Category Archives: Grammar

Biblical Hebrew Grammar

“Then Iyov Answered and Said”: Formulaic Speech Introductions in Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to Job 3:2: The Turning Point of Silence into Speech Job 3:2 contains only six Hebrew words, yet it marks a pivotal moment in the literary structure of the book: וַיַּ֥עַן אִיֹּ֗וב וַיֹּאמַֽר׃ — “Then Iyov answered and said.” … Continue reading

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“Lacked Nothing in the Wilderness”: Divine Sufficiency and the Verb חָסַר in Deuteronomy 2:7

Introduction to Deuteronomy 2:7: YHWH’s Provision Over Forty Years As Moshe reflects on the long journey through the wilderness, he emphasizes not just the hardships but also the unrelenting provision of YHWH. The closing declaration—לֹ֥א חָסַ֖רְתָּ דָּבָֽר (“you lacked nothing”)—reveals … Continue reading

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“The Seed of Shīḥor”: Analyzing the Construct Chain זֶרַע שִׁחֹר in Isaiah 23:3

Introduction to Isaiah 23:3: Trade and Wealth in Poetic Prophecy Isaiah 23 is a poetic oracle against the city of Tsor (Tyre), a hub of international commerce and maritime influence. In verse 3, the prophet depicts the city’s economic entanglements … Continue reading

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“Destroyers and Scatterers of My Flock”: Analyzing the Participles מְאַבְּדִים and מְפִצִים in Jeremiah 23:1

Introduction to Jeremiah 23:1: Prophetic Indictment Against False Shepherds Jeremiah 23:1 opens a powerful oracle of woe against the leaders of Yisra’el, metaphorically called “shepherds” who have failed in their responsibility to care for the flock of YHWH. The use … Continue reading

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Singulars of Measure in Biblical Hebrew

The phenomenon of the singular of measure in Biblical Hebrew is a fascinating grammatical and syntactic feature. It reflects how Hebrew expresses quantity, time, age, and other measurable constructs using a singular noun to represent a plural idea. In this … Continue reading

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“Please Pray for Us”: Analyzing הִתְפַּלֶּל־נָא in Jeremiah 37:3

Introduction to Jeremiah 37:3: A King’s Desperate Request Jeremiah 37:3 records a politically and spiritually significant moment: King Tsidqiyyāh sends envoys to request intercessory prayer from the prophet Yirmeyāhū. The plea is encapsulated in the verb הִתְפַּלֶּל־נָא, meaning “Please pray!”—a … Continue reading

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The Struggle Within: Analyzing וַיִּתְרֹצֲצוּ in Genesis 25:22

Introduction to Genesis 25:22: Prenatal Prophecy and Maternal Distress Genesis 25:22 presents a moment of profound mystery: Rivqah experiences intense internal movement during pregnancy. The verb וַיִּתְרֹצֲצוּ describes what the unborn children are doing within her, and her response leads … Continue reading

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The Construct Chain in Psalm 1:3

Introduction to Psalm 1:3 Psalm 1:3 is a vivid poetic description of the righteous individual, comparing them to a tree planted by streams of water. The verse employs various grammatical constructs, including the construct chain (סְמִיכוּת), which plays a crucial … Continue reading

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The Hitpael Verb מִתְהַלֶּכֶת in Ezekiel 1:13

Introduction to Ezekiel 1:13 Ezekiel 1:13 presents a striking description of the living creatures in the prophet’s vision, depicting their likeness as burning coals of fire, moving like torches. A key grammatical feature in this verse is the verb מִתְהַלֶּכֶת … Continue reading

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The Qal Imperfect Verb אֶשְׁלָחֲךָ in Jeremiah 1:7

Introduction to Jeremiah 1:7 Jeremiah 1:7 records YHWH’s response to the prophet’s hesitation, reassuring him that his youth does not disqualify him from divine commission. A key grammatical feature in this verse is the verb אֶשְׁלָחֲךָ (ʾeshlaḥăkha), which appears in … Continue reading

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