-
Recent Articles
- “A Three-Day Journey”: The Syntax of Volition and Deixis in Exodus According to Targum Onkelos
- Disaster That Flies Down: A Hebrew Lesson on Isaiah 8:22
- Purified and Presented: A Hebrew Lesson on Numbers 8:21
- Like the Nations Before You: A Hebrew Walkthrough of Deuteronomy 8:20
- Voices of the Dead or the Living God? A Hebrew Lesson on Isaiah 8:19
- When the Ground Denies Him: A Hebrew Walkthrough of Job 8:18
- From Dust to Gnats: A Hebrew Lesson in Action
- The Power of Repetition: Exploring the Waw-Consecutive
- Through the Great and Fearsome Wilderness: From Fiery Serpent to Flowing Spring
- “Counsel Is Mine” — Exploring the Voice of Wisdom in Proverbs 8:14
- From the Garden to the Ear: Participles and Imperatives in Song of Songs 8:13
- Wisdom’s Self-Introduction: Where Insight Meets Strategy
Categories
Archives
The Hebrew Verb גָּמַר: To Complete, Finish, or Accomplish
The Hebrew verb גָּמַר (root: ג-מ-ר) means “to complete,” “to finish,” “to bring to an end,” or “to accomplish.” It conveys a strong sense of finishing something fully, whether that be an action, a project, a process, or even a period of time.
גָּמַר mainly appears in the Qal binyan (simple action: to complete) and occasionally in the Piel binyan (intensive: to finish thoroughly).
Qal Binyan Conjugation of גָּמַר (“to complete, finish”)
Past (Perfect) Tense
Person
Form
1st person singular
גָּמַרְתִּי
2nd person masculine singular
גָּמַרְתָּ
2nd person feminine singular
גָּמַרְתְּ
3rd person masculine singular
גָּמַר
3rd person feminine singular
גָּמְרָה
1st person plural
גָּמַרְנוּ
2nd person masculine plural
גְּמַרְתֶּם
2nd person feminine plural
גְּמַרְתֶּן
3rd person plural
גָּמְרוּ
Present (Participle) Tense
Gender/Number
Form
Masculine singular
גּוֹמֵר
Feminine singular
גּוֹמֶרֶת
Masculine plural
גּוֹמְרִים
Feminine plural
גּוֹמְרוֹת
Future (Imperfect) Tense
Person
Form
1st person singular
אֶגְמֹר
2nd person masculine singular
תִּגְמֹר
2nd person feminine singular
תִּגְמְרִי
3rd person masculine singular
יִגְמֹר
3rd person feminine singular
תִּגְמֹר
1st person plural
נִגְמֹר
2nd person masculine plural
תִּגְמְרוּ
2nd person feminine plural
תִּגְמֹרְנָה
3rd person plural
יִגְמְרוּ
Imperative Mood
Person
Form
2nd person masculine singular
גְּמֹר
2nd person feminine singular
גִּמְרִי
2nd person masculine plural
גִּמְרוּ
2nd person feminine plural
גְּמֹרְנָה
Usage in Scripture
Psalm 138:8 – יְהוָה יִגְמֹר בַּעֲדִי
“The LORD will accomplish it for me.”… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Vocabulary
Tagged גמר
Comments Off on The Hebrew Verb גָּמַר: To Complete, Finish, or Accomplish
Speaking and Showing: Sequential Actions and Demonstrative Syntax in Exodus 4:30
Exodus 4:30
וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר אַהֲרֹ֔ן אֵ֚ת כָּל־הַדְּבָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֑ה וַיַּ֥עַשׂ הָאֹתֹ֖ת לְעֵינֵ֥י הָעָֽם׃
Main Speech Act: וַיְדַבֵּר אַהֲרֹן
וַיְדַבֵּר (“and he spoke”) is a Piel wayyiqtol 3ms of ד־ב־ר (“to speak”), showing intensive verbal communication. אַהֲרֹן (“Aaron”) is the clear subject. This verb form moves the narrative forward sequentially, highlighting Aaron’s role as the mouthpiece.
