Category Archives: Grammar

Biblical Hebrew Grammar

Iron, Effort, and Wisdom: Poetic Economy and Syntax in Ecclesiastes 10:10

Posted on October 10, 2019 by Biblical Hebrew

אִם־קֵהָ֣ה הַבַּרְזֶ֗ל וְהוּא֙ לֹא־פָנִ֣ים קִלְקַ֔ל וַחֲיָלִ֖ים יְגַבֵּ֑ר וְיִתְרֹ֥ון הַכְשֵׁ֖יר חָכְמָֽה׃ (Ecclesiastes 10:10) If the iron is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must strengthen with force; but the advantage of success is wisdom. Ecclesiastes 10:10 presents a metaphor of labor and effort: a dull iron blade, extra exertion, and the wisdom required to succeed. It fits within the broader themes of Qohelet, where wisdom is praised, yet human limitations and futility are acknowledged. This verse invites reflection on the balance between brute force and strategic thinking.… Learn Hebrew

Posted in Grammar | Tagged Ecclesiastes 10:10 | Comments Off

The Joy and Sorrow of a Son: Analyzing יְשַׂמַּח in Proverbs 10:1

Posted on October 1, 2019 by Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to Proverbs 10:1: Wisdom and Folly in the Household Proverbs 10:1 marks the beginning of a new literary section—the collected sayings of Solomon. This verse presents a stark contrast between wisdom and folly, framed within the parental relationship. The verb יְשַׂמַּח (yəsammaḥ), “he makes glad,” plays a central role, revealing the power of a child’s actions to shape the emotional world of the family. מִשְׁלֵ֗י שְׁלֹ֫מֹ֥ה פ בֵּ֣ן חָ֭כָם יְשַׂמַּח־אָ֑ב וּבֵ֥ן כְּ֝סִ֗יל תּוּגַ֥ת אִמֹּֽו׃ Examining the Core Structure: The Parallelism of Joy and Sorrow The two-part parallelism of this verse is clear: בֵּ֣ן חָ֭כָם יְשַׂמַּח־אָ֑ב בֵּן (bēn) – “A son” (subject).… Learn Hebrew

Posted in Grammar | Tagged Proverbs, Proverbs 10:1 | Comments Off

“For I Have Known Him”: The Grammar of Covenantal Command in Genesis 18:19

Posted on September 18, 2019 by Advanced Hebrew Grammar

כִּ֣י יְדַעְתִּ֗יו לְמַעַן֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יְצַוֶּ֜ה אֶת־בָּנָ֤יו וְאֶת־בֵּיתֹו֙ אַחֲרָ֔יו וְשָֽׁמְרוּ֙ דֶּ֣רֶךְ יְהוָ֔ה לַעֲשֹׂ֥ות צְדָקָ֖ה וּמִשְׁפָּ֑ט לְמַ֗עַן הָבִ֤יא יְהוָה֙ עַל־אַבְרָהָ֔ם אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּ֖ר עָלָֽיו׃ In one of the most intimate moments of divine reflection, God speaks not only about Abraham but to Himself — or perhaps to the heavenly court. In Bereishit 18:19, He declares: כִּי יְדַעְתִּיו לְמַעַן אֲשֶׁר יְצַוֶּה אֶת בָּנָיו וְאֶת־בֵּיתוֹ אַחֲרָיו “For I have known him, because he will command his sons and his household after him.” This verse does more than affirm Abraham’s righteousness — it defines the very purpose of divine election through a grammatical structure that is both precise and profound.… Learn Hebrew

Posted in Grammar | Tagged Genesis 18:19 | Comments Off

The House that Wisdom Built: Analyzing בָּנְתָה in Proverbs 9:1

Posted on September 1, 2019 by Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to Proverbs 9:1: The Architecture of Wisdom Proverbs 9:1 presents one of the most striking images in biblical poetry—Wisdom, personified as a master architect, building her house with seven pillars. The verb בָּנְתָה (bāntāh), “she has built,” is not merely a grammatical structure; it is a theological and poetic blueprint, revealing how divine wisdom constructs the very foundations of knowledge, righteousness, and creation itself. חָ֭כְמֹות בָּנְתָ֣ה בֵיתָ֑הּ חָצְבָ֖ה עַמּוּדֶ֣יהָ שִׁבְעָֽה׃ The Foundation of the Text: What is Being Built? At the heart of this verse is a grand metaphor: Wisdom builds her house—but what does this house symbolize?… Learn Hebrew

Posted in Grammar | Tagged Proverbs, Proverbs 9:1 | Comments Off

Infinitive Purpose: The Hidden Aim of Wisdom in Proverbs 19:8

Posted on August 19, 2019 by Biblical Hebrew

קֹֽנֶה־֭לֵּב אֹהֵ֣ב נַפְשֹׁ֑ו שֹׁמֵ֥ר תְּ֝בוּנָ֗ה לִמְצֹא־טֹֽוב׃ Proverbs 19:8 offers more than a praise of self-care—it offers a tightly woven grammatical chain that climaxes in the infinitive phrase לִמְצֹא־טֹוב, “to find good.” The proverb joins two clauses, each with its own participle, and ends with an infinitive construct that expresses purpose or result. This structure showcases one of Biblical Hebrew’s elegant tools: the infinitive construct with a prefixed לְ to express intention or outcome. Literal Meaning “One who acquires heart loves his soul; one who keeps understanding [does so] to find good.”… Learn Hebrew

