Category Archives: Vocabulary

Overview The verb חָבַק (ḥāvaq) means “to embrace,” “to hug,” or “to hold tightly.” It appears in poetic and narrative settings, often expressing deep affection or reunion (e.g., Genesis 33:4, where Esav embraces Yaʿaqov). The root is triliteral and typically appears in the Qal stem, but can be derived in other binyanim as well.   Qal Conjugation Table Tense Person Singular Plural Past 1st חָבַקְתִּי חָבַקְנוּ 2nd חָבַקְתָּ / חָבַקְתְּ חֲבַקְתֶּם / חֲבַקְתֶּן 3rd חָבַק / חָבְקָה חָבְקוּ Present — חוֹבֵק / חוֹבֶקֶת חוֹבְקִים / חוֹבְקוֹת Future 1st אֶחֱבַק נֶחֱבַק 2nd תֶּחֱבַק / תֶּחֱבְקִי תֶּחֱבְקוּ / תֶּחֱבַקְנָה 3rd יִחֱבַק / תֶּחֱבַק יִחֱבְקוּ / תֶּחֱבַקְנָה Imperative 2nd חַבֵּק / חַבְּקִי חַבְּקוּ / חַבֵּקְנָה   Derived Binyanim Niphal Form Example Translation Perfect נֶחְבַּק was embraced Infinitive לְהֵחָבֵק to be embraced Participle נֶחְבָּק being embraced Piel Form Example Translation Perfect חִיבֵּק he hugged (intensively) Infinitive לְחַבֵּק to hug Participle מְחַבֵּק hugging Hiphil This verb is typically not attested in the Hiphil binyan, as the root does not lend itself to causative usage (e.g.,… Learn Hebrew

Overview The verb חָבַב (ḥāvav) means “to love,” “to cherish,” or “to hold dear.” It conveys a more intimate or affectionate sense of love, often implying tender affection or personal attachment. Though this verb is rare, it does appear in poetic and theological contexts. A notable occurrence is in Deuteronomy 33:3, where it expresses YHWH’s loving favor: אַ֚ף חֹבֵ֣ב עַמִּ֔ים — “Indeed, He loves the peoples.” Root and Binyan The root is ח־ב־ב. It occurs primarily in the Qal stem, but is theoretically conjugable in other stems.… Learn Hebrew

The verb זָרַק is a vivid and active root in Biblical Hebrew, typically meaning “to throw,” “to scatter,” or more precisely in ritual contexts, “to sprinkle” (especially with blood or water). It appears frequently in Levitical laws involving sacrifices, where the act of sprinkling blood is part of the priestly ritual to achieve atonement or sanctification. This verb primarily appears in the Qal stem, though it can occur in others like Piel and Niphal. The imagery of throwing or scattering plays a role not only in sacrificial ceremonies but also metaphorically in prophetic passages, evoking ideas of judgment, purification, and separation.… Learn Hebrew

The verb זָקַק (zakak) means “to purify” or “to refine,” especially in the context of purifying metals like silver. It is a vivid and poetic verb that appears in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in poetic or prophetic literature, where it symbolizes moral or spiritual refinement. It is typically used in the Qal stem and occasionally appears in related binyanim such as Pual or Niphal. Occurrences in the Tanakh One well-known occurrence of זָקַק is in Psalm 12:7: אִמְרֹ֣ות יְהוָ֣ה אֲמָרֹ֣ות טְהֹרֹ֑ות כֶּ֖סֶף צָרוּף בַּעֲלִ֥יל לָאָ֗רֶץ מְזֻקָּ֥ק שִׁבְעָתָֽיִם׃ “The words of the LORD are pure words: silver refined in a furnace on the ground, refined seven times.”… Learn Hebrew

The Hebrew Verb זָקַף – To Raise, Erect The verb זָקַף (zakaf) means “to raise,” “to straighten,” or “to erect.” It belongs to Classical and Rabbinic Hebrew, where it often appears in discussions about posture (e.g., standing upright) or ceremonial actions (e.g., erecting an object). Although it is not attested in the Masoretic Text of the Tanakh, it holds linguistic significance and is used in Rabbinic literature. The following tables provide a full morphological presentation of the verb as it would conjugate in Biblical Hebrew, based on standard patterns.… Learn Hebrew

The verb זָקֵן (root: ז־ק־ן) is a stative verb in Biblical Hebrew meaning “to grow old” or “to become aged.” It reflects a process of aging or maturing and is closely related to the noun זָקֵן (“old man” or “elder”). This verb typically appears in the Qal binyan and conveys a passive or intransitive process rather than active action. Though less frequent than some other verbs, זָקֵן carries significant theological and narrative weight in Scripture. The concept of aging is often tied to wisdom, honor, and divine favor.… Learn Hebrew

