Dislocation and Apposition: Royal Titling in Biblical Hebrew

וַֽיְהִי֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה מֶ֖לֶךְ עַל־כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (1 Kings 4:1) And King Shelomoh was king over all Yisraʾel. Introduction to 1 Kings 4:1 This verse formally introduces the reign of King Shelomoh (Solomon) with a syntactically simple but rhetorically rich construction. The structure features a dislocated subject and appositional noun phrases, which combine to create a solemn and emphatic royal title. This lesson focuses on dislocation and apposition in Biblical Hebrew and how these features function to frame royal identity. Analysis of Key Words and Structures וַֽיְהִי֙ (vayehi) – Wayyiqtol verb from היה (“to be”), 3rd person masculine singular.… Learn Hebrew
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The Hebrew Verb בָּדַק: To Examine or Inspect

The Hebrew verb בָּדַק (root: ב-ד-ק) means “to examine,” “to inspect,” “to test,” or “to investigate.” It appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible, especially in contexts involving the inspection of persons (e.g., for disease), objects, and buildings, particularly within priestly or ritual contexts. Most often it occurs in the Qal binyan, where it denotes the simple action of examining or checking. Occasionally, it appears in the Pual or Hophal stems in passive constructions.   Qal Binyan Conjugation of בָּדַק Past (Perfect) Tense Person Form 1st person singular בָּדַקְתִּי 2nd person masculine singular בָּדַקְתָּ 2nd person feminine singular בָּדַקְתְּ 3rd person masculine singular בָּדַק 3rd person feminine singular בָּדְקָה 1st person plural בָּדַקְנוּ 2nd person masculine plural בְּדַקְתֶּם 2nd person feminine plural בְּדַקְתֶּן 3rd person plural בָּדְקוּ Present (Participle) Tense Gender/Number Form Masculine singular בֹּדֵק Feminine singular בֹּדֶקֶת Masculine plural בּוֹדְקִים Feminine plural בּוֹדְקוֹת Future (Imperfect) Tense Person Form 1st person singular אֶבְדֹּק 2nd person masculine singular תִּבְדֹּק 2nd person feminine singular תִּבְדְּקִי 3rd person masculine singular יִבְדֹּק 3rd person feminine singular תִּבְדֹּק 1st person plural נִבְדֹּק 2nd person masculine plural תִּבְדְּקוּ 2nd person feminine plural תִּבְדֹּקְנָה 3rd person plural יִבְדְּקוּ Imperative Mood Person Form 2nd person masculine singular בְּדֹק 2nd person feminine singular בִּדְקִי 2nd person masculine plural בִּדְקוּ 2nd person feminine plural בְּדֹקְנָה   Usage in Scripture Leviticus 13:3 – וְרָאָה אֹתוֹ הַכֹּהֵן וְרָאָה הַכֹּהֵן אֶת־הַנֶּגַע בְּעוֹר הַבָּשָׂר “The priest shall examine the sore…” – describing a ritual inspection for skin disease.… Learn Hebrew
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Coordinated Abstract Nouns and the Power of Prepositional Structure

Introduction to Exodus 31:3 This verse is part of YHWH’s speech to Moshe concerning the appointment of Betsal’el for the work of constructing the Mishkan. The verse lists qualities with which Betsal’el is filled—wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and craftsmanship—using a repeated prepositional structure that elevates the poetic and theological impact of the declaration. This lesson will explore the grammar and rhetorical function of coordinated abstract nouns introduced by repeated prepositions, especially when used in divine empowerment formulas. וָאֲמַלֵּ֥א אֹתֹ֖ו ר֣וּחַ אֱלֹהִ֑ים בְּחָכְמָ֛ה וּבִתְבוּנָ֥ה וּבְדַ֖עַת וּבְכָל־מְלָאכָֽה׃ Analysis of Key Words and Structures וָאֲמַלֵּ֥א (vaʾammalē) – First person singular Qal wayyiqtol verb from the root מלא, “I filled.”… Learn Hebrew
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The Hebrew Verb אָשַׁר: To Approve, Confirm, or Go Straight

The Hebrew verb אָשַׁר (root: א-ש-ר) has several shades of meaning depending on context and binyan (verbal stem). In its core sense, it can mean “to go straight,” “to walk uprightly,” “to approve,” or “to confirm.” It appears in both literal and figurative contexts throughout the Hebrew Bible. In the Qal form, it can mean “to go straight” or “to be blessed/upright” (though this is rare), and in the Piel form, it commonly means “to approve,” “to confirm,” or “to pronounce blessed.”… Learn Hebrew
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Return and Presence: Syntax, Imperatives, and Covenant Assurance in Genesis 31:3

