Tag Archives: Nehemiah

“These Are the Heads of the Priests”: Apposition and Leadership Lists in Neḥemyah 12:7

Posted on December 7, 2023 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Neḥemyah 12:7: Structuring Authority Through Syntactic Chains Neḥemyah 12:7 is part of a carefully preserved genealogical and administrative record. These priestly lists served to validate religious authority and temple function during the post-exilic period. The phrase אֵ֣לֶּה רָאשֵׁ֧י הַכֹּהֲנִ֛ים וַאֲחֵיהֶ֖ם בִּימֵ֥י יֵשׁוּעַ represents a structured nominative chain, where multiple noun phrases are placed in succession, functioning together as a formal identification and appositional structure. This article explores how Biblical Hebrew uses such chains to organize information, especially in administrative or genealogical contexts.… Learn Hebrew
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The Hifil Verb וַיַּלְעֵג in Nehemiah 4:1

Posted on April 1, 2019 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Nehemiah 4:1 Nehemiah 4:1 describes the reaction of Sanballat upon hearing that the Israelites were rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. His response is one of anger and mockery, as captured by the Hifil verb וַיַּלְעֵג (vayyilʿēg). This verb is key to understanding the intensity and direction of his scorn, as the Hifil stem often implies causative action. This analysis will explore the morphology, syntactic function, and semantic implications of וַיַּלְעֵג in Biblical Hebrew. וַיְהִ֞י כַּאֲשֶׁ֧ר שָׁמַ֣ע סַנְבַלַּ֗ט כִּֽי־אֲנַ֤חְנוּ בֹונִים֙ אֶת־הַ֣חֹומָ֔ה וַיִּ֣חַר לֹ֔ו וַיִּכְעַ֖ס הַרְבֵּ֑ה וַיַּלְעֵ֖ג עַל־הַיְּהוּדִֽים׃ Analysis of Key Words/Phrases The Hifil verb וַיַּלְעֵג (vayyilʿēg) appears in the phrase: וַיַּלְעֵ֖ג עַל־הַיְּהוּדִֽים This phrase consists of: וַיַּלְעֵג (vayyilʿēg) – “He mocked” (Hifil verb).… Learn Hebrew
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