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Recent Articles
- Woven with Wonder: Syntax and Embodied Imagery in Job 10:11
- The Wink and the Wound: Syntax, Parallelism, and Irony in Proverbs 10:10
- The Grammar of Surprise: The Wayyiqtol Chain and Temporal Progression in Joshua 10:9
- The Birth of Power: The Grammar of Beginning and Becoming in Genesis 10:8
- Genealogical Syntax and the Grammar of Nations in Genesis 10:7
- Do Not Mourn as Others Do: Restraint and Reverence in the Aftermath of Fire
- The Blast and the Camp: Exploring Hebrew Commands and Movement in Numbers 10:5
- If You Refuse: The Threat of the Locusts in Translation
- Trumpet Blasts and Assembly Syntax in Numbers 10:3
- Right and Left: A Beginner’s Guide to Hebrew Word Order in Ecclesiastes 10:2
- A Call to Listen: A Beginner’s Guide to Hebrew Grammar in Jeremiah 10:1
- “Even If I Wash with Snow”: Job’s Cry of Purity and Futility in Hebrew
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Category Archives: Grammar
The Syntax of Official Documentation and the Function of Titles in Nehemiah 10:1
Introduction to Nehemiah 10:1
Nehemiah 10:1 marks the beginning of a covenant renewal document, listing the names of those who sealed the agreement. The verse highlights Nehemiah’s leadership role and the official nature of the document. This passage reflects the administrative and legal language of post-exilic Judaism, where written agreements and recorded signatories were central to religious and political life.
The passage consists of:
An introductory phrase marking the list of signatories (וְעַ֖ל הַחֲתוּמִ֑ים, “And upon the sealed ones”).
The title and name of the first signatory (נְחֶמְיָ֧ה הַתִּרְשָׁ֛תָא, “Nehemiah the Tirshatha”).… Learn Hebrew
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The Syntax of Divine Blessing and the Imperative Structure in Genesis 9:1
Introduction to Genesis 9:1
Genesis 9:1 marks a new beginning for humanity following the flood, as God blesses Noah and his sons and commands them to be fruitful and multiply. This verse echoes the blessing given to Adam in Genesis 1:28, emphasizing humanity’s role in repopulating the earth.
The passage consists of:
A divine blessing (וַיְבָ֣רֶךְ אֱלֹהִ֔ים אֶת־נֹ֖חַ וְאֶת־בָּנָ֑יו, “And God blessed Noah and his sons”).
A direct command using imperatives (פְּר֥וּ וּרְב֖וּ וּמִלְא֥וּ אֶת־הָאָֽרֶץ, “Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth”).… Learn Hebrew
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Mouth and Hand: Divine Fulfillment and Liturgical Syntax in 1 Kings 8:15
Introduction: From Promise to Fulfillment in Solomon’s Temple Dedication
1 Kings 8:15 is part of King Shelomoh’s (Solomon’s) public blessing during the dedication of the First Temple. This verse initiates a rich theological reflection on the reliability of YHWH’s promises. It focuses on the fulfillment of a word spoken to David and completed through Shelomoh. The verse reads:
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר בָּר֤וּךְ יְהוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁר֙ דִּבֶּ֣ר בְּפִ֔יו אֵ֖ת דָּוִ֣ד אָבִ֑י וּבְיָדֹ֥ו מִלֵּ֖א לֵאמֹֽר׃
And he said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who spoke with His mouth to David my father, and with His hand has fulfilled it, saying…”
This verse introduces a pivotal moment of covenantal celebration and theological affirmation.… Learn Hebrew
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Divine Anger and Salvation: Rhetorical Questions and Poetic Syntax in Habakkuk 3:8
Habakkuk 3:8
הֲבִנְהָרִים֙ חָרָ֣ה יְהוָ֔ה אִ֤ם בַּנְּהָרִים֙ אַפֶּ֔ךָ אִם־בַּיָּ֖ם עֶבְרָתֶ֑ךָ כִּ֤י תִרְכַּב֙ עַל־סוּסֶ֔יךָ מַרְכְּבֹתֶ֖יךָ יְשׁוּעָֽה׃
Opening Rhetorical Question: הֲבִנְהָרִים חָרָה יְהוָה
הֲבִנְהָרִים (“was it against the rivers?”) uses the interrogative particle הֲ attached to the noun נְהָרִים (“rivers”). חָרָה is a Qal perfect 3ms of ח־ר־ה (“to burn, be angry”), with יְהוָה (“YHWH”) as subject.
The question implies: Was YHWH’s anger directed at inanimate creation (the rivers)?
The structure initiates a poetic and theological reflection on divine action.
Parallel Question: אִם בַּנְּהָרִים אַפֶּךָ
אִם (“or”) introduces an alternative.… Learn Hebrew
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The Syntax of Confrontation and Rhetorical Questioning in Judges 8:1
Introduction to Judges 8:1
Judges 8:1 presents a confrontation between Gideon and the men of Ephraim following his victory over Midian. The Ephraimites express anger that they were not called to battle earlier, employing a rhetorical question to challenge Gideon’s actions.
This passage contains three distinct syntactic elements:
A direct confrontation introduced by speech (וַיֹּאמְר֨וּ אֵלָ֜יו, “And they said to him”).
