Category Archives: Vocabulary

The Hebrew verb הֶאֱמִין (from the root א-מ-ן) is the standard verb for expressing faith, belief, and trust in biblical Hebrew. It appears most frequently in the Hiphil binyan, the causative stem, and literally means “to cause to be firm” or “to cause to trust.” This fits well with the theological context in which the verb often appears—most notably in expressions of trusting in God. For example, in Genesis 15:6, it says of Avram: וְהֶאֱמִן בַּיהוָה — “And he believed in the LORD,” a foundational verse for both Jewish and Christian theology.… Learn Hebrew

The root א-מ-ן (Aleph–Mem–Nun) in Hebrew is one of the most theologically rich and versatile roots in the Bible. From this root come several related verbs and nouns associated with ideas of faith, firmness, trustworthiness, and training. It lies behind well-known words like אָמֵן (“amen”) and אֱמוּנָה (“faith, faithfulness”). This root appears in multiple binyanim, each with distinct shades of meaning: Qal (rare): to be firm, confirmed Niphal: to be faithful, to be established Piel: to train, to bring up (especially a child) Hiphil: to believe, to trust, to regard as true Below are the conjugation tables for the most prominent forms: Niphal, Piel, and Hiphil.… Learn Hebrew

The Hebrew verb אִלֵּץ comes from the root א-ל-ץ and means “to compel,” “to coerce,” or “to force.” It is typically found only in the Piel binyan, which expresses intensive or causative action. This verb is not used in the Qal or Niphal forms in the Hebrew Bible and Modern Hebrew. Its meaning carries a strong sense of pressure or obligation placed on a person or group. The verb is rarely found in biblical Hebrew but appears more often in later Hebrew literature and Modern Hebrew, especially in contexts involving laws, duties, or emotional/psychological pressure.… Learn Hebrew

The Hebrew verb אָכַל (ʾakhal) means “to eat,” but it also extends metaphorically to mean “to consume,” “to devour,” or even “to destroy.” It is one of the most common verbs in the Bible and is used in both literal and figurative contexts — such as people eating food, or fire consuming offerings, or judgment consuming the wicked. Below is a complete conjugation of אָכַל in the Qal stem, covering all major tenses and persons. All Hebrew forms are bolded for clarity.… Learn Hebrew

The Hebrew verb אָחַר (ʾaḥar) means “to delay” or “to tarry” and is found multiple times in the Hebrew Bible. This verb is mostly used in the Qal stem and conveys the idea of being late or lingering beyond an expected time. In some contexts, it can carry a negative connotation, such as failing to act promptly when expected. The root of the verb is א־ח־ר, and it is used both literally and metaphorically. Below is a full conjugation chart of the verb in the Qal stem for past, present, future, and imperative forms.… Learn Hebrew

The Hebrew verb אִחֵל (ʾiḥēl) appears in the Hebrew Bible and carries the meaning of “to wish,” especially in the context of blessing or congratulating someone. It belongs to the Piel binyan (intensive stem), and its root is א־ח־ל. This verb is not highly common, but it does appear in poetic or formal contexts, and it has survived in Modern Hebrew with the same meaning of “to wish” (e.g., mazal tov wishes). In Biblical Hebrew, this verb is usually used in the Piel stem, and here we provide a full conjugation table of its forms in the Piel binyan.… Learn Hebrew