Possessive Suffixes and the Construct State in Biblical Hebrew

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.

About Biblical Hebrew

Learn Biblical Hebrew Online. Studying Biblical Hebrew online opens a direct window into the sacred texts of the Hebrew Bible, allowing readers to engage with Scripture in its original linguistic and cultural context. By learning the language in which much of the Tanakh was written, students can move beyond translations and discover the nuanced meanings, poetic structures, and theological depth embedded in the Hebrew text. Online learning provides flexible and accessible avenues to build these skills, whether through self-paced modules, guided instruction, or interactive resources. As one grows in proficiency, the richness of biblical narratives, laws, prayers, and prophetic visions comes to life with renewed clarity, making the study of Biblical Hebrew not only an intellectual pursuit but a deeply rewarding spiritual and cultural journey.
This entry was posted in Theology. Bookmark the permalink.

Comments are closed.