-
Recent Articles
- Scroll Marginalia: Weighted Syntax and Sanctified Measures (Numbers 7:31, Onkelos)
- “His Hands Shall Bring the Fire-Offerings”: Learning Sacred Hebrew Through Priestly Ritual
- Grammar of Offering: Enumerative Syntax and Appositional Closure
- The Nation That Would Not Listen: Relative Clauses, Coordinated Verbs, and Elliptical Judgment
- Wisdom in Layers: Demonstrative Syntax and Infinitive Purpose in Qohelet
- The Syntax of Sacred Prohibition: Blood in Leviticus 7:26
- From Exodus to Exhortation: The Syntax of Divine Persistence
- Gathered for Judgment: Syntactic Accumulation in Joshua 7:24
- Flying into the Trap: Syntactic Irony in Proverbs 7:23
- Little by Little: Divine Delay and Wild Beasts
- “And the Fish Died and the Nile Stank”: A Hebrew Lesson from Egypt’s First Plague
- The Subtle Grammar of Possession in Biblical Hebrew
Categories
Archives
The Use of the Cohortative and Jussive in Saul’s Final Request in 1 Samuel 31:4
Introduction to 1 Samuel 31:4
1 Samuel 31:4 records the tragic final moments of King Saul, where he commands his armor-bearer to kill him, fearing humiliation at the hands of the Philistines. This verse features the cohortative and jussive verb forms, which express Saul’s urgent request and the armor-bearer’s refusal. The interplay between cohortative (self-motivated volition) and jussive (third-person commands) provides insight into Saul’s desperation and his attempt to maintain control over his fate.
This study will analyze the grammatical function of the cohortative and jussive in Saul’s plea, the syntactic parallelism of the verbs, and the theological implications of his self-inflicted death.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Grammar, Theology
Tagged 1 Samuel 31:4
Comments Off on The Use of the Cohortative and Jussive in Saul’s Final Request in 1 Samuel 31:4
Volitional Modality and Antithetical Parallelism in Psalm 25:3
Introduction to Psalm 25:3: Volition, Shame, and Contrast in Hebrew Poetry
Psalm 25:3 presents a theological contrast between two groups: those who קִוּוּ (“wait” or “hope”) for YHWH, and those who act treacherously. The grammatical structure distinguishes these groups by using volitional imperfect forms (expressing desire or prediction), strong negation, and poetic parallelism. This analysis will explore how Hebrew syntax, verb aspect, and poetic structure express profound theological and moral distinctions.
גַּ֣ם כָּל־֭קֹוֶיךָ לֹ֣א יֵבֹ֑שׁוּ יֵ֝בֹ֗שׁוּ הַבֹּוגְדִ֥ים רֵיקָֽם׃
This lesson is based on Psalm 25:3, focusing on the topic: ‘Volitional Modality and Antithetical Parallelism in Hebrew: The Syntax of Hope and Shame.’… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Grammar
Tagged Psalm 25:3
Comments Off on Volitional Modality and Antithetical Parallelism in Psalm 25:3
The Syntax of Glory Overflowing: A Grammatical Vision in Habakkuk 2:14
כִּ֚י תִּמָּלֵ֣א הָאָ֔רֶץ לָדַ֖עַת אֶת־כְּבֹ֣וד יְהוָ֑ה כַּמַּ֖יִם יְכַסּ֥וּ עַל־יָֽם (Habakkuk 2:14)
Overview: Syntax as Prophetic Fulfillment
Habakkuk 2:14 delivers a breathtaking vision of divine glory flooding the earth. The verse’s structure combines prophetic perfects, infinitives of purpose, and vivid similes to describe a universal revelation of YHWH’s presence. The syntax is both expansive and precise—mirroring the subject it conveys.
Clause Structure: One Vision, Two Clauses
The verse consists of two coordinated clauses:
1. כִּ֚י תִּמָּלֵ֣א הָאָ֔רֶץ לָדַ֖עַת אֶת־כְּבֹ֣וד יְהוָ֑ה
“For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of YHWH”
2.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Syntax
Tagged Habakkuk 2:14
Comments Off on The Syntax of Glory Overflowing: A Grammatical Vision in Habakkuk 2:14
Between the Suns and the Completion of Labor: Aspect and Construct Syntax in Targum Jonathan on Genesis 2:2
וּשְׁלִים יְיָ בְּיוֹמָא שְׁבִיעָאָה עֲבִידְתֵּיהּ דְעָבַד וְעִישַרְתֵּי עִיסְקִין דִבְרָא בֵּינֵי שִׁמְשְׁתָא וְנַח בְּיוֹמָא שְׁבִיעָאָה מִכָּל עֲבִידְתֵּיהּ דְעָבָד
And the LORD completed on the seventh day His work which He had done, and He enriched the operations of creation between the suns, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done.
Verse Selection and Focus
This richly interpretive rendering of Genesis 2:2 by Targum Jonathan offers fertile ground for grammatical analysis. We will focus on two key features:
1.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Aramaic
Tagged Genesis 2:2
Comments Off on Between the Suns and the Completion of Labor: Aspect and Construct Syntax in Targum Jonathan on Genesis 2:2
“Yat” and the Marking of Definiteness: The Syntax of Direct Objects in Targum Onkelos
בְּקַדְמִין בְּרָא יְיָ יָת שְׁמַיָּא וְיָת אַרְעָא
In the beginning, the LORD created the heavens and the earth
Opening Focus: Why Study יָת?