A rhetorical question implying grievance (מָֽה־הַדָּבָ֤ר הַזֶּה֙ עָשִׂ֣יתָ לָּ֔נוּ, “What is this thing you have done to us?”).
An expression of hostility (וַיְרִיב֥וּן אִתֹּ֖ו בְּחָזְקָֽה, “And they contended with him strongly”).… Learn Hebrew
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The Syntax of Divine Action and the Structure of Conquest in Deuteronomy 7:1
Introduction to Deuteronomy 7:1
Deuteronomy 7:1 is part of Moses’ address to Israel, outlining YHWH’s role in their conquest of the Promised Land. This verse introduces a covenantal promise, stating that God will bring Israel into the land and drive out seven nations greater and mightier than them.
This passage consists of two primary clauses:
Divine agency in bringing Israel into the land (כִּ֤י יְבִֽיאֲךָ֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ, “When YHWH your God brings you into the land”).
Divine action in dispossessing the nations (וְנָשַׁ֣ל גֹּֽויִם־רַבִּ֣ים מִפָּנֶ֡יךָ, “and He will drive out many nations before you”).… Learn Hebrew
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Fire and Fury: Future Movement and Divine Judgment in Isaiah 66:15
Isaiah 66:15
כִּֽי־הִנֵּ֤ה יְהוָה֙ בָּאֵ֣שׁ יָבֹ֔וא וְכַסּוּפָ֖ה מַרְכְּבֹתָ֑יו לְהָשִׁ֤יב בְּחֵמָה֙ אַפֹּ֔ו וְגַעֲרָתֹ֖ו בְּלַהֲבֵי־אֵֽשׁ׃
Announcement Formula: כִּֽי־הִנֵּה יְהוָה
כִּֽי־הִנֵּה (“For behold”) introduces a prophetic announcement with emphasis and urgency. יְהוָה is the divine subject, immediately linked to the coming action. The formula alerts the audience to a decisive intervention by God.
Descent in Fire: בָּאֵשׁ יָבֹוא
בָּאֵשׁ (“in fire”) uses the preposition בְּ (“in, with”) emphasizing the medium of divine appearance. יָבֹוא is a Qal imperfect 3ms of ב־ו־א (“to come”), describing imminent future action: “He will come.”… Learn Hebrew
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Jeremiah 46:5 – Interrogative, Participles, and Word Order in Dramatic Description
מַדּ֣וּעַ רָאִ֗יתִי הֵ֣מָּה חַתִּים֮ נְסֹגִ֣ים אָחֹור֒ וְגִבֹּורֵיהֶ֣ם יֻכַּ֔תּוּ וּמָנֹ֥וס נָ֖סוּ וְלֹ֣א הִפְנ֑וּ מָגֹ֥ור מִסָּבִ֖יב נְאֻם־יְהוָֽה׃
Why have I seen them dismayed and turning back? And their mighty ones are crushed, and they flee in flight and do not turn back—terror on every side, declares YHWH.
Explanation of Feature
This verse from Jeremiah 46:5 is rich in poetic and rhetorical structures, particularly:
1. The use of the interrogative particle מַדּוּעַ (“Why?”), which introduces a rhetorical question expressing astonishment or lament.
2. Multiple participles and perfect verbs in sequential word order that paint a vivid picture of military collapse.… Learn Hebrew
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The Use of Rhetorical Questions and the Syntax of Seeking in Song of Songs 6:1
Introduction to Song of Songs 6:1
Song of Songs 6:1 presents a dialogue of inquiry, where the “daughters of Jerusalem” address the Shulamite, asking where her beloved has gone so they may help her seek him. The verse employs rhetorical questions as a poetic device to express concern, admiration, and solidarity.
This passage consists of two parallel questions, each introduced by אָ֚נָה (“where?”), emphasizing:
The physical departure of the beloved (אָ֚נָה הָלַ֣ךְ דֹּודֵ֔ךְ, “Where has your beloved gone?”).
The direction in which he turned (אָ֚נָה פָּנָ֣ה דֹודֵ֔ךְ, “Where has your beloved turned?”).… Learn Hebrew
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Grammatical-Theological Analysis of Psalm 15:5
כַּסְפֹּ֤ו לֹא־נָתַ֣ן בְּנֶשֶׁךְ֮ וְשֹׁ֥חַד עַל־נָקִ֗י לֹ֥א לָ֫קָ֥ח עֹֽשֵׂה־אֵ֑לֶּה לֹ֖א יִמֹּ֣וט לְעֹולָֽם׃
1. Legal and Economic Ethics in Grammar: כַּסְפּוֹ לֹא־נָתַן בְּנֶשֶׁךְ
כַּסְפּוֹ (“his silver”) is a masculine singular noun in construct with the pronominal suffix -וֹ (“his”), drawing attention to personal property. The phrase לֹא־נָתַן (“he did not give”) uses the Qal perfect 3rd masculine singular of נָתַן, denoting a completed action—he has not given, and by implication does not give, his money בְּנֶשֶׁךְ (“with interest”).
The preposition בְּ introduces the manner or condition: “in interest,” referring to usury, prohibited by the Torah when lending to fellow Israelites (Exodus 22:24; Leviticus 25:36).… Learn Hebrew
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