Participles in Biblical Hebrew: Formation and Function as Verbal Adjectives

In Biblical Hebrew, the participle occupies a fascinating middle ground—functioning both as a verb and an adjective. Derived from verbal roots and shaped by binyanim (verbal stems), participles convey ongoing or habitual action while agreeing with nouns in gender, number, and definiteness. Whether modifying “the man who keeps” or “women keeping His words,” they fuse description with dynamism, allowing Hebrew to depict not just states of being but unfolding realities. By retaining verbal force alongside adjectival form, participles become powerful tools for portraying enduring identity in richly layered syntax.

Participles as Verbal Adjectives: A Dual Nature

In Biblical Hebrew, the participle is a unique verbal form that functions like an adjective while retaining verbal characteristics. It is derived from verbal roots and conveys actions or states that are continuous, habitual, or present. Unlike finite verbs, participles are marked for gender and number, but not for person. This allows them to modify nouns (like adjectives) or serve as predicates (like verbs), especially when describing ongoing or repeated action.

Formation of Participles Across Binyanim

Participles are formed differently according to their binyan (verbal stem). Each stem carries its semantic nuance (simple, intensive, causative, reflexive, etc.), which is preserved in the participle. The following table illustrates participle forms across the most common binyanim using standard roots:

Each form follows a predictable vocalization pattern according to its binyan, with stem-specific prefixes and internal vowels. These forms decline like adjectives and agree in gender and number with the nouns they describe.

Function of Participles as Verbal Adjectives

When used as verbal adjectives, participles describe a noun by associating it with an ongoing or habitual action. They answer the question, “What kind of person or thing is this?” and often translate into English as “the one who [does something]” or as an “-ing” adjective.

• אִישׁ שֹׁמֵר תּוֹרָה – “a man keeping the Torah” / “a man who keeps the Torah”
• מַלְאָךְ מְדַבֵּר עִמִּי – “an angel speaking with me” / “an angel who speaks with me”
• הַנּוֹתֵן לֶחֶם לָרְעֵבִים – “the one who gives bread to the hungry”

In these constructions, the participle modifies the noun like an adjective but maintains verbal force—often with its own object or adverbial modifiers.

Agreement and Syntactic Placement

Participles used attributively follow standard adjective-noun agreement rules in Biblical Hebrew. They must match the noun in:

• Gender: masculine or feminine
• Number: singular or plural
• Definiteness: either both definite or both indefinite

For example:

• הָאִישׁ הַשּׁוֹמֵר – “the man who keeps”
• הָאֲנָשִׁים הַשֹּׁמְרִים – “the men who keep”
• נָשִׁים שֹׁמְרוֹת דְּבָרָיו – “women keeping His words”

If the participle is definite (with הַ), the noun it modifies must also be definite. Likewise, if indefinite, both remain without the article.

Summary of Key Features

The Descriptive Power of Participles

As verbal adjectives, participles enrich Biblical Hebrew by offering flexible, vivid descriptions that combine the precision of grammar with the dynamism of action. Whether describing people, angels, or divine attributes, participles communicate ongoing reality, habitual roles, or enduring identity—firmly rooted in action and fully expressed through form.