Tag Archives: Judges 8:10

וְזֶ֨בַח וְצַלְמֻנָּ֜ע בַּקַּרְקֹ֗ר וּמַחֲנֵיהֶ֤ם עִמָּם֙ כַּחֲמֵ֤שֶׁת עָשָׂר֙ אֶ֔לֶף כֹּ֚ל הַנֹּ֣ותָרִ֔ים מִכֹּ֖ל מַחֲנֵ֣ה בְנֵי־קֶ֑דֶם וְהַנֹּ֣פְלִ֔ים מֵאָ֨ה וְעֶשְׂרִ֥ים אֶ֛לֶף אִ֖ישׁ שֹׁ֥לֵֽף חָֽרֶב׃ (Judges 8:10) This verse unfolds like a battlefield report, loaded with proper names, geographical markers, numerical details, and a closing note of military characterization. Its syntax is dense, a stacking of nominal and participial clauses that serve as a static snapshot rather than a sequential action narrative. Let’s walk through how the grammar structures the scene. 1. Word Order: Stacked Nominals Before Action The opening sequence וְזֶבַח וְצַלְמֻנָּע (and Zebah and Zalmunna) places the subjects first, followed by their location בַּקַּרְקֹר (“in Qarqor”).… Learn Hebrew