Category Archives: Theology

The Hebrew verb זָחַל (root: ז־ח־ל) means “to crawl,” “to creep,” or “to slither.” It is used to describe slow, gliding, or low-to-the-ground motion, particularly that of reptiles, insects, or creeping creatures. In a figurative sense, it may also imply approaching with fear, trembling, or humility. This root is relatively rare in the Hebrew Bible and appears mostly in poetic or prophetic contexts. It is often associated with creatures that move close to the ground and is thematically related to reverence or trembling in the presence of the divine.… Learn Hebrew

The Hebrew verb הָפַךְ (root: ה־פ־ךְ) means “to turn,” “to overturn,” “to change,” or “to transform.” It is used in both literal and figurative senses: physically turning something over (like a city, an object), or transforming a condition, heart, or outcome. The verb is highly flexible, expressing divine judgment, reversal of fortune, inner change, and more. In the Qal stem, it typically means “to turn” or “to overturn.” The Niphal (passive/reflexive) often means “to be overturned” or “to be changed,” and the Hiphil (causative) can mean “to cause to overturn” or “to turn into.”… Learn Hebrew

The Hebrew verb גָּשַׁם (root: ג-ש-ם) means “to rain” or “to pour rain.” It refers to the act of rainfall, both literal and, in prophetic literature, symbolic. The verb is relatively rare in the Tanakh and is most frequently used in poetic or descriptive passages. It is the verbal form of the noun גֶּשֶׁם, meaning “rain.” In biblical usage, it generally appears in the Hiphil binyan (causative stem), meaning “to cause to rain,” indicating divine action in sending rainfall.   Hiphil Binyan Conjugation of גָּשַׁם (“to cause rain”) Past (Perfect) Tense Person Form 1st person singular הִגְשַׁמְתִּי 2nd person masculine singular הִגְשַׁמְתָּ 2nd person feminine singular הִגְשַׁמְתְּ 3rd person masculine singular הִגְשִׁים 3rd person feminine singular הִגְשִׁימָה 1st person plural הִגְשַׁמְנוּ 2nd person masculine plural הִגְשַׁמְתֶּם 2nd person feminine plural הִגְשַׁמְתֶּן 3rd person plural הִגְשִׁימוּ Present (Participle) Tense Gender/Number Form Masculine singular מַגְשִׁים Feminine singular מַגְשִׁימָה Masculine plural מַגְשִׁימִים Feminine plural מַגְשִׁימוֹת Future (Imperfect) Tense Person Form 1st person singular אַגְשִׁים 2nd person masculine singular תַּגְשִׁים 2nd person feminine singular תַּגְשִׁימִי 3rd person masculine singular יַגְשִׁים 3rd person feminine singular תַּגְשִׁים 1st person plural נַגְשִׁים 2nd person masculine plural תַּגְשִׁימוּ 2nd person feminine plural תַּגְשֵׁימְנָה 3rd person plural יַגְשִׁימוּ Imperative Mood Person Form 2nd person masculine singular הַגְשֵׁם 2nd person feminine singular הַגְשִׁימִי 2nd person masculine plural הַגְשִׁימוּ 2nd person feminine plural הַגְשֵׁמְנָה    גָּשַׁם in the Tanakh The root ג־ש־ם appears primarily as the noun גֶּשֶׁם (“rain“).… Learn Hebrew

The Hebrew verb בָּרַר (root: ב-ר-ר) means “to choose,” “to purify,” “to sift,” or “to examine carefully.” It conveys the idea of selecting something with care and purpose—such as choosing the best from among many, or purifying something by removing impurities. This verb is used both literally (e.g., in agriculture or metallurgy) and metaphorically (e.g., choosing the righteous, refining character). It appears in various binyanim, most notably in the Piel (to purify or select) and Puʿal (to be purified or selected).… Learn Hebrew