Category Archives: Grammar

Biblical Hebrew Grammar

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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The Fate of the Fool: Parallelism, Negation, and Wisdom Syntax in Proverbs 5:23

Posted on May 23, 2021 by Biblical Hebrew

Proverbs 5:23 ה֗וּא יָ֭מוּת בְּאֵ֣ין מוּסָ֑ר וּבְרֹ֖ב אִוַּלְתֹּ֣ו יִשְׁגֶּֽה׃ Judgment Statement: הוּא יָמוּת בְּאֵין מוּסָר הוּא (“he”) emphasizes the subject, often added for poetic or emphatic effect. יָמוּת (“he shall die”) is a Qal imperfect 3ms of מ־ו־ת (“to die”), expressing a future or inevitable outcome. בְּאֵין מוּסָר — “for lack of discipline” or literally “in there being no discipline.” מוּסָר means “instruction, correction,” and אֵין marks negation in a nominal clause. The prefix בְּ indicates circumstance or cause. This clause teaches that death comes not from violence but from moral failure — a hallmark of wisdom literature.… Learn Hebrew

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Relative Clauses and the Syntax of Sworn Declarations

Posted on May 21, 2021 by Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to Judges 21:5 Judges 21:5 contains a judicial inquiry framed with a complex syntactic structure involving multiple relative clauses, particularly those introduced by אֲשֶׁר. The layering of relative clauses is critical for understanding Biblical Hebrew’s method of formal legal expression. This verse also demonstrates how relative syntax, when compounded with legal oaths and performative declarations, produces a highly structured and formalized idiom. וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מִ֠י אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹא־עָלָ֧ה בַקָּהָ֛ל מִכָּל־שִׁבְטֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל אֶל־יְהוָ֑ה כִּי֩ הַשְּׁבוּעָ֨ה הַגְּדֹולָ֜ה הָיְתָ֗ה לַ֠אֲשֶׁר לֹא־עָלָ֨ה אֶל־יְהוָ֧ה הַמִּצְפָּ֛ה לֵאמֹ֖ר מֹ֥ות יוּמָֽת׃ Analysis of Key Words and Structures מִ֠י אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹא־עָלָ֧ה (mi asher lo-ʿalah) – “Who did not go up.”… Learn Hebrew

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Volitive Syntax and Theological Restoration in Lamentations 5:21

Posted on May 21, 2021 by Biblical Hebrew

Introduction: Hope Through Syntax in the Poetry of Lament Lamentations 5:21 stands near the close of one of the most theologically and emotionally charged books in the Hebrew Bible. After chapters of devastation, confession, and silence, this verse issues a cry not only for divine attention but for spiritual return and covenantal restoration. The verse reads: הֲשִׁיבֵ֨נוּ יְהוָ֤ה אֵלֶ֨יךָ֙ וְנָשׁוּבָה חַדֵּ֥שׁ יָמֵ֖ינוּ כְּקֶֽדֶם׃ Return us to You, O LORD, and we shall return; renew our days as of old. At first glance, this verse appears as a simple plea.… Learn Hebrew

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“If You Find a Man”: Analyzing אִם in Jeremiah 5:1

Posted on May 1, 2021 by Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to Jeremiah 5:1: The Search for Justice in a Corrupt City Jeremiah 5:1 opens with an evocative challenge: search the streets of יְרוּשָׁלִַם (Yerushalayim), seek out one just person. At the heart of this challenge is a double conditional structure using the Hebrew particle אִם (“if”). The verse offers a window into divine justice and mercy—showing that even one righteous individual could stay YHWH’s judgment. This article will explore the grammar and rhetorical power of the conditional particles אִם־תִּמְצְאוּ and אִם־יֵשׁ, and their implications in the context of prophetic indictment and covenant mercy.… Learn Hebrew

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The Melody of Meaning: Participles and Professions in Genesis 4:21

Posted on April 21, 2021 by Biblical Hebrew

Genesis 4:21 וְשֵׁ֥ם אָחִ֖יו יוּבָ֑ל ה֣וּא הָיָ֔ה אֲבִ֕י כָּל־תֹּפֵ֥שׂ כִּנֹּ֖ור וְעוּגָֽב׃ Grammatical Focus: The Participial Form תֹּפֵ֥שׂ The word תֹּפֵ֥שׂ is a masculine singular participle from the root ת־פ־שׂ, meaning “to grasp,” “to handle,” or “to wield.” In this context, it describes someone who plays or handles musical instruments. The participle in Biblical Hebrew functions similarly to an adjective or a verbal noun and can describe an ongoing action or a characteristic identity. Thus, תֹּפֵ֥שׂ כִּנֹּ֖ור וְעוּגָֽב does not merely mean “one who touched instruments,” but someone characterized by his activity — a musician or artisan of sound.… Learn Hebrew

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Divine Mystery and Royal Appeal: Syntax of Interpretation in Daniel 4:15

Posted on April 15, 2021 by Biblical Hebrew

Introduction: Court Language, Crisis, and Prophetic Authority Daniel 4:15 recounts Nebuchadnezzar’s appeal to Belteshazzar (Daniel) to interpret his troubling dream. The verse is a moment of theological tension and narrative climax, as the king publicly acknowledges Daniel’s unique spiritual capacity amid the failure of Babylonian sages: דְּנָה֙ חֶלְמָ֣א חֲזֵ֔ית אֲנָ֖ה מַלְכָּ֣א נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֑ר וְאַנְתְּ בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּ֜ר פִּשְׁרֵ֣א אֱמַ֗ר כָּל־קֳבֵל֙ דִּ֣י כָּל־חַכִּימֵ֣י מַלְכוּתִ֗י לָֽא־יָכְלִ֤ין פִּשְׁרָא֙ לְהוֹדָ֣עֻתַ֔נִי וְאַנְתְּ כָּהֵ֔ל דִּ֛י רֽוּחַ־אֱלָהִ֥ין קַדִּישִׁ֖ין בָּֽךְ׃ This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw; and you, O Belteshazzar, declare its interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me its interpretation, but you can, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.… Learn Hebrew

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“He Will Tell You What to Do”: Syntax of Submission and Strategy in Ruth 3:4

Posted on April 7, 2021 by Biblical Hebrew

Introduction: Hidden Proposals and Grammatical Strategy Ruth 3:4 is part of Naomi’s carefully crafted plan for Ruth to approach Boʿaz on the threshing floor, initiating a potential levirate marriage (or go’el obligation). The verse reflects tactful agency, conveyed through conditional sequencing, coordinated verbs, and future-oriented clauses. The grammar underscores a mixture of obedience, initiative, and suspense in this intimate but socially dangerous moment: וִיהִ֣י בְשָׁכְבֹ֗ו וְיָדַ֨עַתְּ֙ אֶת־הַמָּקֹום֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִשְׁכַּב־שָׁ֔ם וּבָ֛את וְגִלִּ֥ית מַרְגְּלֹתָ֖יו וְשָׁכָ֑בְתְּ וְהוּא֙ יַגִּ֣יד לָ֔ךְ אֵ֖ת אֲשֶׁ֥ר תַּעַשִֽׂין׃ And when he lies down, you shall observe the place where he lies.… Learn Hebrew

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