Object of Speech: אֵת כָּל־הַדְּבָרִים אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה
אֵת marks the definite direct object.
כָּל־הַדְּבָרִים (“all the words”) — a full and faithful recounting
אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה — relative clause “which YHWH had spoken to Moses” (past action, Qal perfect 3ms of ד־ב־ר)
Aaron’s speech faithfully transmits divine instruction received by Moses.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Grammar
Tagged Exodus 4:30
Comments Off on Speaking and Showing: Sequential Actions and Demonstrative Syntax in Exodus 4:30
The Hebrew Verb גִּלַּח: To Shave or Shear
The Hebrew verb גִּלַּח (root: ג-ל-ח) means “to shave,” “to shear,” or “to remove hair.” It primarily appears in the Piel binyan, which expresses intensive or purposeful action, particularly when shaving the head, beard, or body. It is used in ritual contexts (such as purification rites) and in descriptions of mourning or humiliation.
The verb also appears in the Hithpael form (reflexive), meaning “to shave oneself.”
Piel Binyan Conjugation of גִּלַּח (“to shave”)
Past (Perfect) Tense
Person
Form
1st person singular
גִּלַּחְתִּי
2nd person masculine singular
גִּלַּחְתָּ
2nd person feminine singular
גִּלַּחְתְּ
3rd person masculine singular
גִּלַּח
3rd person feminine singular
גִּלְּחָה
1st person plural
גִּלַּחְנוּ
2nd person masculine plural
גִּלַּחְתֶּם
2nd person feminine plural
גִּלַּחְתֶּן
3rd person plural
גִּלְּחוּ
Present (Participle) Tense
Gender/Number
Form
Masculine singular
מְגַלֵּחַ
Feminine singular
מְגַלַּחַת
Masculine plural
מְגַלְּחִים
Feminine plural
מְגַלְּחוֹת
Future (Imperfect) Tense
Person
Form
1st person singular
אֲגַלֵּחַ
2nd person masculine singular
תְּגַלֵּחַ
2nd person feminine singular
תְּגַלְּחִי
3rd person masculine singular
יְגַלֵּחַ
3rd person feminine singular
תְּגַלֵּחַ
1st person plural
נְגַלֵּחַ
2nd person masculine plural
תְּגַלְּחוּ
2nd person feminine plural
תְּגַלֵּחַנָּה
3rd person plural
יְגַלְּחוּ
Imperative Mood
Person
Form
2nd person masculine singular
גַלֵּחַ
2nd person feminine singular
גַלְּחִי
2nd person masculine plural
גַלְּחוּ
2nd person feminine plural
גַלֵּחַנָּה
Usage in Scripture
Numbers 6:9 – וְגִלַּח רֹאשׁ נִזְרוֹ
“And he shall shave the head of his consecration…” — regarding a Nazirite vow.… Learn Hebrew
Seeking with All Your Heart: Imperfects, Conditionals, and Covenant Pursuit in Deuteronomy 4:29
Deuteronomy 4:29
וּבִקַּשְׁתֶּ֥ם מִשָּׁ֛ם אֶת־יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ וּמָצָ֑אתָ כִּ֣י תִדְרְשֶׁ֔נּוּ בְּכָל־לְבָבְךָ֖ וּבְכָל־נַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃
Initiation of Seeking: וּבִקַּשְׁתֶּם מִשָּׁם אֶת־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ
וּבִקַּשְׁתֶּם (“and you will seek”) is a Piel perfect 2mp from ב־ק־שׁ (“to seek, inquire”), preceded by vav-consecutive, turning the perfect into a predictive future. מִשָּׁם (“from there”) marks the place of exile as the starting point of seeking. אֶת־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ (“YHWH your God”) identifies the object of the quest, framed relationally by the pronominal suffix אֱלֹהֶיךָ (“your God”).
