Tag Archives: Genesis

The Struggle Within: Analyzing וַיִּתְרֹצֲצוּ in Genesis 25:22

Posted on March 22, 2025 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Genesis 25:22: Prenatal Prophecy and Maternal Distress Genesis 25:22 presents a moment of profound mystery: Rivqah experiences intense internal movement during pregnancy. The verb וַיִּתְרֹצֲצוּ describes what the unborn children are doing within her, and her response leads to a divine oracle that shapes biblical history. This analysis focuses on the verb וַיִּתְרֹצֲצוּ, a rare and expressive form, exploring its grammatical makeup, root meaning, and theological implications in the story of Yaʿaqov and ʿEsav. וַיִּתְרֹֽצֲצ֤וּ הַבָּנִים֙ בְּקִרְבָּ֔הּ וַתֹּ֣אמֶר אִם־כֵּ֔ן לָ֥מָּה זֶּ֖ה אָנֹ֑כִי וַתֵּ֖לֶךְ לִדְרֹ֥שׁ אֶת־יְהוָֽה׃ Grammatical Analysis of וַיִּתְרֹצֲצוּ The verb וַיִּתְרֹצֲצוּ is from the root רָצַץ (r-ts-ts), meaning “to crush, press, struggle.”… Learn Hebrew
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The Use of Cohortative and Jussive Forms in Genesis 11:3

Posted on March 19, 2025 by Biblical Hebrew
Genesis 11:3 in Hebrew וַיֹּאמְר֞וּ אִ֣ישׁ אֶל־רֵעֵ֗הוּ הָ֚בָה נִלְבְּנָ֣ה לְבֵנִ֔ים וְנִשְׂרְפָ֖ה לִשְׂרֵפָ֑ה וַתְּהִ֨י לָהֶ֤ם הַלְּבֵנָה֙ לְאָ֔בֶן וְהַ֣חֵמָ֔ר הָיָ֥ה לָהֶ֖ם לַחֹֽמֶר׃ Introduction to the Verse Genesis 11:3 describes the conversation of the people as they prepared to build the Tower of Babel. This verse contains cohortative and jussive verb forms, which are significant for understanding the mood of command, encouragement, and collective action. Understanding the Cohortative and Jussive Forms 1. What is the Cohortative? – The cohortative is a first-person verb form in Biblical Hebrew that expresses intent, encouragement, or self-motivation.… Learn Hebrew
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The God Who Enters the Dream: Analyzing וַיָּבֹא in Genesis 20:3

Posted on April 1, 2020 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Genesis 20:3: Divine Encounter in the Night Genesis 20:3 records a striking moment in the story of Abraham and Abimelek, when God directly intervenes by appearing to Abimelek in a dream. The verse begins with the verb וַיָּבֹא (vayyāvo), meaning “and He came,” referring to God’s sudden and unannounced entry into the dream world of a foreign king. This analysis explores the grammatical, narra2tive, and theological dimensions of this verb and how it contributes to the theme of divine sovereignty and protection.… Learn Hebrew
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Sojourning Between Worlds: Analyzing וַיָּגָר in Genesis 20:1

Posted on February 1, 2020 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Genesis 20:1: Abraham’s Movement into Foreign Territory Genesis 20:1 opens a new episode in the Abrahamic narrative, depicting his movement toward the Negev region and his temporary residence in Gerar, the Philistine territory ruled by Abimelek. The key verb וַיָּגָר (“and he sojourned”) does more than describe geographic relocation—it carries legal, social, and theological weight. This analysis focuses on וַיָּגָר, a term that consistently marks the status of a non-native dweller—a theme central to the identity of the patriarchs.… Learn Hebrew
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The Imperative לֶךְ־לְךָ and the Command to Abram in Genesis 12:1

Posted on December 1, 2018 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Genesis 12:1 Genesis 12:1 marks a pivotal moment in biblical history, where יְהוָה (YHWH) commands אַבְרָם (Avram, “Abram”) to leave his homeland and journey to an unknown land. The grammatical structure of this verse is significant, particularly the imperative phrase לֶךְ־לְךָ (lekh-lekha, “Go for yourself” or “Go forth”). The use of the imperative, the prepositional phrases, and the relative clause provides insight into the linguistic and theological depth of this divine calling. וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֶל־אַבְרָ֔ם לֶךְ־לְךָ֛ מֵאַרְצְךָ֥ וּמִמֹּֽולַדְתְּךָ֖ וּמִבֵּ֣ית אָבִ֑יךָ אֶל־הָאָ֖רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַרְאֶֽךָּ׃ Analysis of Key Words/Phrases 1.… Learn Hebrew
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The Use of Collective Singular and Plural Agreement in Genesis 11:1

