The dual number in Biblical Hebrew isn’t just about arithmetic—it’s a linguistic mirror to the world’s inherent pairings. From יָדַיִם (“two hands”) to שְׁנַיִם שְׁנַיִם (“two by two”), these forms signal precise quantity while evoking deeper patterns of symmetry, covenant, and completeness. Marked by the -ַיִם ending in absolute and -ֵי in construct, dual nouns appear prominently in time expressions, anatomy, and idiomatic pairings, often morphing subtly in chain constructions. More than a grammatical quirk, the dual encodes a worldview where twoness—dual eyes, dual years, dual steps—frames balance, purpose, and poetic resonance.
Biblical Hebrew features a unique grammatical category known as the dual number, reserved for entities that naturally occur in pairs. Unlike the singular and plural, the dual specifically denotes exactly two and appears in contexts like body parts (e.g., hands, feet), time expressions (e.g., two days, two years), and certain idiomatic constructions. Understanding dual forms is crucial for interpreting Hebrew numerals and nominal syntax accurately.
What Is the Dual?
The dual is a specialized number form in Biblical Hebrew that grammatically signals “two of something.” It is most often marked by:
- -ַיִם ending in the absolute state (e.g., יָדַיִם – “two hands”)
- -ֵי ending in the construct state (e.g., כַּפֵּי – “palms of”)
Examples of common dual nouns include:
- יָדַיִם – “two hands”
- רַגְלַיִם – “two feet”
- שָׁנָיִם – “two years”
- עֵינַיִם – “two eyes”
These forms are distinct from the plural, which denotes more than two or an indefinite set.
The Numerals שְׁנַיִם and שְׁתַּיִם (“Two”)
Hebrew uses specialized numerals for “two,” which agree in gender:
- שְׁנַיִם – Masculine absolute
- שְׁתַּיִם – Feminine absolute
These forms frequently appear in their construct forms when modifying a noun:
- שְׁנֵי – Masculine construct (e.g., שְׁנֵי אֲנָשִׁים – “two men”)
- שְׁתֵּי – Feminine construct (e.g., שְׁתֵּי עֵינַיִם – “two eyes”)
These construct forms are the most commonly used when counting pairs, and they precede the noun they modify.
Use of Dual in Time and Measurement
Biblical Hebrew employs the dual particularly in time-related expressions and measurement terms. The table below highlights some standard dual time expressions:
| Term | Dual Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Day | יוֹמַיִם | Two days |
| Year | שְׁנָתַיִם | Two years |
| Month | חֹדְשַׁיִם | Two months |
| Steps | צַעֲדַיִם | Two steps |
These dual forms emphasize not just quantity but also semantic pairing, often forming fixed idiomatic expressions in narrative and legal texts.
Distributive Use: “Two by Two”
Biblical Hebrew expresses distributive pairing by repeating the numeral for “two”:
- שְׁנַיִם שְׁנַיִם – “Two by two”
This construction is famously used in the account of Noah’s ark and underscores balance, pairing, and order in Hebrew narrative discourse.
Dual in Construct Chains
When dual nouns appear in construct chains, they shift morphologically from the -ַיִם absolute ending to the construct ending -ֵי:
- יָדַיִם → יְדֵי
- עֵינַיִם → עֵינֵי
Examples:
- בֵּין עֵינֶיךָ – “between your eyes”
- כַּפֵּי יָדָיו – “the palms of his hands”
The construct form maintains the sense of duality contextually, even if the -ַיִם marker disappears.
Duality as a Grammatical and Theological Lens
The dual number in Biblical Hebrew reflects more than grammatical agreement—it encodes a worldview that perceives and preserves pairs: day and night, man and woman, hand and hand. It allows Biblical Hebrew to track not only numerical precision but also ontological balance. Mastering the use of the dual in Hebrew sheds light on both linguistic accuracy and thematic symbolism woven throughout the Hebrew Bible.
