Idiomatic expressions are among the most vivid and culturally revealing elements of any language. In Biblical Hebrew, idioms often carry rich theological, historical, and emotional connotations that resist word-for-word translation. Whether in prose narrative, poetry, or prophecy, Hebrew idioms compress complex ideas into compact, figurative language. Misunderstanding them can distort interpretation; recognizing them opens the door to deeper exegetical insight.
This article surveys a selection of key idiomatic expressions in Biblical Hebrew—highlighting their literal meanings, figurative uses, and interpretive significance. We will also explore the cultural metaphors underlying these phrases, many of which reflect ancient Near Eastern life, covenantal thinking, and embodied experience. Our approach is informed by lexical studies, comparative Semitics, and discourse analysis.
“Cut a Covenant” – כָּרַת בְּרִית
One of the most prominent idioms in the Hebrew Bible is כָּרַת בְּרִית, literally “to cut a covenant.” This phrase occurs frequently in legal and theological contexts:
- Genesis 15:18 – בַּיֹּ֣ום הַה֗וּא כָּרַ֧ת יְהוָ֛ה אֶת־אַבְרָ֖ם בְּרִ֣ית – “On that day, YHWH cut a covenant…”
While modern readers may expect “make” or “establish” a covenant, Hebrew uses כָּרַת (“cut”) because covenant-making often involved the ritual slaughter of animals. The act of “cutting” symbolized the solemnity of the agreement and the curse implicit in breaking it (cf. Jeremiah 34:18).
This idiom encapsulates both the ceremonial and juridical weight of a covenant, where the literal action reinforces the covenant’s irrevocable nature.
“Lift One’s Face” – נָשָׂא פָנִים
The idiom נָשָׂא פָנִים (“to lift the face”) appears in both positive and negative contexts. Literally meaning “to lift the face,” it refers to showing favor or granting acceptance:
- Numbers 6:26 – יִשָּׂא יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ – “May YHWH lift His face toward you” (i.e., be gracious/favorable)
- Deuteronomy 10:17 – אֲשֶׁר לֹא יִשָּׂא פָנִים – “Who does not lift up faces” (i.e., does not show partiality)
The idiom thus spans both divine blessing and judicial impartiality. In ancient Near Eastern court culture, “lifting one’s face” was a gesture of welcome, dignity, or acceptance before a superior.
“Heart and Kidney” – לֵב וּכְלָיוֹת
Hebrew anthropology often uses internal organs idiomatically to refer to thought, emotion, or will. The לֵב (“heart”) is the seat of intellect and decision-making, while כְּלָיוֹת (“kidneys”) often symbolize conscience or inner feeling:
- Psalm 7:10 – בֹּחֵן לִבּוֹת וּכְלָיוֹת – “Examiner of hearts and kidneys”
This idiom underscores the thoroughness of divine scrutiny—God discerns both the rational and emotional dimensions of the human interior. In modern terms, it’s like saying “God sees through your thoughts and motives.”
“To Know a Woman” – יָדַע אִשָּׁה
The verb יָדַע (“to know”) carries a range of semantic values in Biblical Hebrew. In idiomatic usage, especially with a direct object like אִשָּׁה (“a woman”), it denotes sexual intimacy:
- Genesis 4:1 – וְהָאָדָם יָדַע אֶת־חַוָּה אִשְׁתּוֹ – “And the man knew Ḥavvah his wife…”
This idiom reflects a euphemistic and relational view of sexual union, integrating physical intimacy with covenantal knowledge. The choice of “know” over “lie with” or “sleep with” hints at a deeper personal and covenantal bond.
“To Pour Out One’s Soul” – שָׁפַךְ נֶפֶשׁ
Expressing deep emotion, especially in lament or supplication, often uses the idiom שָׁפַךְ נֶפֶשׁ – “to pour out the soul.”
- 1 Samuel 1:15 – וָאֶשְׁפֹּךְ אֶת־נַפְשִׁי לִפְנֵי יְהוָה – “I have poured out my soul before YHWH”
This idiom captures emotional vulnerability and surrender, often in prayer. It evokes imagery of spilling out one’s innermost self like water—an unguarded act of exposure and supplication.
“To Harden the Heart” – חִזֵּק אֶת־לֵב
Repeated frequently in the Exodus narrative, this idiom describes Pharaoh’s resistance to divine command:
- Exodus 9:12 – וַיְחַזֵּק יְהוָה אֶת־לֵב פַּרְעֹה – “YHWH hardened Pharaoh’s heart”
Literally “strengthened the heart,” the idiom implies stubbornness, moral insensitivity, and spiritual defiance. The heart in Hebrew idiom represents will and intention; “hardening” it means making oneself unresponsive or inflexible to correction.
This phrase has fueled theological debates about free will, divine sovereignty, and moral agency. The idiom’s power lies in how a physical metaphor (rigidity) conveys spiritual resistance.
“To Walk After” – הָלַךְ אַחֲרֵי
Another key idiom is הָלַךְ אַחֲרֵי – “to walk after,” used metaphorically to describe devotion, allegiance, or idolatry:
- 1 Kings 18:21 – עַד־מָתַי אַתֶּם פֹּסְחִים עַל־שְׁתֵּי הַסְּעִפִּים אִם־יְהוָה הָאֱלֹהִים לְכוּ אַחֲרָיו – “If YHWH is God, walk after Him”
“Walking after” signifies discipleship or spiritual loyalty. Conversely, to “walk after other gods” is an idiom for idolatry. This spatial metaphor communicates the idea of moral direction and relational obedience.
“To Set the Face Toward” – שָׂם פָּנִים אֶל
The idiom שָׂם פָּנִים אֶל־ or שָׂם לָרוּחַ פָּנִים (lit. “set one’s face toward”) indicates deliberate intention or unwavering resolve:
- Isaiah 50:7 – שַׂמְתִּי פָנַי כַּחַלָּמִישׁ – “I have set my face like flint”
This idiom portrays focus, courage, or defiance. To “set the face” like stone is to remain unmoved under pressure, reflecting deep inner resolve rooted in divine mission or prophetic calling.
The Nature of Hebrew Idioms
Hebrew idioms are typically metaphoric extensions grounded in concrete bodily actions, spatial orientation, or cultural rituals. Unlike isolated lexical units, idioms derive their figurative meaning from usage patterns and context.
They function in several ways:
- Conceptual condensation: compressing theological or emotional meaning into compact phrases
- Stylistic intensity: enriching narrative and poetry with image-rich language
- Cultural realism: reflecting ancient Near Eastern values, practices, and symbolic systems
Because idioms resist direct translation, the interpreter must discern both their literal image and contextual function. This is especially vital in poetic books (e.g., Psalms, Job) where figurative language dominates.
Figurative Density and Theological Insight
To understand Hebrew idiomatic expressions is to appreciate the artistic and theological richness of the biblical text. These expressions operate as compressed metaphors, bridging bodily experience, covenantal life, and spiritual emotion.
From “cutting” covenants to “pouring out” the soul, from “setting the face” to “knowing” one’s spouse, these idioms carry meanings that go far beyond the literal. They invite the reader to think, feel, and imagine with ancient Israel—and to interpret the Scriptures not just grammatically, but figuratively, relationally, and theologically.
✓