The Hebrew verb זָכַר (root: ז־כ־ר) means “to remember,” “to recall,” “to call to mind,” or “to be mindful.” It is one of the most significant verbs in biblical theology, describing not only human memory but also God’s covenantal mindfulness of His people, promises, and mercy. This verb appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible, and is used in contexts of prayer, judgment, historical reflection, covenant obligation, and even divine forgiveness.   Qal Binyan Conjugation of זָכַר (“to remember”) Past (Perfect) Tense Person Form 1st person singular זָכַרְתִּי 2nd person masculine singular זָכַרְתָּ 2nd person feminine singular זָכַרְתְּ 3rd person masculine singular זָכַר 3rd person feminine singular זָכְרָה 1st person plural זָכַרְנוּ 2nd person masculine plural זְכַרְתֶּם 2nd person feminine plural זְכַרְתֶּן 3rd person plural זָכְרוּ Present (Participle) Tense Gender/Number Form Masculine singular זוֹכֵר Feminine singular זוֹכֶרֶת Masculine plural זוֹכְרִים Feminine plural זוֹכְרוֹת Future (Imperfect) Tense Person Form 1st person singular אֶזְכֹּר 2nd person masculine singular תִּזְכֹּר 2nd person feminine singular תִּזְכְּרִי 3rd person masculine singular יִזְכֹּר 3rd person feminine singular תִּזְכֹּר 1st person plural נִזְכֹּר 2nd person masculine plural תִּזְכְּרוּ 2nd person feminine plural תִּזְכֹּרְנָה 3rd person plural יִזְכְּרוּ Imperative Mood Person Form 2nd person masculine singular זְכֹר 2nd person feminine singular זִכְרִי 2nd person masculine plural זִכְרוּ 2nd person feminine plural זְכֹרְנָה   Usage in Scripture Exodus 20:8 – זָכוֹר אֶת־יֹום הַשַּׁבָּת לְקַדְּשׁוֹ “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”… Learn Hebrew

The Hebrew verb זָכָה (root: ז־כ־ה) means “to be innocent,” “to be pure,” “to be acquitted,” or “to attain” or “gain” something. It combines legal, moral, and spiritual connotations. In a legal sense, it refers to being declared clean or righteous; in a spiritual or moral sense, it refers to purity or blamelessness. In some contexts, especially in the Hiphil stem, it can mean “to gain,” “to earn,” or “to merit” a reward or status. The root is also connected to the noun זַכַּי (“innocent one”) and to Modern Hebrew words like זְכוּת (“merit, right”).… Learn Hebrew

The Hebrew verb הָרַס (root: ה־ר־ס) means “to destroy,” “to tear down,” or “to demolish.” It is used in both literal and figurative senses in the Hebrew Bible—referring to the destruction of physical structures (like cities, altars, or houses) and metaphorically to the ruin of plans, pride, or kingdoms. It appears in the Qal stem as a strong verb of physical destruction, and in the Hiphil stem for causative forms like “to bring destruction upon.”   Qal Binyan Conjugation of הָרַס (“to destroy, tear down”) Past (Perfect) Tense Person Form 1st person singular הָרַסְתִּי 2nd person masculine singular הָרַסְתָּ 2nd person feminine singular הָרַסְתְּ 3rd person masculine singular הָרַס 3rd person feminine singular הָרְסָה 1st person plural הָרַסְנוּ 2nd person masculine plural הֲרַסְתֶּם 2nd person feminine plural הֲרַסְתֶּן 3rd person plural הָרְסוּ Present (Participle) Tense Gender/Number Form Masculine singular הוֹרֵס Feminine singular הוֹרֶסֶת Masculine plural הוֹרְסִים Feminine plural הוֹרְסוֹת Future (Imperfect) Tense Person Form 1st person singular אֶהֱרֹס 2nd person masculine singular תַּהֲרֹס 2nd person feminine singular תַּהֲרְסִי 3rd person masculine singular יֶהֱרֹס 3rd person feminine singular תַּהֲרֹס 1st person plural נֶהֱרֹס 2nd person masculine plural תַּהֲרְסוּ 2nd person feminine plural תַּהֲרֹסְנָה 3rd person plural יֶהֱרְסוּ Imperative Mood Person Form 2nd person masculine singular הֲרֹס 2nd person feminine singular הַרְסִי 2nd person masculine plural הַרְסוּ 2nd person feminine plural הֲרֹסְנָה   Usage in Scripture Judges 6:25 – וְהָרַסְתָּ֗ אֶת־מִזְבַּ֤ח הַבַּ֨עַל֙ “Tear down the altar of Baʿal” — Gideon is commanded to destroy a pagan altar.… Learn Hebrew