Promise of Discovery: וּמָצָאתָ
וּמָצָאתָ (“and you will find”) is a Qal perfect 2ms from מ־צ־א (“to find”), again using vav-consecutive to imply future fulfillment.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Grammar
Tagged Deuteronomy 4:29
Comments Off on Seeking with All Your Heart: Imperfects, Conditionals, and Covenant Pursuit in Deuteronomy 4:29
The Hebrew Verb גָּלָה: To Uncover, Reveal, or Exile
The Hebrew verb גָּלָה (root: ג-ל-ה) has a range of meanings depending on the context and binyan:
– In the Qal binyan, it often means “to uncover,” “to reveal,” or “to be exposed.”
– In the Hiphil binyan, it often means “to take into exile,” “to remove,” or “to deport.”
– In some cases, especially in Niphal, it can mean “to be revealed” or “to be uncovered.”
This verb plays a significant role in biblical narratives involving revelation, exposure (of sin, truth, or shame), and exile of individuals or entire nations.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Vocabulary
Tagged גלה
Comments Off on The Hebrew Verb גָּלָה: To Uncover, Reveal, or Exile
Silent Idols: Infinitives, Negation, and Sensory Absence in Deuteronomy 4:28
Deuteronomy 4:28
וַעֲבַדְתֶּם־שָׁ֣ם אֱלֹהִ֔ים מַעֲשֵׂ֖ה יְדֵ֣י אָדָ֑ם עֵ֣ץ וָאֶ֔בֶן אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־יִרְאוּן֙ וְלֹ֣א יִשְׁמְע֔וּן וְלֹ֥א יֹֽאכְל֖וּן וְלֹ֥א יְרִיחֻֽן׃
Future Prediction: וַעֲבַדְתֶּם־שָׁם אֱלֹהִים
וַעֲבַדְתֶּם is a Qal wayyiqtol 2mp of ע־ב־ד (“to serve”), used here predictively: “and you shall serve.” The location שָׁם (“there”) marks exile, indicating worship in a foreign land. אֱלֹהִים here refers not to the true God, but to foreign idols — a bitter irony conveyed by context.
Handmade Gods: מַעֲשֵׂה יְדֵי אָדָם
מַעֲשֵׂה (“work, product”) is a construct noun connected to יְדֵי אָדָם (“the hands of man”).… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Grammar
Tagged Deuteronomy 4:28
Comments Off on Silent Idols: Infinitives, Negation, and Sensory Absence in Deuteronomy 4:28
The Hebrew Verb גָּזַר: To Cut, Decree, or Decide
The Hebrew verb גָּזַר (root: ג-ז-ר) primarily means “to cut,” “to divide,” or “to decree.” Originally, it referred to a literal act of cutting or severing something. Over time, it took on a more abstract meaning, describing a legal or authoritative decision (i.e., a decree being issued, as if it were “cut out” or finalized).
This verb appears mainly in the Qal binyan (to cut, to decide), and sometimes in the Niphal binyan (to be decreed or decided).
