Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to Job 11:1 Job 11:1 introduces a speech by צֹפַר הַנַּעֲמָתִי (Tsofar ha-Na‘amati), one of Job’s friends. The verse consists of two key verbs, וַיַּעַן (vayya‘an, "and he answered") and וַיֹּאמַר (vayyo’mer, "and he said"), both of which follow the standard Biblical Hebrew narrative verb structure. These forms are part of the wayyiqtol sequence, which is crucial for the flow of Biblical narrative. וַ֭יַּעַן צֹפַ֥ר הַֽנַּעֲמָתִ֗י Read more [...]

Introduction to Nehemiah 10:33 Nehemiah 10:33 describes various offerings and sacrifices in the context of temple service. The verse contains multiple construct chains (smikhut), a fundamental grammatical feature in Biblical Hebrew. These construct chains indicate possessive or descriptive relationships between nouns. Understanding their structure is crucial for accurate translation and interpretation of the verse. לְלֶ֣חֶם הַֽמַּעֲרֶ֡כֶת וּמִנְחַ֣ת הַתָּמִ֣יד Read more [...]

Introduction to Isaiah 2:3 Isaiah 2:3 is part of a prophetic vision describing the nations streaming to Zion to learn the ways of YHWH. The verse contains cohortative verbs, which express exhortation, encouragement, or collective determination. The phrase "Let us go up to the mountain of YHWH" is central to the theme of universal pilgrimage and divine instruction. Additionally, the parallel structure between walking and learning reflects the Hebraic connection between obedience and revelation. This Read more [...]

Introduction to Exodus 33:1 Exodus 33:1 occurs after the sin of the golden calf, when YHWH commands Moshe to lead the Israelites toward the Promised Land. The verse contains an imperative verb, several direct and indirect objects, and a relative clause modifying the divine promise to the patriarchs. The use of the imperative לֵךְ ("Go!") and the command to ascend (עֲלֵה) conveys urgency and divine authority. Additionally, the repetition of אֲשֶׁר introduces relative clauses that define Read more [...]

Introduction to Job 7:1 Job 7:1 employs military imagery and time-based expressions to describe human existence. The phrase "הֲלֹא־צָבָ֣א לֶאֱנֹ֣ושׁ עַל־אָ֑רֶץ" ("Is not man's life a struggle on earth?") draws on the metaphor of a soldier's service, equating life with hardship and labor. Additionally, the phrase "וְכִימֵ֖י שָׂכִ֣יר יָמָֽיו" ("and like the days of a hired worker are his days") compares human life to that of a hired laborer, Read more [...]

Introduction to 1 Kings 6:1 1 Kings 6:1 provides a precise chronological marker, situating the construction of Solomon’s Temple in relation to the Exodus from Egypt. This verse is significant because it demonstrates how Biblical Hebrew expresses time through temporal clauses, specific numerical expressions, and verb structures. The phrase "וַיְהִ֣י בִשְׁמֹונִ֣ים שָׁנָ֣ה וְאַרְבַּ֣ע מֵאֹ֣ות שָׁנָ֡ה" ("And it was in the 480th year") highlights Read more [...]