Category Archives: Theology

“If You Find a Man”: Analyzing אִם in Jeremiah 5:1

Posted on May 1, 2021 by Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to Jeremiah 5:1: The Search for Justice in a Corrupt City Jeremiah 5:1 opens with an evocative challenge: search the streets of יְרוּשָׁלִַם (Yerushalayim), seek out one just person. At the heart of this challenge is a double conditional structure using the Hebrew particle אִם (“if”). The verse offers a window into divine justice and mercy—showing that even one righteous individual could stay YHWH’s judgment. This article will explore the grammar and rhetorical power of the conditional particles אִם־תִּמְצְאוּ and אִם־יֵשׁ, and their implications in the context of prophetic indictment and covenant mercy.… Learn Hebrew

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Shaking Words and Shifting Roles: The Binyanim in Job’s Sarcastic Rebuke

Posted on April 16, 2021 by Biblical Hebrew

גַּ֤ם אָנֹכִי֮ כָּכֶ֪ם אֲדַ֫בֵּ֥רָה ל֤וּ־יֵ֪שׁ נַפְשְׁכֶ֡ם תַּ֤חַת נַפְשִׁ֗י אַחְבִּ֣ירָה עֲלֵיכֶ֣ם בְּמִלִּ֑ים וְאָנִ֥יעָה עֲ֝לֵיכֶ֗ם בְּמֹ֣ו רֹאשִֽׁי׃ (Job 16:4) I also, like you, would speak; if only your soul were in place of mine, I would join words together over you, and I would shake over you with the nodding of my head. Overview: Expressing Irony Through Binyanim Job 16:4 is a masterful example of Biblical Hebrew’s expressive potential. In this verse, Job sarcastically imagines himself trading places with his accusers. The verbs he chooses reflect control, creativity, and confrontation—each shaped by its binyan.… Learn Hebrew

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Divine Mystery and Royal Appeal: Syntax of Interpretation in Daniel 4:15

Posted on April 15, 2021 by Biblical Hebrew

Introduction: Court Language, Crisis, and Prophetic Authority Daniel 4:15 recounts Nebuchadnezzar’s appeal to Belteshazzar (Daniel) to interpret his troubling dream. The verse is a moment of theological tension and narrative climax, as the king publicly acknowledges Daniel’s unique spiritual capacity amid the failure of Babylonian sages: דְּנָה֙ חֶלְמָ֣א חֲזֵ֔ית אֲנָ֖ה מַלְכָּ֣א נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֑ר וְאַנְתְּ בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּ֜ר פִּשְׁרֵ֣א אֱמַ֗ר כָּל־קֳבֵל֙ דִּ֣י כָּל־חַכִּימֵ֣י מַלְכוּתִ֗י לָֽא־יָכְלִ֤ין פִּשְׁרָא֙ לְהוֹדָ֣עֻתַ֔נִי וְאַנְתְּ כָּהֵ֔ל דִּ֛י רֽוּחַ־אֱלָהִ֥ין קַדִּישִׁ֖ין בָּֽךְ׃ This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw; and you, O Belteshazzar, declare its interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me its interpretation, but you can, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.… Learn Hebrew

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“He Will Tell You What to Do”: Syntax of Submission and Strategy in Ruth 3:4

Posted on April 7, 2021 by Biblical Hebrew

Introduction: Hidden Proposals and Grammatical Strategy Ruth 3:4 is part of Naomi’s carefully crafted plan for Ruth to approach Boʿaz on the threshing floor, initiating a potential levirate marriage (or go’el obligation). The verse reflects tactful agency, conveyed through conditional sequencing, coordinated verbs, and future-oriented clauses. The grammar underscores a mixture of obedience, initiative, and suspense in this intimate but socially dangerous moment: וִיהִ֣י בְשָׁכְבֹ֗ו וְיָדַ֨עַתְּ֙ אֶת־הַמָּקֹום֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִשְׁכַּב־שָׁ֔ם וּבָ֛את וְגִלִּ֥ית מַרְגְּלֹתָ֖יו וְשָׁכָ֑בְתְּ וְהוּא֙ יַגִּ֣יד לָ֔ךְ אֵ֖ת אֲשֶׁ֥ר תַּעַשִֽׂין׃ And when he lies down, you shall observe the place where he lies.… Learn Hebrew

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Grammatical-Theological Analysis of Proverbs 30:3

