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- The Plea of the Prophet: Syntax, Intercession, and Covenant Echoes in Deuteronomy 9:26
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Category Archives: Vocabulary
The Hebrew Verb הָרַג: To Kill, Slay, or Put to Death
The Hebrew verb הָרַג (root: ה־ר־ג) means “to kill,” “to slay,” or “to put to death.” It is one of the primary verbs for taking life in the Hebrew Bible and appears in narratives, laws, prophecy, and poetry. It can refer to killing in battle, murder, divine judgment, or judicial execution.
This verb appears mainly in the Qal stem for simple action (kill), and sometimes in Niphal (passive — to be killed) or Pual (intensive passive).
Qal Binyan Conjugation of הָרַג (“to kill, slay”)
Past (Perfect) Tense
Person
Form
1st person singular
הָרַגְתִּי
2nd person masculine singular
הָרַגְתָּ
2nd person feminine singular
הָרַגְתְּ
3rd person masculine singular
הָרַג
3rd person feminine singular
הָרְגָה
1st person plural
הָרַגְנוּ
2nd person masculine plural
הֲרַגְתֶּם
2nd person feminine plural
הֲרַגְתֶּן
3rd person plural
הָרְגוּ
Present (Participle) Tense
Gender/Number
Form
Masculine singular
הוֹרֵג
Feminine singular
הוֹרֶגֶת
Masculine plural
הוֹרְגִים
Feminine plural
הוֹרְגוֹת
Future (Imperfect) Tense
Person
Form
1st person singular
אֶהֱרֹג
2nd person masculine singular
תַּהֲרֹג
2nd person feminine singular
תַּהֲרְגִי
3rd person masculine singular
יֶהֱרֹג
3rd person feminine singular
תַּהֲרֹג
1st person plural
נֶהֱרֹג
2nd person masculine plural
תַּהֲרְגוּ
2nd person feminine plural
תַּהֲרֹגְנָה
3rd person plural
יֶהֱרְגוּ
Imperative Mood
Person
Form
2nd person masculine singular
הֲרֹג
2nd person feminine singular
הַרְגִי
2nd person masculine plural
הַרְגוּ
2nd person feminine plural
הֲרֹגְנָה
Usage in Scripture
Exodus 2:12 – וַיַּךְ אֶת־הַמִּצְרִי וַיִּטְמְנֵהוּ בַּחוֹל
“He struck down the Egyptian…” — Moshe kills the Egyptian; verb used: הָרַג.… Learn Hebrew
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The Hebrew Verb הִנֵּה: To Behold, Look, or See (Interjectional Usage)
The Hebrew form הִנֵּה (root: נ־ה־ה or variant from ה־י־נ) is not a verb in the strict grammatical sense like other action verbs—it functions primarily as an interjection or demonstrative particle. It means “behold,” “look,” “see,” or “here is / here are.” It introduces attention to something presently visible, about to occur, or dramatically revealed.
Although derived from older verbal roots (possibly היה or ננה), in biblical Hebrew it functions grammatically as a particle of immediacy or emphasis, not as a fully conjugating verb.… Learn Hebrew
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The Hebrew Verb הָלַךְ: To Walk, Go, or Depart
The Hebrew verb הָלַךְ (root: ה־ל־ךְ) is a fundamental verb in biblical Hebrew, meaning “to walk,” “to go,” “to travel,” or “to depart.” It describes physical movement, but also serves as a metaphor for lifestyle, conduct, and spiritual journey. In biblical usage, it appears frequently across all genres—from historical narrative to legal texts, wisdom literature, and prophecy.
In the Qal stem it refers to simple movement or walking. In the Hithpael stem it can reflect habitual or wandering movement (“to walk about”), and in Hiphil, causative forms like “to bring someone” appear.… Learn Hebrew
The Hebrew Verb הָיָה: To Be, Become, or Happen
The Hebrew verb הָיָה (root: ה־י־ה) is one of the most essential and frequently used verbs in the Hebrew Bible. It means “to be,” “to become,” “to happen,” or “to exist.” It expresses states of being, identity, transformation, and occurrence. Though simple in form, its theological and grammatical importance is immense—especially in divine names like יְהוָה (YHWH), which is related etymologically to this root.
Unlike many verbs, הָיָה lacks a Qal participle and present-tense forms in biblical Hebrew. Instead, presence is usually implied or expressed with particles or suffixes.… Learn Hebrew
The Hebrew Verb דָּרַשׁ: To Seek, Inquire, Investigate, or Preach
The Hebrew verb דָּרַשׁ (root: ד־ר־שׁ) has a wide and rich semantic range. It fundamentally means “to seek” or “to inquire,” but its usage expands into contexts of:
Seeking or inquiring after someone or something (including God).
Studying or investigating deeply, especially Scripture or law.
Preaching, interpreting, or expounding—as seen in Rabbinic Hebrew.
This verb is central to the development of midrash (מִדְרָשׁ), meaning “interpretation” or “exposition.” It appears frequently in the Bible, especially in Deuteronomy, Psalms, and prophetic literature.
