קֹ֥ול יְהוָ֗ה עַל־הַ֫מָּ֥יִם אֵֽל־הַכָּבֹ֥וד הִרְעִ֑ים יְ֝הוָ֗ה עַל־מַ֥יִם רַבִּֽים׃
The voice of YHWH is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders—YHWH upon many waters.
Explanation of Feature
This verse from Psalm 29:3 beautifully showcases two literary and grammatical features common in Hebrew poetry:
1. Poetic parallelism – where the second line echoes or intensifies the meaning of the first.
2. The use of the preposition עַל (“upon”) in prepositional phrases, which can express location, dominion, or movement across.
Both lines describe YHWH’s dominion over waters, reinforcing divine power in the storm imagery.
Examples from Psalm 29:3
| Phrase | Structure | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| קֹול יְהוָה עַל־הַמָּיִם | Noun + prepositional phrase | “The voice of YHWH is upon the waters” – YHWH’s presence or voice over nature |
| יְהוָה עַל־מַיִם רַבִּים | Preposition עַל + construct phrase | “YHWH upon many waters” – repetition for emphasis, poetic intensification |
| אֵל־הַכָּבֹוד הִרְעִים | Noun + verb | “The God of glory thunders” – active description using the verb הִרְעִים (Hifʿil: to cause thunder) |
Related Grammatical Insight
– The preposition עַל in Biblical Hebrew is versatile:
– Spatial: “upon” or “above” (e.g., עַל־הָר – on the mountain)
– Instrumental: “by means of”
– Concerning/about: דִּבֶּר עַל – “he spoke about”
– Poetic parallelism is a defining feature of Hebrew poetry. Here we have synonymous parallelism, where the second line echoes and reinforces the first with slight variation in vocabulary and structure.
Recognizing these structures helps readers interpret poetic imagery and theological assertions with greater nuance, especially in psalms that use nature to portray divine majesty.