Posted on March 30, 2021 by Biblical Hebrew

וְלֹֽא־לָמַ֥דְתִּי חָכְמָ֑ה וְדַ֖עַת קְדֹשִׁ֣ים אֵדָֽע׃ 1. Confessional Tone through Verb Forms: לָמַדְתִּי and אֵדָע The first clause begins with וְלֹֽא־לָמַ֥דְתִּי—“And I have not learned.” This is a Qal perfect 1st person singular verb from the root למד (“to learn”). The perfect form expresses a completed action in the past, here negatively. The speaker confesses a lack of formal acquisition of wisdom, suggesting humility or limitation. The final verb, אֵדָע (“I know”), is a Qal imperfect 1st person singular from ידע. The imperfect tense in this context does not imply future knowledge but rather a continued or general state—“I do not know” or “I am not knowing.”… Learn Hebrew

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“Would He Return?”: Analyzing הֲיָשׁוּב in Jeremiah 3:1

Posted on March 1, 2021 by Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to Jeremiah 3:1: Covenant, Divorce, and the Question of Return Jeremiah 3:1 opens with a rhetorical allusion to Deuteronomic law regarding divorce and remarriage (cf. Deut. 24:1–4). The core grammatical and theological tension is framed by the interrogative verb הֲיָשׁוּב—“Would he return?” This verse uses juridical imagery to confront Israel’s spiritual adultery and probes the unimaginable grace of YHWH’s invitation to return. This article will examine the verb הֲיָשׁוּב in its grammatical context, syntactic structure, and literary-theological implications in Jeremiah 3:1.… Learn Hebrew

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The Construct Chain and Noun Phrase Syntax in Jeremiah 1:1

Posted on January 1, 2021 by Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to Jeremiah 1:1 Jeremiah 1:1 introduces the prophetic book by identifying the prophet’s lineage, his priestly background, and his geographic origin. The verse employs construct chains (סְמִיכוּת), a common feature in Biblical Hebrew used to express relationships between nouns. In this passage, construct phrases such as דִּבְרֵי יִרְמְיָהוּ (“the words of Jeremiah”) and מִן־הַכֹּֽהֲנִים (“from the priests”) serve to establish genitive relationships, connecting Jeremiah to his words, his family, and his town. This study will analyze the syntactic structure, noun relationships, and grammatical function of these construct phrases.… Learn Hebrew

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“To Do in the Land”: Analyzing לַעֲשֹׂות in Deuteronomy 12:1

Posted on December 1, 2020 by Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to Deuteronomy 12:1: Obedience and Covenant Geography Deuteronomy 12:1 serves as a formal introduction to a new legal section in the book, transitioning from general covenant exhortations to specific cultic and social regulations. Central to this introductory verse is the infinitive construct לַעֲשֹׂות, translated “to do” or “to carry out.” This infinitive, coupled with the verbs תִּשְׁמְרוּן and נָתַן, links obedience to divine legislation with territorial inheritance. In this article, we will analyze the grammar, syntax, and theological meaning of לַעֲשֹׂות within the verse’s broader structure and covenantal setting.… Learn Hebrew

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Divine Hiddenness and Reflexive Syntax in Isaiah 64:6: Grammar of Abandonment

Posted on November 6, 2020 by Biblical Hebrew

Introduction: Lament, Agency, and Theological Crisis in Exilic Prayer Isaiah 64 is a communal lament expressing deep anguish over Israel’s estrangement from YHWH. Verse 6 (English: v.7) articulates both divine silence and human inability. The verse reads: וְאֵין־קֹורֵ֣א בְשִׁמְךָ֔ מִתְעֹורֵ֖ר לְהַחֲזִ֣יק בָּ֑ךְ כִּֽי־הִסְתַּ֤רְתָּ פָנֶ֨יךָ֙ מִמֶּ֔נּוּ וַתְּמוּגֵ֖נוּ בְּיַד־עֲוֹנֵֽנוּ׃ And there is no one who calls on Your name, who rouses himself to take hold of You; for You have hidden Your face from us and have melted us away in the hand of our iniquities.… Learn Hebrew

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“And You Shall Love”: Analyzing וְאָהַבְתָּ in Deuteronomy 11:1

Posted on November 1, 2020 by Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to Deuteronomy 11:1: Love as Covenant Loyalty Deuteronomy 11:1 opens with a profound imperative: וְאָהַבְתָּ אֵת יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ – “And you shall love the LORD your God.” This verse sets the tone for the entire chapter by linking covenant obedience with affectionate devotion. The verb אָהַב in this context carries deep theological and relational significance—it is not merely emotional love, but a commitment of loyalty, fidelity, and action. This article explores the grammar, syntax, and covenant theology of וְאָהַבְתָּ as used in Deuteronomy 11:1.… Learn Hebrew

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