Posted in Grammar | Tagged Proverbs 19:8 | Comments Off

The Poetic Call of Wisdom: Analyzing תִקְרָא in Proverbs 8:1

Posted on August 1, 2019 by Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to Proverbs 8:1: When Wisdom Speaks Proverbs 8:1 stands as a grand overture to one of the most elevated poetic personifications in biblical literature—Wisdom (חָכְמָה, ḥokhmāh). Unlike the enticing voice of folly in earlier chapters, here Wisdom herself takes center stage, raising her voice, summoning all who would heed her call. The verb תִקְרָא (tiqrāʾ)—”she calls”—is not merely a grammatical function but a powerful rhetorical device that invites the reader to step into an oratory where divine instruction resonates. הֲלֹֽא־חָכְמָ֥ה תִקְרָ֑א וּ֝תְבוּנָ֗ה תִּתֵּ֥ן קֹולָֽהּ׃ Unraveling the Hebrew: The Cry of Wisdom At first glance, the parallelism of this verse is unmistakable: Wisdom (חָכְמָה, ḥokhmāh) and Understanding (תְבוּנָה, təvūnāh) are active—they call, they give voice.… Learn Hebrew

Posted in Grammar | Tagged Proverbs, Proverbs 8:1 | Comments Off

Mercy That Subdues: Verbal Repetition, Piel Imperatives, and Ocean Imagery in Micah 7:19

Posted on July 26, 2019 by Biblical Hebrew

Micah 7:19 יָשׁ֣וּב יְרַֽחֲמֵ֔נוּ יִכְבֹּ֖שׁ עֲוֹֽנֹתֵ֑ינוּ וְתַשְׁלִ֛יךְ בִּמְצֻלֹ֥ות יָ֖ם כָּל־חַטֹּאותָֽם׃ Mercy Repeated: יָשׁוּב יְרַחֲמֵנוּ יָשׁוּב — Qal imperfect 3ms of שׁ־ו־ב, “he will return.” This may refer either to God returning to His people or resuming His compassion. It echoes previous covenantal language where divine wrath is replaced by divine mercy. יְרַחֲמֵנוּ — Piel imperfect 3ms + 1cp suffix of ר־ח־ם, “to show compassion.” The Piel intensifies: “He will have compassion on us deeply.” The pronominal suffix makes the object explicit: “on us.”… Learn Hebrew

Posted in Grammar | Tagged Micah 7:19 | Comments Off

The Imperative Verb שְׁמֹר in Proverbs 7:1

Posted on July 1, 2019 by Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to Proverbs 7:1 Proverbs 7:1 contains a parental exhortation urging the son to heed wisdom and treasure commandments. The verb שְׁמֹר (shemor) is in the imperative form, a common grammatical structure used in Biblical Hebrew for direct commands or instructions. This analysis will explore the morphology, syntactic function, and semantic implications of שְׁמֹר in this wisdom literature context. בְּ֭נִי שְׁמֹ֣ר אֲמָרָ֑י וּ֝מִצְוֹתַ֗י תִּצְפֹּ֥ן אִתָּֽךְ׃ Analysis of Key Words/Phrases The imperative verb שְׁמֹר (shemor) appears in the phrase: בְּ֭נִי שְׁמֹ֣ר אֲמָרָ֑י This phrase consists of: בְּנִי (bəni) – “My son” (vocative noun, direct address).… Learn Hebrew

Posted in Grammar, Vocabulary | Tagged Proverbs, Proverbs 7:1 | Comments Off

Syntax, Construct Chains, and Social Commentary in Proverbs 19:6

Posted on June 19, 2019 by Biblical Hebrew

Introduction: Social Dynamics and Ethical Tension in Wisdom Literature Proverbs 19:6 stands as a sharp observational proverb that captures human behavior in the face of generosity and material gain. The verse is succinct and biting, exposing the relational dynamics shaped by wealth and patronage: רַ֭בִּים יְחַלּ֣וּ פְנֵֽי־נָדִ֑יב וְכָל־֝הָרֵ֗עַ לְאִ֣ישׁ מַתָּֽן׃ Many seek the favor of a noble, and every friend is to a man who gives gifts. This verse consists of two parallel lines, each offering a window into the psychology of social interaction in the context of ancient patronage systems.… Learn Hebrew

Posted in Grammar, Theology | Tagged Proverbs 19:6 | Comments Off

Emphatic Repetition and Construct Chains in Song of Songs 6:9

Posted on June 9, 2019 by Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to Song of Songs 6:9: Syntax of Uniqueness and Elevated Praise This poetic verse from Shir HaShirim (Song of Songs) is a masterpiece of affectionate exaltation, describing the beloved with supreme uniqueness and praise. The Hebrew grammar uses tools such as emphatic repetition, construct chains, possessive suffixes, and parallel noun clauses to convey exclusivity, beauty, and admiration. This analysis focuses on how the language elevates the status of the subject in both structure and sound. אַחַ֥ת הִיא֙ יֹונָתִ֣י תַמָּתִ֔י אַחַ֥ת הִיא֙ לְאִמָּ֔הּ בָּרָ֥ה הִ֖יא לְיֹֽולַדְתָּ֑הּ רָא֤וּהָ בָנֹות֙ וַֽיְאַשְּׁר֔וּהָ מְלָכֹ֥ות וּפִֽילַגְשִׁ֖ים וַֽיְהַלְלֽוּהָ׃ This lesson is based on Song of Songs 6:9, focusing on the topic: ‘Emphatic Repetition and Construct Chains: Syntax of Praise and Uniqueness in Song of Songs 6:9.’… Learn Hebrew

Posted in Grammar | Tagged Song of Songs 6:9 | Comments Off