Tag Archives: Deuteronomy

“Forty Stripes He May Give Him, He Shall Not Add”: Legal Limits and Syntactic Boundaries in Deuteronomy 25:3

Posted on March 25, 2025 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Deuteronomy 25:3: Justice, Mercy, and the Limits of Punishment Deuteronomy 25:3 addresses the punishment of a guilty person by flogging, setting a maximum number of lashes to prevent public degradation. This law encapsulates the Torah’s unique combination of justice and compassion, and the Hebrew syntax reflects this balance. The use of the number אַרְבָּעִים (forty), modal verbs such as לֹא יוֹסִיף, and conditional expressions like פֶּן (“lest”) structure the verse with legal precision and moral concern. This article explores how Biblical Hebrew grammar expresses limitation, dignity, and caution within penal law.… Learn Hebrew
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“He May Not Take Her Again”: Modal Syntax and Moral Defilement in Deuteronomy 24:4

Posted on March 24, 2025 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Deuteronomy 24:4: Legal Ethics and the Sanctity of the Land Deuteronomy 24:4 presents one of the Torah’s more intricate marital laws, prohibiting a man from remarrying his former wife after she has married another man and become defiled. The structure of the verse integrates modal grammar (לֹא יוּכַל), legal causality, and theological rationale (“because she has been defiled,” “because it is an abomination before YHWH”). This verse is not only civil legislation; it also communicates a deep concern for holiness, purity, and the spiritual integrity of the land.… Learn Hebrew
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Verb Study: אִיֵּם — “to threaten”

Posted on March 24, 2025 by Biblical Hebrew
The Hebrew verb אִיֵּם (ʾiyyēm) means “to threaten” and is used in the Piel stem. It conveys the act of menacing, intimidating, or making a threat. The root is א־י־ם, and the verb appears in several biblical contexts, especially in poetic and prophetic passages. This verb does not appear frequently, but when it does, it emphasizes a declaration of harm or warning against disobedience. Below is a full conjugation chart for this verb in the Piel binyan, including past, present, future, and imperative forms.… Learn Hebrew
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“Lacked Nothing in the Wilderness”: Divine Sufficiency and the Verb חָסַר in Deuteronomy 2:7

Posted on March 23, 2025 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Deuteronomy 2:7: YHWH’s Provision Over Forty Years As Moshe reflects on the long journey through the wilderness, he emphasizes not just the hardships but also the unrelenting provision of YHWH. The closing declaration—לֹ֥א חָסַ֖רְתָּ דָּבָֽר (“you lacked nothing”)—reveals more than mere survival; it expresses the profound theme of divine sufficiency. This article explores the verb חָסַר, its grammatical form, and its theological resonance in expressing how YHWH accompanied and sustained His people without fail. כִּי֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ בֵּֽרַכְךָ֗ בְּכֹל֙ מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה יָדֶ֔ךָ יָדַ֣ע לֶכְתְּךָ֔ אֶת־הַמִּדְבָּ֥ר הַגָּדֹ֖ל הַזֶּ֑ה זֶ֣ה אַרְבָּעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֗ה יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ עִמָּ֔ךְ לֹ֥א חָסַ֖רְתָּ דָּבָֽר׃ Grammar Spotlight: The Verb חָסַר and Its Form 1.… Learn Hebrew
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“How Can I Bear Alone?”: Analyzing אֵיכָ֥ה אֶשָּׂ֖א לְבַדִּ֑י in Deuteronomy 1:12

Posted on January 1, 2022 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Deuteronomy 1:12: Moses’ Burden of Leadership In Deuteronomy 1:12, Moses recounts to the new generation of Israelites the difficulties he experienced in leading the people alone. The key rhetorical expression אֵיכָ֥ה אֶשָּׂ֖א לְבַדִּ֑י—“How can I bear [it] alone?”—employs interrogative and infinitive syntax to express the overwhelming weight of leadership. This verse sets the stage for the appointment of judges and officials, as Moses highlights the strain caused by the people’s size and conflicts. This article provides a detailed grammatical and syntactic analysis of this key expression.… Learn Hebrew
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“To Do in the Land”: Analyzing לַעֲשֹׂות in Deuteronomy 12:1

