Biblical Hebrew expresses possession primarily through two mechanisms: the construct chain (סְמִיכוּת) and pronominal suffixes. The construct chain links two nouns, with the first in construct form and the second in absolute form (e.g., בֵּית מֶלֶךְ, “the house of a king”), while possessive suffixes attach directly to the noun’s construct form (e.g., בֵּיתוֹ, “his house”). These suffixes encode person, gender, and number, and often replace full genitive constructions. They can also appear within extended construct chains (e.g., שֵׁם־בְּנוֹ, “the name of his son”). Morphologically, suffixes reflect the construct state and often modify the noun’s form. Semantically, suffixes tend to convey intimacy or direct possession, while construct chains offer broader relational nuance. Ultimately, possessive suffixes are not alternatives to the construct state but rather its compact, pronominal extension.
Grammatical Ownership in Biblical Hebrew
In Biblical Hebrew, possession is typically expressed in two primary ways: the construct chain (סְמִיכוּת) and pronominal suffixes attached directly to nouns. When studying forms like בֵּיתוֹ (“his house”), one encounters a fascinating intersection of these two methods. This article explores how possessive suffixes interact with construct forms—where they converge, how they differ from genitive chains, and what implications this has for translation and interpretation.
Construct State vs. Possessive Suffixes: The Basics
1. Construct Chain (סמיכות):
A construct chain is formed when two nouns are joined, the first in a construct state and the second in absolute form, expressing a relationship typically of possession or association.
- בֵּית מֶלֶךְ – “a house of a king” or “the king’s house”
2. Possessive Suffixes:
Biblical Hebrew also expresses possession by attaching a pronominal suffix directly to the noun.
- בֵּיתוֹ – “his house” (from בַּיִת + suffix -וֹ)
Both methods show possession, but with important grammatical and functional distinctions.
How Possessive Suffixes Replace Construct Chains
Instead of using a full construct chain like בֵּית הָאִישׁ (“the house of the man”), Hebrew often condenses this using a possessive suffix:
- בֵּיתוֹ – “his house”
Here, the suffix -וֹ (his) replaces the need for a second noun. The possessive suffix carries both gender and number information, and it attaches directly to the construct form of the noun. Notably, this means that even when a possessive suffix is used, the noun remains in a construct-like morphological shape.
Examples:
| Hebrew | Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| בֵּיתוֹ | Construct + 3ms suffix | His house |
| שְׁמוֹ | Construct + 3ms suffix | His name |
| אַחִיךָ | Construct (אָח) + 2ms suffix | Your brother |
| אִשְׁתִּי | Construct (אֵשֶׁת) + 1cs suffix | My wife |
Construct State + Possessive Suffixes in Extended Chains
Possessive suffixes can also be part of longer construct chains, acting as the first link in a broader possessive relationship:
- שֵׁם־בְּנוֹ – “the name of his son”
- אֵשֶׁת־אִישׁוֹ – “the wife of his man” = “his wife” (poetic or archaic)
In these constructions, the suffix attaches to the second word in the chain, with the first remaining in the construct state.
Morphological Features of Possessive Suffixes
Singular Possessive Suffixes:
- -י “my” (1cs) → בֵּיתִי
- -ךָ “your” (2ms) → בֵּיתְךָ
- -ךְ “your” (2fs) → בֵּיתֵךְ
- -ו “his” (3ms) → בֵּיתוֹ
- -ה “her” (3fs) → בֵּיתָהּ
Plural Possessive Suffixes:
- -נוּ “our” (1cp) → בֵּיתֵנוּ
- -כֶם “your” (2mp) → בֵּיתְכֶם
- -כֶן “your” (2fp) → בֵּיתְכֶן
- -ם “their” (3mp) → בֵּיתָם
- -ן “their” (3fp) → בֵּיתָן
The suffixes usually follow the construct form of the noun—often shortened or modified (e.g., אָבִי, “my father” from אָב).
Semantic Implications
The choice between a construct chain and a suffix can affect nuance:
- Construct chain: May emphasize relationship, origin, or association (e.g., בֵּית־אֱלֹהִים – “house of God”).
- Suffix: More direct, often more intimate or relational (e.g., בֵּיתוֹ – “his house”).
In poetry or prophecy, suffix forms are often preferred for their compactness and rhythm, while construct chains offer greater syntactic flexibility.
Summary: A Suffix in Place of a Chain
In Biblical Hebrew, the pronominal suffix is not merely a convenient shorthand—it is a morphologically bound possessive that arises from the construct paradigm itself. Rather than standing in contrast to the construct chain, it is often built upon it. When you read a word like בֵּיתוֹ, you are encountering a miniature construct chain fused with a personal marker—a grammatical gem where ancient Hebrew expresses ownership in a single, compact form.
