Biblical Hebrew

In Biblical Hebrew, possession is often expressed without prepositions through syntactic structures like the construct state (סְמִיכוּת), noun juxtaposition, and pronominal suffixes. The construct state links two nouns, where the first (the possessed) is grammatically dependent on the second (the possessor), as in סֵפֶר מֹשֶׁה (“the book of Moshe”). This structure omits the definite article in the first noun and forms a tight syntactic unit. In poetic or elevated language, possession may be implied through simple juxtaposition (e.g., שֵׁם אֱלֹהִים, “name of God”), relying on context for interpretation.… Learn Hebrew

The Hebrew Bible abounds with vivid imagery, often expressing divine or abstract concepts in terms relatable to human experience. Two rhetorical devices central to this phenomenon are anthropomorphism (attributing human characteristics to God) and personification (giving human traits to non-human entities, such as wisdom, land, or death). These literary strategies are not merely poetic flourishes—they are integral to Biblical Hebrew’s theology, metaphor, and narrative voice. This article offers a comprehensive scholarly examination of their linguistic expressions, functions, theological implications, and stylistic patterns in the Hebrew Bible.… Learn Hebrew

Biblical Hebrew’s verbal system is built not primarily on tense (past, present, future), but on aspect (whether an action is complete or incomplete), modality (the speaker’s intention or attitude), and syntax. The key finite conjugations—Perfect, Imperfect, Wayyiqtol, Weqatal, Imperative, Jussive, and Cohortative—each serve distinct grammatical and discourse functions. Alongside these, the Infinitive Absolute and Infinitive Construct provide non-finite verbal expressions, often conveying emphasis or purpose. This article provides a comprehensive overview of these forms, explaining how they function within biblical narrative, law, and poetry.… Learn Hebrew