Qal Binyan Conjugation of דָּרַשׁ (“to seek, inquire, interpret”)
Past (Perfect) Tense
Person
Form
1st person singular
דָּרַשְׁתִּי
2nd person masculine singular
דָּרַשְׁתָּ
2nd person feminine singular
דָּרַשְׁתְּ
3rd person masculine singular
דָּרַשׁ
3rd person feminine singular
דָּרְשָׁה
1st person plural
דָּרַשְׁנוּ
2nd person masculine plural
דְּרַשְׁתֶּם
2nd person feminine plural
דְּרַשְׁתֶּן
3rd person plural
דָּרְשׁוּ
Present (Participle) Tense
Gender/Number
Form
Masculine singular
דּוֹרֵשׁ
Feminine singular
דּוֹרֶשֶׁת
Masculine plural
דּוֹרְשִׁים
Feminine plural
דּוֹרְשׁוֹת
Future (Imperfect) Tense
Person
Form
1st person singular
אֶדְרֹשׁ
2nd person masculine singular
תִּדְרֹשׁ
2nd person feminine singular
תִּדְרְשִׁי
3rd person masculine singular
יִדְרֹשׁ
3rd person feminine singular
תִּדְרֹשׁ
1st person plural
נִדְרֹשׁ
2nd person masculine plural
תִּדְרְשׁוּ
2nd person feminine plural
תִּדְרֹשְׁנָה
3rd person plural
יִדְרְשׁוּ
Imperative Mood
Person
Form
2nd person masculine singular
דְּרֹשׁ
2nd person feminine singular
דִּרְשִׁי
2nd person masculine plural
דִּרְשׁוּ
2nd person feminine plural
דְּרֹשְׁנָה
Usage in Scripture
Deuteronomy 4:29 – וּבִקַּשְׁתֶּם מִשָּׁם אֵת יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ וּמָצָאתָ כִּי תִדְרְשֶׁנּוּ
“You will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him, if you search after Him…”
Amos 5:4 – דִּרְשׁוּנִי וִחְיוּ
“Seek Me and live.”… Learn Hebrew
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The Hebrew Verb דָּרַס: To Trample, Tread Down, or Crush
The Hebrew verb דָּרַס (root: ד־ר־ס) means “to trample,” “to tread down,” or “to crush underfoot.” It conveys the sense of forceful stepping, often violent in nature. In the Tanakh, it is used in both literal and figurative contexts, particularly in poetry and prophecy where trampling symbolizes conquest, judgment, or desecration.
This verb appears in the Qal stem (active), with strong connotations of domination and destruction.
Qal Binyan Conjugation of דָּרַס (“to trample, tread down”)
Past (Perfect) Tense
Person
Form
1st person singular
דָּרַסְתִּי
2nd person masculine singular
דָּרַסְתָּ
2nd person feminine singular
דָּרַסְתְּ
3rd person masculine singular
דָּרַס
3rd person feminine singular
דָּרְסָה
1st person plural
דָּרַסְנוּ
2nd person masculine plural
דְּרַסְתֶּם
2nd person feminine plural
דְּרַסְתֶּן
3rd person plural
דָּרְסוּ
Present (Participle) Tense
Gender/Number
Form
Masculine singular
דּוֹרֵס
Feminine singular
דּוֹרֶסֶת
Masculine plural
דּוֹרְסִים
Feminine plural
דּוֹרְסוֹת
Future (Imperfect) Tense
Person
Form
1st person singular
אֶדְרֹס
2nd person masculine singular
תִּדְרֹס
2nd person feminine singular
תִּדְרְסִי
3rd person masculine singular
יִדְרֹס
3rd person feminine singular
תִּדְרֹס
1st person plural
נִדְרֹס
2nd person masculine plural
תִּדְרְסוּ
2nd person feminine plural
תִּדְרֹסְנָה
3rd person plural
יִדְרְסוּ
Imperative Mood
Person
Form
2nd person masculine singular
דְּרֹס
2nd person feminine singular
דִּרְסִי
2nd person masculine plural
דִּרְסוּ
2nd person feminine plural
דְּרֹסְנָה
Usage in Scripture
Psalm 7:6 – וְעוֹרָה לְאֵלַי מִשְׁפָּט צִוִּיתָ
(While not using the verb directly here, Psalms often express imagery of trampling in battle or judgment.)… Learn Hebrew
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The Hebrew Verb דָּרַךְ: To Tread, March, or Bend (a Bow)
The Hebrew verb דָּרַךְ (root: ד־ר־ךְ) means “to tread,” “to march,” “to step,” or “to bend (a bow).” It is used in a range of contexts from walking or trampling upon something, to preparing a weapon for battle. In poetic and prophetic passages, it often carries connotations of judgment, readiness for war, or movement through a land.
This verb appears primarily in the Qal stem (active) and also in the Hiphil (causative) with the meaning “to cause to tread” or “to guide.”… Learn Hebrew
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The Hebrew Verb דָּקַר: To Pierce, Stab, or Thrust Through
The Hebrew verb דָּקַר (root: ד־ק־ר) means “to pierce,” “to stab,” or “to thrust through” with a sharp object. It is a vivid verb often used in military, prophetic, and poetic contexts, usually involving spears, swords, or sharp weapons. It conveys a violent or fatal action and is frequently found in descriptions of death, judgment, or warfare.