Posted on November 1, 2018 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Genesis 11:1 Genesis 11:1 introduces the Tower of Babel narrative by describing the state of human language before divine intervention. The verse contains an interesting grammatical interplay between singular and plural forms, particularly in שָׂפָ֣ה אֶחָ֑ת (safah eḥat, “one language”) and דְּבָרִ֖ים אֲחָדִֽים (devarim aḥadim, “unified words” or “same speech”). These constructions demonstrate how Biblical Hebrew expresses collective unity while maintaining distinctions between singular and plural agreement. וַֽיְהִ֥י כָל־הָאָ֖רֶץ שָׂפָ֣ה אֶחָ֑ת וּדְבָרִ֖ים אֲחָדִֽים׃ Analysis of Key Words/Phrases 1. וַֽיְהִ֥י כָל־הָאָ֖רֶץ (vayhi kol-ha’aretz) – “And all the earth was” (wayyiqtol construction) 2.… Learn Hebrew
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The Structure of וַיִּוָּלְד֥וּ and the Concept of Genealogy in Genesis 10:1

Posted on October 1, 2018 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Genesis 10:1 Genesis 10:1 serves as an introduction to the Table of Nations, listing the descendants of שֵׁם, חָם, וָיָפֶת (Shem, Ḥam, and Yafet), the sons of נֹחַ (Noaḥ), who repopulated the earth after the Flood. This verse features significant grammatical elements, including the Niphal verb וַיִּוָּלְד֥וּ, which expresses passive action in Biblical Hebrew. Understanding the Niphal stem and how Hebrew genealogical formulas function provides insight into the structure and theological significance of biblical lineage records. וְאֵ֨לֶּה֙ תֹּולְדֹ֣ת בְּנֵי־נֹ֔חַ שֵׁ֖ם חָ֣ם וָיָ֑פֶת וַיִּוָּלְד֥וּ לָהֶ֛ם בָּנִ֖ים אַחַ֥ר הַמַּבּֽוּל׃ Analysis of Key Words/Phrases 1.… Learn Hebrew
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The Use of Imperatives and Divine Blessing in Genesis 9:1

Posted on September 1, 2018 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Genesis 9:1 Genesis 9:1 marks a new beginning after the Flood, where אֱלֹהִים (Elohim, “God”) blesses נֹחַ (Noaḥ, “Noah”) and his sons, giving them a command similar to that given to Adam and Eve in Genesis 1:28. This verse prominently features imperative verbs (פְּרוּ, רְבוּ, מִלְאוּ – “be fruitful, multiply, and fill”), which express direct commands. The verse also includes a wayyiqtol form (וַיְבָ֣רֶךְ, “And He blessed”), indicating sequential divine action. וַיְבָ֣רֶךְ אֱלֹהִ֔ים אֶת־נֹ֖חַ וְאֶת־בָּנָ֑יו וַיֹּ֧אמֶר לָהֶ֛ם פְּר֥וּ וּרְב֖וּ וּמִלְא֥וּ אֶת־הָאָֽרֶץ׃ Analysis of Key Words/Phrases 1.… Learn Hebrew
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The Use of Wayyiqtol and Divine Remembrance in Genesis 8:1

Posted on August 1, 2018 by Biblical Hebrew
וַיִּזְכֹּ֤ר אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶת־נֹ֔חַ וְאֵ֤ת כָּל־הַֽחַיָּה֙ וְאֶת־כָּל־הַבְּהֵמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר אִתֹּ֖ו בַּתֵּבָ֑ה וַיַּעֲבֵ֨ר אֱלֹהִ֥ים ר֨וּחַ֙ עַל־הָאָ֔רֶץ וַיָּשֹׁ֖כּוּ הַמָּֽיִם׃ (Genesis 8:1) And God remembered Noah and every living thing and all the animals that were with him in the ark and God caused a wind to pass over the earth and the waters subsided. Introduction to Genesis 8:1 Genesis 8:1 marks a pivotal moment in the Flood narrative, where אֱלֹהִים (Elohim, “God”) actively intervenes by remembering נֹחַ (Noaḥ, “Noah”) and the creatures on the ark.… Learn Hebrew
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Biblical Hebrew Grammar: Wayyiqtol and Construct Chains in Genesis 2:7

Posted on July 22, 2010 by Biblical Hebrew
Overview Hebrew Verse Literal Translation Morphological Analysis Syntax and Word Order The Wayyiqtol Verb Form Construct Chains and Word Pairs Theological and Linguistic Insights Exercises Summary Overview This in-depth Biblical Hebrew lesson is based solely on the Hebrew of Genesis 2:7. It explores two key grammatical features foundational to Biblical Hebrew: the wayyiqtol verb form, which expresses narrative past tense, and the construct chain, which binds nouns into possessive or descriptive relationships. These structures are essential for students advancing from beginner to intermediate levels of Biblical Hebrew grammar.… Learn Hebrew
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