Biblical Hebrew adjectives are an essential component of the language, playing a crucial role in describing and modifying nouns to provide clarity, emphasis, and vividness to the text. Unlike English, where adjectives typically precede the nouns they modify, Biblical Hebrew adjectives usually follow the noun and agree with it in gender, number, and definiteness. This agreement system ensures that the adjective aligns grammatically with the noun it describes, creating a harmonious and precise linguistic structure. Adjectives in Biblical Hebrew can convey a wide range of meanings, from physical characteristics (e.g., “great,” “small”) to abstract qualities (e.g., “holy,” “righteous”). They are also used in comparative and superlative constructions, though these forms are often expressed through context rather than specific morphological changes. Understanding Biblical Hebrew adjectives is key to interpreting the nuances of the biblical text, as they enrich the narrative, poetry, and legal codes found in the Hebrew Bible. Their study offers deeper insight into the language’s syntax, semantics, and the cultural and theological worldview of the ancient Israelites.
Adjectives in Biblical Hebrew are an essential part of understanding the nuances of the language. They modify nouns by describing their qualities or characteristics. Like nouns, adjectives in Biblical Hebrew reflect gender, number, and definiteness. Let’s explore their usage with plenty of examples from the Tanakh.
Types of Adjectives
1. Attributive Adjectives
These adjectives describe a noun and agree with it in gender, number, and definiteness. They follow the noun they modify.
Examples:
- עֵץ טוֹב (*ʿets tov*) – “a good tree”
- הָאִישׁ הַגָּדוֹל (*ha’ish ha’gadol*) – “the great man” (both noun and adjective are definite)
- נַעֲרָה יָפָה (*naʿarah yafah*) – “a beautiful girl”
2. Predicative Adjectives
These adjectives form a predicate, often without the verb “to be” in the present tense. They do not agree in definiteness but do agree in gender and number.
Examples:
- הַמֶּלֶךְ גָּדוֹל (*ha’melekh gadol*) – “The king is great.”
- הַנָּשִׁים צַדִּיקוֹת (*ha’nashim tzadiqot*) – “The women are righteous.”
3. Substantive Adjectives
These adjectives function as nouns and often describe a person or group by their characteristics.
Examples:
- הַקָּדוֹשׁ (*ha’qadosh*) – “the holy one”
- רָעִים (*raʿim*) – “evil ones”
- טוֹבִים (*tovim*) – “good ones”
Agreement in Gender, Number, and Definiteness
Adjectives must match the noun they modify in gender (masculine or feminine), number (singular or plural), and definiteness (definite or indefinite).
1. Masculine Singular
- עֶבֶד נֶאֱמָן (*ʿeved ne’eman*) – “a faithful servant”
- הָר הַגָּדוֹל (*har ha’gadol*) – “the great mountain”
2. Feminine Singular
- אִשָּׁה חֲכָמָה (*ishah ḥakhamah*) – “a wise woman”
- הָעִיר הַקְּדוֹשָׁה (*haʿir ha’qedoshah*) – “the holy city”
3. Masculine Plural
- גִּבּוֹרִים עֲצוּמִים (*gibborim ʿatzumim*) – “mighty warriors”
- הָעַמִּים הָרַבִּים (*haʿamim ha’rabbim*) – “the many nations”
4. Feminine Plural
- נָשִׁים חֲכָמוֹת (*nashim ḥakhamot*) – “wise women”
- הָאֲרָצוֹת הַיָּפִוֹת (*ha’aratzot ha’yafot*) – “the beautiful lands”
Definiteness with Adjectives
When a noun is definite, its modifying adjective must also be definite. Both the noun and adjective will take the definite article הַ (*ha-*).
Examples:
- הַכֹּהֵן הַגָּדוֹל (*ha’kohen ha’gadol*) – “the high priest”
- הַמַּלְאָךְ הַמַּשְׁחִית (*ha’malʾakh ha’mashḥit*) – “the destroying angel”
Adjectives in Construct Phrases
When a noun is in the construct state, the adjective modifying it often follows the entire construct phrase.
Examples:
- עֶבֶד הַמֶּלֶךְ הַנֶּאֱמָן (*ʿeved ha’melekh ha’ne’eman*) – “the faithful servant of the king”
- תּוֹרַת יְהוָה הַתְּמִימָה (*torat YHWH ha’temimah*) – “the perfect law of the LORD”
Adjective Patterns (Mishqalim)
Adjectives follow specific patterns (mishqalim), similar to verbs and nouns. Some common patterns include:
- קָטֹן (*qaton*) – small
Example: כֹּכָב קָטֹן (*kokhav qaton*) – “a small star”
- צַדִּיק (*tzaddiq*) – righteous
Example: אִישׁ צַדִּיק (*ish tzaddiq*) – “a righteous man”
- יָפֶה (*yafeh*) – beautiful
Example: הַבַּיִת הַיָּפֶה (*ha’bayit ha’yafeh*) – “the beautiful house”
Advanced Concepts: Comparative and Superlative Adjectives
Biblical Hebrew does not have distinct forms for comparatives (“more”) or superlatives (“most”). Instead, it uses context and constructions:
1. Comparative
- גָּדוֹל מִן־כֻּלָּם (*gadol min-kullam*) – “greater than all” (literally “great from all”)
- מִי גָּדוֹל כֵּאלֹהֵינוּ (*mi gadol ke’Eloheinu*) – “Who is greater than our God?” (Psalm 77:13)
2. Superlative
- קָדוֹשׁ קָדוֹשׁ קָדוֹשׁ (*qadosh qadosh qadosh*) – “most holy” (Isaiah 6:3)
- טוֹב מְאֹד (*tov meʾod*) – “very good” (Genesis 1:31)
Practice Exercises
- Translate the following phrases into Biblical Hebrew:
- “The wise king”
- “A mighty nation”
- “The holy place”
- Identify the type of adjective in these sentences:
- הַנָּבִיא צַדִּיק (*ha’navi tzaddiq*) – “The prophet is righteous.”
- דֶּרֶךְ קָשֶׁה (*derekh qasheh*) – “A difficult way.”
- Analyze the adjectives in this verse: אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה גִּבּוֹר (*ish milḥamah gibbor*) – “a mighty man of war.”
Enhance Your Understanding of Biblical Hebrew
Biblical Hebrew adjectives provide rich detail and enhance our understanding of the text. Mastering their forms and usage helps unlock the beauty and depth of the Tanakh. Keep practicing by identifying adjectives in your favorite passages!
