Tag Archives: Deuteronomy 4:48

Deuteronomy 4:48 מֵעֲרֹעֵ֞ר אֲשֶׁ֨ר עַל־שְׂפַת־נַ֧חַל אַרְנֹ֛ן וְעַד־הַ֥ר שִׂיאֹ֖ן ה֥וּא חֶרְמֹֽון׃ Starting Point: מֵעֲרֹעֵר מֵעֲרֹעֵר (“from ʿAroʿer”) begins the description of the land’s extent. מִן (“from”) is contracted as מֵ before a guttural letter. עֲרֹעֵר is a known settlement east of the Jordan River, marking the southern starting point of the boundary. Relative Description: אֲשֶׁר עַל־שְׂפַת־נַחַל אַרְנֹן אֲשֶׁר (“which”) introduces a relative clause describing עֲרֹעֵר. עַל־שְׂפַת־נַחַל אַרְנֹן (“upon the bank of the Arnon brook”) specifies the location: עַל — “upon” שְׂפַת — “edge, bank” (construct of שָׂפָה) נַחַל — “wadi, stream” (construct relationship: “bank of the wadi”) אַרְנֹן — the specific wadi/river name The construct chain packs geographic precision into a compact phrase, vividly situating the starting point.… Learn Hebrew