Declension Patterns for Singular, Dual, and Plural Nouns in Biblical Hebrew

Declension in Biblical Hebrew isn’t a maze of endings—it’s a patterned dance between number, gender, and state. Masculine and feminine nouns flex predictably across singular (סֵ֫פֶר, תּוֹרָה), dual (יָדַ֫יִם, עֵינַ֫יִם), and plural forms (סְפָרִים, תּוֹרוֹת), but it’s the construct state that compresses vowels and shifts morphology into genitive elegance. While dual forms hold steady in both states, plurals like מְלָכִים → מַלְכֵי or בָּנִים → בְּנֵי reveal the system’s rhythmic logic. Irregulars—אִישׁ → אַנְשֵׁי, אִשָּׁה → נְשֵׁי—anchor the language in ancient usage. Declension isn’t just grammar—it’s the blueprint of possession, poetry, and precision.

The Core of Hebrew Nominal Morphology

Biblical Hebrew lacks case endings like Latin or Greek, but it displays consistent declension patterns based on number (singular, dual, plural), gender (masculine, feminine), and state (absolute, construct, pronominal suffix). These patterns influence noun agreement and syntactic function. This article presents standard declension behaviors with BHS-compliant examples and corrections for common misconceptions.

Masculine Noun Declension Patterns

Singular – Masculine

Masculine singular nouns are generally unmarked and appear as the base form.

• סֵ֫פֶר – “book”
• מֶ֫לֶךְ – “king”

Dual – Masculine

Duals are marked by the suffix -ַיִם, used primarily for natural pairs or paired items.

• יָדַ֫יִם – “two hands”
• רַגְלַ֫יִם – “two feet”

Note: In Biblical Hebrew, dual forms do not exhibit a separate construct state form. The same form is used in both absolute and construct states, with the relationship inferred from syntax and context.

Plural – Masculine

The masculine plural typically ends in -ִים.

• סְפָרִים – “books”
• מְלָכִים – “kings”

Construct Forms

Feminine Noun Declension Patterns

Singular – Feminine

Feminine nouns often end in -ָה or -ֶת in the singular.

• תּוֹרָה – “law”
• אֲמֶ֫ת – “truth”

Dual – Feminine

Same as masculine: suffix -ַיִם, often with root vowel changes.

• עֵינַ֫יִם – “two eyes”
• אָזְנַ֫יִם – “two ears”

Note: Like masculine nouns, dual feminine nouns do not change form in construct state.

Plural – Feminine

Regular feminine plural suffix is -וֹת. The construct form usually remains identical, though vowel shifts can occur in poetic or archaic contexts.

• תּוֹרוֹת → תּוֹרוֹת (in both absolute and construct)

Construct Forms

Expanded Irregular Forms and Suppletives

Understanding Vowel Shifts and Construct Formation

Construct state frequently causes vowel shifts:

• Masculine plural construct (e.g., סְפָרִים → סִפְרֵי) reduces the first vowel and drops the final –ים ending.
• Feminine construct forms with -ָה often shift to -ַת (e.g., תּוֹרָה → תּוֹרַת).
• Vowel changes reflect accent movement and syllable contraction under construct constraints.

Final Thoughts: Morphology with Precision

By understanding these corrected declension patterns—especially the invariant dual forms, the construct behavior of plurals, and the expanded irregular patterns—students of Biblical Hebrew can more accurately identify syntactic relationships and interpret meaning. Mastery of declension patterns strengthens exegesis, translation, and appreciation for the beauty of the biblical text.