Category Archives: Grammar

Biblical Hebrew Grammar

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“The Word That Came”: Analyzing דְּבַר־יְהוָה in Jeremiah 11:1

Posted on November 1, 2021 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Jeremiah 11:1: A Superscription of Divine Authority Jeremiah 11:1 introduces a new oracle with the recurring prophetic formula: הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר הָיָה אֶל־יִרְמְיָהוּ מֵאֵת יְהוָה. Though succinct, this clause is deeply significant. It not only establishes the divine origin of the message but also prepares the audience for a section of covenantal confrontation and judgment. This article explores the grammatical structure and literary force of the superscription, focusing especially on the phrase דְּבַר־יְהוָה. הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר הָיָה אֶל־יִרְמְיָהוּ מֵאֵת יְהוָה לֵאמֹר׃ Grammatical and Structural Analysis 1.… Learn Hebrew
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They Heard and They Released: Syntax of Covenant Compliance in Jeremiah 34:10

Posted on October 8, 2021 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction: Prophetic Command and Social Reform in Crisis Jeremiah 34:10 recounts the initial compliance of Judah’s leaders and people with a prophetic covenant to release their Hebrew slaves. Set during the Babylonian siege of Yerushalayim, the event temporarily reflected covenantal repentance and social righteousness. The verse uses repetition and coordinated clauses to depict public obedience, drawing attention to its legal and liturgical character: וַיִּשְׁמְעוּ֩ כָל־הַשָּׂרִ֨ים וְכָל־הָעָ֜ם אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֣אוּ בַבְּרִ֗ית לְ֠שַׁלַּח אִ֣ישׁ אֶת־עַבְדֹּ֞ו וְאִ֤ישׁ אֶת־שִׁפְחָתֹו֙ חָפְשִׁ֔ים לְבִלְתִּ֥י עֲבָד־בָּ֖ם עֹ֑וד וַֽיִּשְׁמְע֖וּ וַיְשַׁלֵּֽחוּ׃ Then all the officials and all the people who had entered into the covenant heard, to release each his male servant and each his female servant—free, that none should enslave them again—and they listened and released them.… Learn Hebrew
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“Hear the Word”: Analyzing שִׁמְע֣וּ in Jeremiah 10:1

Posted on October 1, 2021 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Jeremiah 10:1: Prophetic Appeal to the House of Yisra’el Jeremiah 10:1 begins a new section of prophetic address with a commanding call to attention: שִׁמְע֣וּ אֶת־הַדָּבָר (“Hear the word”). This is a formulaic opening found in various prophetic books, marking a transition into a divine pronouncement. The command is directed at בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל (“House of Yisra’el”) and underscores both the urgency and covenantal weight of the speech to follow. This article explores the grammar of the verb שִׁמְע֣וּ, the construction of the clause, and the theological and rhetorical significance of this prophetic summons.… Learn Hebrew
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Untroubled Houses: Negation, Construct Chains, and Divine Irony in Job 21:9

Posted on September 21, 2021 by Biblical Hebrew
Job 21:9 בָּתֵּיהֶ֣ם שָׁלֹ֣ום מִפָּ֑חַד וְלֹ֤א שֵׁ֖בֶט אֱלֹ֣והַּ עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃ The Illusion of Peace: בָּתֵּיהֶם שָׁלֹום מִפָּחַד בָּתֵּיהֶם — “Their houses,” a construct form from בַּיִת (“house”) + 3rd person plural suffix. The construct state links directly to the following noun or description. שָׁלֹום — Literally “peace,” this functions as the predicate noun, describing the state of the houses: peace, wholeness, well-being. מִפָּחַד — “from fear” or “from dread.” The preposition מִן here indicates separation or exemption: the peace described is specifically freedom from fear.… Learn Hebrew
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“Oh, That My Head Were Water!”: Analyzing מִי־יִתֵּן in Jeremiah 9:1

Posted on September 1, 2021 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Jeremiah 9:1: The Prophet’s Lament in Optative Form Jeremiah 9:1 opens with one of the most intense laments in prophetic literature. The prophet cries out in deep grief over the slain of his people, expressing an uncontainable desire to weep continuously. The verse begins with the phrase מִי־יִתֵּן—a classical optative construction in Biblical Hebrew that introduces a longing or wish, usually impossible or hypothetical. This article will examine the grammar, syntax, and literary significance of this powerful phrase in Jeremiah’s lamentation.… Learn Hebrew
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“Then They Will Bring Out the Bones”: Analyzing וְהֹוצִיאוּ in Jeremiah 8:1