Posted on December 1, 2020 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Deuteronomy 12:1: Obedience and Covenant Geography Deuteronomy 12:1 serves as a formal introduction to a new legal section in the book, transitioning from general covenant exhortations to specific cultic and social regulations. Central to this introductory verse is the infinitive construct לַעֲשֹׂות, translated “to do” or “to carry out.” This infinitive, coupled with the verbs תִּשְׁמְרוּן and נָתַן, links obedience to divine legislation with territorial inheritance. In this article, we will analyze the grammar, syntax, and theological meaning of לַעֲשֹׂות within the verse’s broader structure and covenantal setting.… Learn Hebrew
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“And You Shall Love”: Analyzing וְאָהַבְתָּ in Deuteronomy 11:1

Posted on November 1, 2020 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Deuteronomy 11:1: Love as Covenant Loyalty Deuteronomy 11:1 opens with a profound imperative: וְאָהַבְתָּ אֵת יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ – “And you shall love the LORD your God.” This verse sets the tone for the entire chapter by linking covenant obedience with affectionate devotion. The verb אָהַב in this context carries deep theological and relational significance—it is not merely emotional love, but a commitment of loyalty, fidelity, and action. This article explores the grammar, syntax, and covenant theology of וְאָהַבְתָּ as used in Deuteronomy 11:1.… Learn Hebrew
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“Carve for Yourself”: Analyzing פְסָל in Deuteronomy 10:1

Posted on October 1, 2020 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Deuteronomy 10:1: Covenant Renewal and Divine Instruction Deuteronomy 10:1 opens a pivotal moment in Israel’s story—after the breaking of the first tablets, YHWH commands Mosheh to ascend the mountain again and receive a renewed copy of the covenant law. The verb פְסָל (“carve”) is the first directive given. This command encapsulates the urgency of restoration, the tangible embodiment of revelation, and the human participation in the divine process of covenant renewal. In this article, we will explore the grammar, syntax, and theological depth of פְסָל as the opening imperative of divine instruction.… Learn Hebrew
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“You Are Crossing Today”: Analyzing עֹבֵר in Deuteronomy 9:1

Posted on September 1, 2020 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Deuteronomy 9:1: Threshold of Conquest Deuteronomy 9:1 opens with a solemn charge to Israel as they stand poised to cross the Jordan and enter the promised land. The participle עֹבֵר (“you are crossing”) appears in the expression אַתָּ֨ה עֹבֵ֤ר הַיֹּום—“You are crossing today”—conveying not just an action but a moment of theological and national significance. This article explores the grammatical form, verbal aspect, and rhetorical weight of the participle עֹבֵר in this pivotal declaration. שְׁמַ֣ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אַתָּ֨ה עֹבֵ֤ר הַיֹּום֙ אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן לָבֹא֙ לָרֶ֣שֶׁת גֹּויִ֔ם גְּדֹלִ֥ים וַעֲצֻמִ֖ים מִמֶּ֑ךָּ עָרִ֛ים גְּדֹלֹ֥ת וּבְצֻרֹ֖ת בַּשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ Grammatical Analysis of עֹבֵר The verb עֹבֵר is a Qal active participle of the root עָבַר (ʿ-ḇ-r), meaning “to pass over,” “to cross.”… Learn Hebrew
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“The Whole Commandment”: Analyzing כָּל־הַמִּצְוָה in Deuteronomy 8:1

Posted on August 1, 2020 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Deuteronomy 8:1: Total Obedience and Covenant Continuity Deuteronomy 8:1 begins with a striking phrase: כָּל־הַמִּצְוָה, literally “all the commandment.” This phrase captures the heart of the Mosaic theology of obedience: the call to complete and undivided commitment to YHWH’s instruction. This article will explore the grammatical structure, semantic richness, and covenantal implications of the expression כָּל־הַמִּצְוָה, as it appears at the outset of a charge to Israel to remember, obey, and live. כָּל־הַמִּצְוָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָנֹכִ֧י מְצַוְּךָ֛ הַיֹּ֖ום תִּשְׁמְר֣וּן לַעֲשֹׂ֑ות לְמַ֨עַן תִּֽחְי֜וּן וּרְבִיתֶ֗ם וּבָאתֶם֙ וִֽירִשְׁתֶּ֣ם אֶת־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־נִשְׁבַּ֥ע יְהוָ֖ה לַאֲבֹתֵיכֶֽם׃ Grammatical and Syntactical Analysis of כָּל־הַמִּצְוָה The phrase כָּל־הַמִּצְוָה is composed of a construct phrase combining the quantifier כָּל (“all, every”) with the definite noun הַמִּצְוָה (“the commandment”).… Learn Hebrew
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