Qal Binyan Conjugation of גָּזַר (“to cut,” “to decree”)
Past (Perfect) Tense
Person
Form
1st person singular
גָּזַרְתִּי
2nd person masculine singular
גָּזַרְתָּ
2nd person feminine singular
גָּזַרְתְּ
3rd person masculine singular
גָּזַר
3rd person feminine singular
גָּזְרָה
1st person plural
גָּזַרְנוּ
2nd person masculine plural
גְּזַרְתֶּם
2nd person feminine plural
גְּזַרְתֶּן
3rd person plural
גָּזְרוּ
Present (Participle) Tense
Gender/Number
Form
Masculine singular
גּוֹזֵר
Feminine singular
גּוֹזֶרֶת
Masculine plural
גּוֹזְרִים
Feminine plural
גּוֹזְרוֹת
Future (Imperfect) Tense
Person
Form
1st person singular
אֶגְזֹּר
2nd person masculine singular
תִּגְזֹּר
2nd person feminine singular
תִּגְזְּרִי
3rd person masculine singular
יִגְזֹּר
3rd person feminine singular
תִּגְזֹּר
1st person plural
נִגְזֹּר
2nd person masculine plural
תִּגְזְּרוּ
2nd person feminine plural
תִּגְזֹּרְנָה
3rd person plural
יִגְזְּרוּ
Imperative Mood
Person
Form
2nd person masculine singular
גְּזֹּר
2nd person feminine singular
גִּזְרִי
2nd person masculine plural
גִּזְרוּ
2nd person feminine plural
גְּזֹּרְנָה
Usage in Scripture
Job 22:28 – וְתִגְזֹּר אֹמֶר וְיָקָם לָךְ
“You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you.”… Learn Hebrew
Meeting in the Wilderness: Commands, Encounters, and Sequential Verbs in Exodus 4:27
Exodus 4:27
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֶֽל־אַהֲרֹ֔ן לֵ֛ךְ לִקְרַ֥את מֹשֶׁ֖ה הַמִּדְבָּ֑רָה וַיֵּ֗לֶךְ וַֽיִּפְגְּשֵׁ֛הוּ בְּהַ֥ר הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים וַיִּשַּׁק־לֹֽו׃
Divine Command: וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל־אַהֲרֹן
וַיֹּאמֶר is a Qal wayyiqtol 3ms of א־מ־ר (“to say”), standard for narrative progression. יְהוָה is the divine speaker, and אֶל־אַהֲרֹן marks Aaron as the recipient. This phrase introduces a command directly from God to Aaron.
Imperative Mission: לֵךְ לִקְרַאת מֹשֶׁה הַמִּדְבָּרָה
לֵךְ (“Go!”) is a Qal imperative 2ms from י־ל־ך, commanding immediate action. לִקְרַאת (“to meet”) is an infinitive construct of ק־ר־א with the preposition לְ, expressing purpose.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Grammar
Tagged Exodus 4:27
Comments Off on Meeting in the Wilderness: Commands, Encounters, and Sequential Verbs in Exodus 4:27
The Hebrew Verb גוּר: To Sojourn, Dwell Temporarily, or Fear
The Hebrew verb גוּר (root: ג-ו-ר) has two main sets of meanings depending on context and binyan:
– In the Qal binyan, it means “to sojourn,” “to reside temporarily,” or “to dwell as an alien.”
– In other usages (especially poetic), it can also mean “to fear” or “to be afraid.”
The primary biblical usage of גוּר involves living temporarily in a land not one’s own—being a foreigner or guest without full citizenship rights. It appears often in narratives about the Patriarchs (like Avraham) and laws concerning the “ger” (resident alien).… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Vocabulary
Tagged גור
Comments Off on The Hebrew Verb גוּר: To Sojourn, Dwell Temporarily, or Fear
The Ravaged Vineyard: Visionary Perfects and Destruction Syntax in Jeremiah 4:26
Jeremiah 4:26
רָאִ֕יתִי וְהִנֵּ֥ה הַכַּרְמֶ֖ל הַמִּדְבָּ֑ר וְכָל־עָרָ֗יו נִתְּצוּ֙ מִפְּנֵ֣י יְהוָ֔ה מִפְּנֵ֖י חֲרֹ֥ון אַפֹּֽו׃
Vision Report: רָאִיתִי וְהִנֵּה
רָאִיתִי (“I saw”) is a Qal perfect 1cs of ר־א־ה (“to see”), indicating a complete visionary act. וְהִנֵּה (“and behold”) introduces the object of the vision, creating dramatic immediacy typical of prophetic revelations.
Desolate Landscape: הַכַּרְמֶל הַמִּדְבָּר
הַכַּרְמֶל (“the fertile land” or “vineyard”) is used here ironically. Paired with הַמִּדְבָּר (“the desert”), the phrase describes a shocking reversal: once fruitful land now turned into wilderness.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Grammar
Comments Off on The Ravaged Vineyard: Visionary Perfects and Destruction Syntax in Jeremiah 4:26