:2 opens a prophetic lament recalling Israel’s early faithfulness to YHWH. The verse presents a divine remembrance of Israel’s loyalty during the Exodus, using the construct phrase חֶ֣סֶד נְעוּרַ֔יִךְ (“the devotion of your youth”).… Learn Hebrew

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“He Stirred Up His Spirit”: Divine Motivation and the Idiom הֵעִיר אֶת־רוּחֹו in Ezra 1:5

Posted on February 1, 2023 by Biblical Hebrew

וַיָּק֜וּמוּ רָאשֵׁ֣י הָאָבֹ֗ות לִֽיהוּדָה֙ וּבִנְיָמִ֔ן וְהַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים וְהַלְוִיִּ֑ם לְכֹ֨ל הֵעִ֤יר הָאֱלֹהִים֙ אֶת־רוּחֹ֔ו לַעֲלֹ֣ות לִבְנֹ֔ות אֶת־בֵּ֥ית יְהוָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ (Ezra 1:5) Then the heads of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, arose: all those whom God stirred up his spirit to go up to build the house of Yahweh which is in Jerusalem. Awakening the Will to Rebuild Ezra 1:5 narrates a monumental moment in the return from exile: the divine stirring of human hearts to begin rebuilding the Temple.… Learn Hebrew

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