This verb appears primarily in the Qal binyan (simple active stem) and occasionally in the Niphal (passive) or Pual stems.
Qal Binyan Conjugation of דָּקַר (“to pierce, stab”)
Past (Perfect) Tense
Person
Form
1st person singular
דָּקַרְתִּי
2nd person masculine singular
דָּקַרְתָּ
2nd person feminine singular
דָּקַרְתְּ
3rd person masculine singular
דָּקַר
3rd person feminine singular
דָּקְרָה
1st person plural
דָּקַרְנוּ
2nd person masculine plural
דְּקַרְתֶּם
2nd person feminine plural
דְּקַרְתֶּן
3rd person plural
דָּקְרוּ
Present (Participle) Tense
Gender/Number
Form
Masculine singular
דּוֹקֵר
Feminine singular
דּוֹקֶרֶת
Masculine plural
דּוֹקְרִים
Feminine plural
דּוֹקְרוֹת
Future (Imperfect) Tense
Person
Form
1st person singular
אֶדְקֹר
2nd person masculine singular
תִּדְקֹר
2nd person feminine singular
תִּדְקְרִי
3rd person masculine singular
יִדְקֹר
3rd person feminine singular
תִּדְקֹר
1st person plural
נִדְקֹר
2nd person masculine plural
תִּדְקְרוּ
2nd person feminine plural
תִּדְקֹרְנָה
3rd person plural
יִדְקְרוּ
Imperative Mood
Person
Form
2nd person masculine singular
דְּקֹר
2nd person feminine singular
דִּקְרִי
2nd person masculine plural
דִּקְרוּ
2nd person feminine plural
דְּקֹרְנָה
Usage in Scripture
Zechariah 12:10 – וְהִבִּיטוּ אֵלַי אֵת אֲשֶׁר־דָּקָרוּ
“They shall look upon Me whom they have pierced.”… Learn Hebrew
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The Hebrew Verb דָּפַק: To Knock, Beat, or Strike
The Hebrew verb דָּפַק (root: ד־פ־ק) means “to knock,” “to beat,” or “to strike.” It conveys the idea of hitting a surface, especially a door, or of applying pressure in rhythmic or forceful motion. In the Hebrew Bible, it is used both literally (e.g., knocking or pounding) and metaphorically (e.g., forceful entry or pursuit). In Modern Hebrew, it retains its core meaning and is very commonly used for “knock” or “slam.”
Qal Binyan Conjugation of דָּפַק (“to knock, beat”)
Past (Perfect) Tense
Person
Form
1st person singular
דָּפַקְתִּי
2nd person masculine singular
דָּפַקְתָּ
2nd person feminine singular
דָּפַקְתְּ
3rd person masculine singular
דָּפַק
3rd person feminine singular
דָּפְקָה
1st person plural
דָּפַקְנוּ
2nd person masculine plural
דְּפַקְתֶּם
2nd person feminine plural
דְּפַקְתֶּן
3rd person plural
דָּפְקוּ
Present (Participle) Tense
Gender/Number
Form
Masculine singular
דּוֹפֵק
Feminine singular
דּוֹפֶקֶת
Masculine plural
דּוֹפְקִים
Feminine plural
דּוֹפְקוֹת
Future (Imperfect) Tense
Person
Form
1st person singular
אֶדְפֹּק
2nd person masculine singular
תִּדְפֹּק
2nd person feminine singular
תִּדְפְּקִי
3rd person masculine singular
יִדְפֹּק
3rd person feminine singular
תִּדְפֹּק
1st person plural
נִדְפֹּק
2nd person masculine plural
תִּדְפְּקוּ
2nd person feminine plural
תִּדְפֹּקְנָה
3rd person plural
יִדְפְּקוּ
Imperative Mood
Person
Form
2nd person masculine singular
דְּפֹק
2nd person feminine singular
דִּפְקִי
2nd person masculine plural
דִּפְקוּ
2nd person feminine plural
דְּפֹקְנָה
Usage in Scripture
Judges 19:22 – הֵם מֵיטִיבִים אֶת לִבָּם וְהִנֵּה אַנְשֵׁי הָעִיר… דֹּפְקִים עַל הַדָּלֶת
“Behold, the men of the city… were knocking on the door.”… Learn Hebrew
The Hebrew Verb דָּמָה: To Resemble, Be Like, or Imagine
The Hebrew verb דָּמָה (root: ד־מ־ה) has multiple meanings based on context and stem:
To resemble or be like — expressing similarity or comparison.
To think, imagine, or suppose — used in reflective or interpretive contexts.
To be silent or destroyed — in rare cases, from a homonymous root (not the same as “resemble”).
The main stem for the meaning “to resemble” or “to think” is the Qal. The Piel and Hiphil forms may nuance “to cause to resemble” or “to compare.”… Learn Hebrew
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