Quiet Binyanim in a Genealogy: How Form Shapes Ancestral Flow

וַֽיְחִי־לֶ֗מֶךְ אַֽחֲרֵי֙ הֹולִידֹ֣ו אֶת־נֹ֔חַ חָמֵ֤שׁ וְתִשְׁעִים֙ שָׁנָ֔ה וַחֲמֵ֥שׁ מֵאֹ֖ת שָׁנָ֑ה וַיֹּ֥ולֶד בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֹֽות׃ (Genesis 5:30)

And Lemekh lived after he had begotten Noaḥ five and ninety years and five hundred years and he begot sons and daughters

Introduction: Rhythm of Life in Repetition

Genesis 5 is a genealogical chapter full of repetition—but repetition with meaning. The verb patterns throughout this list are not arbitrary. In this single verse, we encounter two binyanimQal and Hiphil—that structure the rhythm of life, time, and reproduction. These stems are not flashy, but they’re the grammatical heartbeat of a generational record that moves history forward.

Key Verbs and Their Binyanim

1. וַיְחִי — “he lived”
2. הֹולִידֹו — “he had begotten him”
3. וַיֹּולֶד — “he begot”

Let’s unpack the significance of these forms.

1. וַיְחִי — Qal, Imperfect with Vav-Consecutive, 3ms

Root: חָיָה (to live)

Binyan: Qal

Voice: Stative/Active

Function:

– The Qal here expresses existence or continuation.
– Vav-consecutive turns it into a narrative action: “And he lived…”
– It’s the default form in genealogical formulas, marking passage of time.

2. הֹולִידֹו — Hiphil, Infinitive Construct + Suffix

Root: יָלַד (to bear, beget)

Binyan: Hiphil

Voice: Causative

Structure:

– Prefix הֹו־: Hiphil indicator
– Infinitive construct with object suffix ֹו (“him” = Noaḥ)

Meaning: “After he had caused [Noaḥ] to be born”

Why Hiphil?

– In genealogies, Hiphil of יָלַד is the standard form for male begetting.
– The Qal form is more common with women giving birth.
Hiphil = causative procreation: the father causes the child to be born.

3. וַיֹּולֶד — Hiphil, Imperfect with Vav-Consecutive, 3ms

Root: יָלַד

Binyan: Hiphil

Voice: Causative

Function:

– Describes Lemekh fathering other sons and daughters
– The same Hiphil form seen earlier, but now in narrative sequence with vav-consecutive
– The verb ends the verse with a reproductive flourish, continuing the line beyond Noaḥ

Genealogy and the Binyanim

Verb Root Binyan Voice Function Narrative Role
וַיְחִי חיה Qal Stative He lived Marks time after begetting Noaḥ
הֹולִידֹו ילד Hiphil Causative He begot him Marks procreation of Noaḥ
וַיֹּולֶד ילד Hiphil Causative He begot [others] Continues family lineage

How the Binyanim Sustain the Line

In genealogies, the binyanim do the heavy lifting:

Qal verbs like וַיְחִי simply tell us he lived—anchoring the life-span.
Hiphil verbs like הֹולִיד tell us he caused a child to be born—indicating the father’s role in continuation.

These forms, though seemingly repetitive, are ritualized grammar—repetition with meaning. They shape a rhythm where life leads to birth, and birth leads to more life.

Even in lineage lists, the binyanim breathe life into the generations.

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 Binyanim and tagged . Bookmark the permalink.

Comments are closed.