Category Archives: Grammar

Biblical Hebrew Grammar

Double Wayyiqtol Narrative Framing in Dialogic Introductions

Introduction to Job 4:1 Job 4:1 marks the beginning of the first response to Job’s lament. The verse introduces the speech of Elifaz the Temani using a formula common in biblical narrative and dialogue: two sequential wayyiqtol verbs, וַיַּעַן (“and … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar | Tagged | Comments Off on Double Wayyiqtol Narrative Framing in Dialogic Introductions

The Conjunction וְהֵן: Conditional Clauses with Assertive Function in Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to Exodus 4:1 This verse presents Moshe’s objection to his divine mission, expressing doubt that the people of Yisra’el will believe his message. The key grammatical feature is the use of the construction וְהֵן, a conditional clause that introduces … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar | Tagged | Comments Off on The Conjunction וְהֵן: Conditional Clauses with Assertive Function in Biblical Hebrew

Dislocation and Apposition: Royal Titling in Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to 1 Kings 4:1 This verse formally introduces the reign of King Shelomoh (Solomon) with a syntactically simple but rhetorically rich construction. The structure features a dislocated subject and appositional noun phrases, which combine to create a solemn and … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar | Tagged | Comments Off on Dislocation and Apposition: Royal Titling in Biblical Hebrew

Coordinated Abstract Nouns and the Power of Prepositional Structure

Introduction to Exodus 31:3 This verse is part of YHWH’s speech to Moshe concerning the appointment of Betsal’el for the work of constructing the Mishkan. The verse lists qualities with which Betsal’el is filled—wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and craftsmanship—using a repeated … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar | Tagged | Comments Off on Coordinated Abstract Nouns and the Power of Prepositional Structure

Return and Presence: Syntax, Imperatives, and Covenant Assurance in Genesis 31:3

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֶֽל־יַעֲקֹ֔ב שׁ֛וּב אֶל־אֶ֥רֶץ אֲבֹותֶ֖יךָ וּלְמֹולַדְתֶּ֑ךָ וְאֶֽהְיֶ֖ה עִמָּֽךְ׃ Contextual Introduction Genesis 31:3 marks a turning point in the patriarch Yaʿaqov’s journey. After years of labor under Lavan in Paddan Aram, Yaʿaqov hears the divine command to return to the … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar | Tagged | Comments Off on Return and Presence: Syntax, Imperatives, and Covenant Assurance in Genesis 31:3

Deuteronomy 31:3 – Emphatic Pronoun Usage and Participial Constructions

יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ ה֣וּא עֹבֵ֣ר לְפָנֶ֗יךָ הֽוּא־יַשְׁמִ֞יד אֶת־הַגֹּויִ֥ם הָאֵ֛לֶּה מִלְּפָנֶ֖יךָ וִֽירִשְׁתָּ֑ם יְהֹושֻׁ֗עַ ה֚וּא עֹבֵ֣ר לְפָנֶ֔יךָ כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהוָֽה׃ YHWH your God—He is the one crossing before you; He will destroy these nations from before you, and you shall dispossess them. Yehoshua—he … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar | Tagged | Comments Off on Deuteronomy 31:3 – Emphatic Pronoun Usage and Participial Constructions

Grammatical-Theological Analysis of Numbers 30:4

וְאִשָּׁ֕ה כִּֽי־תִדֹּ֥ר נֶ֖דֶר לַיהוָ֑ה וְאָסְרָ֥ה אִסָּ֛ר בְּבֵ֥ית אָבִ֖יהָ בִּנְעֻרֶֽיהָ׃ 1. Conditional Syntax and Gendered Subject: וְאִשָּׁה כִּֽי־תִדֹּר The verse opens with וְאִשָּׁה (“and a woman”), functioning as the subject of the conditional clause introduced by כִּֽי (“if”). This introduces a … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar, Theology | Comments Off on Grammatical-Theological Analysis of Numbers 30:4

The Cloudy Day of YHWH: Temporal Markers and Prophetic Syntax in Ezekiel 30:3

כִּֽי־קָרֹ֣וב יֹ֔ום וְקָרֹ֥וב יֹ֖ום לַֽיהוָ֑ה יֹ֣ום עָנָ֔ן עֵ֥ת גֹּויִ֖ם יִֽהְיֶֽה׃ Contextual Introduction Ezekiel 30:3 comes within a prophetic oracle against Mitsrayim (Egypt), where YHWH speaks of an impending judgment not only upon Egypt but on all surrounding nations. This verse … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar | Tagged | Comments Off on The Cloudy Day of YHWH: Temporal Markers and Prophetic Syntax in Ezekiel 30:3

Encircling Holiness: Grammatical Ornamentation in Exodus 30:3

וְצִפִּיתָ֨ אֹתֹ֜ו זָהָ֣ב טָהֹ֗ור אֶת־גַּגֹּ֧ו וְאֶת־קִירֹתָ֛יו סָבִ֖יב וְאֶת־קַרְנֹתָ֑יו וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ לֹּ֛ו זֵ֥ר זָהָ֖ב סָבִֽיב׃ Contextual Introduction Exodus 30:3 is situated within YHWH’s instructions to Moshe regarding the construction of the מִזְבַּח קְטֹרֶת (altar of incense). This verse specifically details the gold … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar, Textual Criticism | Tagged | Comments Off on Encircling Holiness: Grammatical Ornamentation in Exodus 30:3

On the Knees of Grammar: Syntactic and Theological Implications of Genesis 30:3

וַתֹּ֕אמֶר הִנֵּ֛ה אֲמָתִ֥י בִלְהָ֖ה בֹּ֣א אֵלֶ֑יהָ וְתֵלֵד֙ עַל־בִּרְכַּ֔י וְאִבָּנֶ֥ה גַם־אָנֹכִ֖י מִמֶּֽנָּה׃ Contextual Introduction Genesis 30:3 occurs in the emotionally charged narrative of the rivalry between Rachel and Leah, wives of יָעֲקֹב (Yaʿaqov), as they contend for honor and fertility in … Continue reading

Posted in Grammar | Tagged | Comments Off on On the Knees of Grammar: Syntactic and Theological Implications of Genesis 30:3