In Biblical Aramaic, and especially in Targum Onkelos, the particle יָת (yat) plays a critical grammatical role. It marks definite direct objects, a feature not found in the same way in Biblical Hebrew. The verse בְּקַדְמִין בְּרָא יְיָ יָת שְׁמַיָּא וְיָת אַרְעָא (Genesis 1:1 in Targum Onkelos) beautifully demonstrates this phenomenon, containing two uses of יָת that frame the syntax of the act of creation.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Aramaic
Tagged Genesis 1:1
Comments Off on “Yat” and the Marking of Definiteness: The Syntax of Direct Objects in Targum Onkelos
The Simplicity and Subtlety of Hebrew Verbal Morphology
Overview of the Hebrew Verbal System
The Biblical Hebrew verb is both deceptively simple and powerfully expressive. Unlike Indo-European languages, which typically have a rich array of tenses and moods, Biblical Hebrew operates with remarkable economy. It uses just two core tense-forms—Perfect and Imperfect—alongside an Imperative (in the active voice), two Infinitives (construct and absolute), and a single Participle. These limited morphological categories are leveraged syntactically to express a vast array of temporal, modal, and aspectual nuances.
The basic simplicity of form in Hebrew is not a deficiency but rather a testament to its reliance on context, discourse structure, and syntactic positioning to convey distinctions of time and mood.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Grammar
Comments Off on The Simplicity and Subtlety of Hebrew Verbal Morphology
Perfect Aspect and Divine Judgment in Isaiah 13:11: The Grammar of Prophetic Certainty
Introduction: Oracular Certainty in the Context of Global Judgment
Isaiah 13 forms part of the so-called “Oracles Against the Nations,” focusing here on Babylon. Verse 11 stands as a divine pronouncement of cosmic justice, where YHWH himself announces judgment on the world and its arrogant rulers. The verse reads:
וּפָקַדְתִּ֤י עַל־תֵּבֵל֙ רָעָ֔ה וְעַל־רְשָׁעִ֖ים עֲוֹנָ֑ם וְהִשְׁבַּתִּי֙ גְּאֹ֣ון זֵדִ֔ים וְגַאֲוַ֥ת עָרִיצִ֖ים אַשְׁפִּֽיל׃
I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will bring an end to the pride of the arrogant, and I will humble the haughtiness of tyrants.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Grammar
Tagged Isaiah 13:11
Comments Off on Perfect Aspect and Divine Judgment in Isaiah 13:11: The Grammar of Prophetic Certainty
“They Were Among the Rebels Against the Light”: Syntax of Moral Rebellion in Job 24:13
Introduction: Darkness, Defiance, and the Syntax of Rejection
Job 24:13 marks the beginning of a unit within Job’s speech cataloguing moral evildoers who operate in secret, particularly under the cover of darkness. This verse serves as a heading of sorts for a poetic meditation on moral inversion—a world where justice seems delayed and the wicked thrive unseen. The grammar and structure of the verse intensify its theological charge:
הֵ֤מָּה הָיוּ֮ בְּֽמֹרְדֵ֫י־אֹ֥ור לֹֽא־הִכִּ֥ירוּ דְרָכָ֑יו וְלֹ֥א יָ֝שְׁב֗וּ בִּנְתִיבֹתָֽיו׃
They were among those who rebel against the light; they did not recognize its ways, nor did they remain in its paths.… Learn Hebrew
Repetition, Aspect, and Poetic Judgment in Psalm 96:13
Introduction: Eschatological Expectation in Liturgical Poetry
Psalm 96 celebrates the kingship of YHWH and His coming judgment over all the earth. The final verse, 96:13, brings the psalm to a climax with a powerful prophetic declaration, repeated for emphasis:
לִפְנֵ֤י יְהוָ֨ה כִּ֬י בָ֗א כִּ֥י בָא֮ לִשְׁפֹּ֪ט הָ֫אָ֥רֶץ יִשְׁפֹּֽט־תֵּבֵ֥ל בְּצֶ֑דֶק וְ֝עַמִּ֗ים בֶּאֱמוּנָתֹֽו׃
Before the LORD, for He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth! He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with His faithfulness.
The verse features the poetic repetition of כִּי בָא (“for He is coming”) and the use of aspectually significant verb forms that frame the judgment of YHWH as both imminent and certain.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Grammar, Theology
Tagged Psalm 96:13
Comments Off on Repetition, Aspect, and Poetic Judgment in Psalm 96:13
The Syntax of Substitution: Grammatical Structures of Redemption in Exodus 13:13
וְכָל־פֶּ֤טֶר חֲמֹר֙ תִּפְדֶּ֣ה בְשֶׂ֔ה וְאִם־לֹ֥א תִפְדֶּ֖ה וַעֲרַפְתֹּ֑ו וְכֹ֨ל בְּכֹ֥ור אָדָ֛ם בְּבָנֶ֖יךָ תִּפְדֶּֽה׃ (Exodus 13:13)
Overview: Ritual Regulation and Its Syntax
Exodus 13:13 establishes sacrificial and redemptive protocol for firstborn males—both animal and human. The syntax of this verse reflects legal clarity, using conditional structure, modal imperatives, and tightly bound coordination. The rhythm and form mirror the seriousness of the command and the theological principle of substitutionary redemption.
Clause Structure: Legal Sequence with a Conditional Middle
The verse contains three main clauses:
1.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Syntax
Tagged Exodus 13:13
Comments Off on The Syntax of Substitution: Grammatical Structures of Redemption in Exodus 13:13