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֶֽל־יַעֲקֹ֔ב שׁ֛וּב אֶל־אֶ֥רֶץ אֲבֹותֶ֖יךָ וּלְמֹולַדְתֶּ֑ךָ וְאֶֽהְיֶ֖ה עִמָּֽךְ׃ Contextual Introduction Genesis 31:3 marks a turning point in the patriarch Yaʿaqov’s journey. After years of labor under Lavan in Paddan Aram, Yaʿaqov hears the divine command to return to the land of his fathers. This verse is brief yet theologically profound, reaffirming the covenantal promise of divine presence. Its grammatical structure reflects both the command to act and the assurance of support—two pillars of biblical covenantal narrative. The use of imperative and imperfect forms encapsulates divine initiative and continuity.… Learn Hebrew
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Deuteronomy 31:3 – Emphatic Pronoun Usage and Participial Constructions

יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ ה֣וּא עֹבֵ֣ר לְפָנֶ֗יךָ הֽוּא־יַשְׁמִ֞יד אֶת־הַגֹּויִ֥ם הָאֵ֛לֶּה מִלְּפָנֶ֖יךָ וִֽירִשְׁתָּ֑ם יְהֹושֻׁ֗עַ ה֚וּא עֹבֵ֣ר לְפָנֶ֔יךָ כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהוָֽה׃ YHWH your God—He is the one crossing before you; He will destroy these nations from before you, and you shall dispossess them. Yehoshua—he is the one crossing before you, just as YHWH has spoken. Explanation of Feature This verse from Deuteronomy 31:3 contains a powerful example of emphatic pronoun usage with participial constructions to highlight divine initiative and assurance. The repeated use of the independent pronoun הוּא (he) with participles and yiqtol verbs creates emphasis—declaring who is truly responsible for the action.… Learn Hebrew
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Grammatical-Theological Analysis of Numbers 30:4

וְאִשָּׁ֕ה כִּֽי־תִדֹּ֥ר נֶ֖דֶר לַיהוָ֑ה וְאָסְרָ֥ה אִסָּ֛ר בְּבֵ֥ית אָבִ֖יהָ בִּנְעֻרֶֽיהָ׃ 1. Conditional Syntax and Gendered Subject: וְאִשָּׁה כִּֽי־תִדֹּר The verse opens with וְאִשָּׁה (“and a woman”), functioning as the subject of the conditional clause introduced by כִּֽי (“if”). This introduces a case law scenario, typical of biblical legal texts. The feminine noun אִשָּׁה anchors the legal condition in a specific subject—here, an unmarried woman, as clarified later. תִדֹּר (“she vows”) is a Qal imperfect 3rd person feminine singular verb from the root נדר (“to vow”).… Learn Hebrew
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The Hebrew Verb אָשַׁם: To Be Guilty or Offend

The Hebrew verb אָשַׁם (root: א-ש-ם) carries the core meaning of “to be guilty,” “to offend,” or “to bear guilt.” It is used frequently in the Hebrew Bible in both legal and cultic contexts. This verb is particularly important in discussions of sin, responsibility, atonement, and offerings, such as the אָשָׁם (guilt offering) described in Leviticus. In the Qal binyan, it typically denotes the state of being guilty or having incurred guilt. In some forms, it may also express passive nuance—“to become guilty.”… Learn Hebrew
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The Cloudy Day of YHWH: Temporal Markers and Prophetic Syntax in Ezekiel 30:3

כִּֽי־קָרֹ֣וב יֹ֔ום וְקָרֹ֥וב יֹ֖ום לַֽיהוָ֑ה יֹ֣ום עָנָ֔ן עֵ֥ת גֹּויִ֖ם יִֽהְיֶֽה׃ Contextual Introduction Ezekiel 30:3 comes within a prophetic oracle against Mitsrayim (Egypt), where YHWH speaks of an impending judgment not only upon Egypt but on all surrounding nations. This verse forms the crescendo of the opening movement of Ezekiel 30 and functions as a theologically charged proclamation of the Day of YHWH. The phraseology is dense, poetic, and structured to evoke awe and dread. From a linguistic perspective, the verse is a treasure trove of temporal markers, ellipsis, repetition, and eschatological syntax.… Learn Hebrew
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Encircling Holiness: Grammatical Ornamentation in Exodus 30:3

וְצִפִּיתָ֨ אֹתֹ֜ו זָהָ֣ב טָהֹ֗ור אֶת־גַּגֹּ֧ו וְאֶת־קִירֹתָ֛יו סָבִ֖יב וְאֶת־קַרְנֹתָ֑יו וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ לֹּ֛ו זֵ֥ר זָהָ֖ב סָבִֽיב׃ Contextual Introduction Exodus 30:3 is situated within YHWH’s instructions to Moshe regarding the construction of the מִזְבַּח קְטֹרֶת (altar of incense). This verse specifically details the gold overlay and decorative features of the altar. As with much of the Tabernacle narrative (Exodus 25–31), the language is ritualistic, highly ordered, and deeply symbolic. The precise grammatical constructions used to describe these physical components reflect theological ideas about sanctity, symmetry, and divine presence.… Learn Hebrew
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