Posted on August 1, 2021 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Jeremiah 8:1: Desecration as Judgment Symbol Jeremiah 8:1 begins a chilling oracle of judgment, declaring that even the honored dead—kings, priests, prophets, and residents of Yerushalayim—will be disinterred from their graves. The key verb in this verse, וְהֹוצִיאוּ (“and they will bring out”), is grammatically marked by the waw-consecutive imperfect form, which carries a strong narrative and prophetic function in Biblical Hebrew. This article will explore the morphology, syntax, and theological-literary function of this verb within the verse. בָּעֵ֣ת הַהִ֣יא נְאֻם־יְהוָ֡ה ויציאו אֶת־עַצְמֹ֣ות מַלְכֵֽי־יְהוּדָ֣ה וְאֶת־עַצְמֹות־שָׂרָיו֩ וְאֶת־עַצְמֹ֨ות הַכֹּהֲנִ֜ים וְאֵ֣ת עַצְמֹ֣ות הַנְּבִיאִ֗ים וְאֵ֛ת עַצְמֹ֥ות יֹושְׁבֵֽי־יְרוּשָׁלִָ֖ם מִקִּבְרֵיהֶֽם׃ Grammatical Analysis of וְהֹוצִיאוּ (ויציאו) The verb ויציאו (more precisely vocalized as וְהֹוצִיאוּ) is from the root יָצָא in the Hifil stem, meaning “to bring out” or “to cause to go out.”… Learn Hebrew
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“The Word That Came to Yirmeyahu”: Analyzing הַדָּבָר…לֵאמֹר in Jeremiah 7:1

Posted on July 1, 2021 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Jeremiah 7:1: The Formal Superscription of Prophetic Speech Jeremiah 7:1 opens a new unit of prophecy, famously known as the “Temple Sermon.” The verse uses a standard formula to introduce divine speech: הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר הָיָה אֶל־יִרְמְיָהוּ מֵאֵת יְהוָה לֵאמֹר. This syntactic structure is typical of prophetic books and serves to authenticate and mark the source of the prophet’s message. In this article, we will analyze the grammatical structure of this superscription and explain how the elements function within biblical Hebrew prophetic style.… Learn Hebrew
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Purity and Seeking: Participles, Separation, and Worship in Ezra 6:21

Posted on June 21, 2021 by Biblical Hebrew
Ezra 6:21 וַיֹּאכְל֣וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל הַשָּׁבִים֙ מֵֽהַגֹּולָ֔ה וְכֹ֗ל הַנִּבְדָּ֛ל מִטֻּמְאַ֥ת גֹּויֵֽ־הָאָ֖רֶץ אֲלֵהֶ֑ם לִדְרֹ֕שׁ לַֽיהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ Main Action: וַיֹּאכְלוּ בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל הַשָּׁבִים מֵהַגֹּלָה וַיֹּאכְלוּ (“and they ate”) is a Qal wayyiqtol 3mp of א־כ־ל (“to eat”), narrating the main action of participation in the Passover meal. בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל (“the sons of Israel”) — the primary subject הַשָּׁבִים מֵהַגֹּלָה (“those returning from the exile”) — participial phrase (הַשָּׁבִים, Qal participle mp of ש־ו־ב) describing those who came back from Babylonian captivity This frames the act of eating as an act of covenant renewal by the returnees.… Learn Hebrew
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Unexpected Priests: Object Pronouns and Inclusion in Isaiah 66:21

Posted on June 6, 2021 by Biblical Hebrew
Isaiah 66:21 וְגַם־מֵהֶ֥ם אֶקַּ֛ח לַכֹּהֲנִ֥ים לַלְוִיִּ֖ם אָמַ֥ר יְהוָֽה׃ Surprising Election: וְגַם־מֵהֶם אֶקַּח וְגַם (“and also”) indicates an emphatic addition, suggesting inclusion of an unexpected group. מֵהֶם (“from them”) is a prepositional phrase (מִן + 3mp suffix), indicating that YHWH will select individuals from among a specific group — previously referenced in verse 20 as “the nations.” אֶקַּח (“I will take”) is a Qal imperfect 1cs of ל־ק־ח (“to take”), indicating divine initiative and future action. The verb form reinforces YHWH’s sovereignty in choosing.… Learn Hebrew
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“Blow the Shofar in Tekoa”: Analyzing תִּקְע֣וּ in Jeremiah 6:1

Posted on June 1, 2021 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Jeremiah 6:1: Sounding the Alarm Before Judgment Jeremiah 6:1 is part of a prophetic warning addressed to the southern kingdom of Yehudah, vividly calling the people to flee danger and sound the alarm. At the heart of this call is the imperative verb תִּקְע֣וּ, commanding the blowing of the שׁוֹפָר in the town of תְּקֹועַ. This action symbolizes military alert and divine judgment. This article will explore the grammar, syntax, and theological-literary force of תִּקְע֣וּ in its immediate prophetic context.… Learn Hebrew
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