Leviticus 11:14
וְאֶת־הַ֨דָּאָ֔ה וְאֶת־הָאַיָּ֖ה לְמִינָֽהּ׃
1. Transliteration
Veʾet-haddāʾāh veʾet-hāʾayyāh lemināh.
2. Literal Translation
And the kite, and the falcon according to its kind.
3. Grammar Focus: Repeated וְאֶת Marks Each Item
This short verse is built around repeated marking:
וְאֶת־הַדָּאָה וְאֶת־הָאַיָּה
The little word אֶת marks a definite direct object. It usually does not need a separate English translation, but it helps the Hebrew reader see that a specific item is being listed.
The prefix וְ means “and.” So וְאֶת is like saying, “and [the marked item].” In a list, this creates a careful, item-by-item rhythm.
4. The Verse as a Tiny List Scroll
| List Marker | Hebrew Item | Beginner Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| וְאֶת־ | הַדָּאָה | and the kite |
| וְאֶת־ | הָאַיָּה | and the falcon |
| לְ־ | מִינָהּ | according to its kind |
This is list-style Hebrew. The verse does not explain or narrate. It names each item carefully, using repeated markers to keep the reader moving through the list.
5. Vocabulary Builder: Birds, Kind, and Classification
| Hebrew Word | Pronunciation | Core Root & Meaning | Ancient Concrete Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| הַדָּאָה | haddāʾāh | A bird name, often understood as “kite” | A bird of prey is named as part of a careful dietary list. |
| הָאַיָּה | hāʾayyāh | A bird name, often understood as “falcon” or “hawk” | The doubled sound gives the name a strong, memorable shape. |
| לְמִינָהּ | lemināh | From מִין, “kind, species, category” | The text groups living creatures by type, like sorting them into their proper families. |
6. Syntax Insight: The Final Word Groups the List
The phrase לְמִינָהּ means “according to its kind.” It is made of three parts:
| Part | Meaning | Beginner Insight |
|---|---|---|
| לְ־ | to / according to | A small prefix attached to the front of the word. |
| מִין | kind / category | The basic noun idea. |
| ־ָהּ | its / her | A suffix attached to the end, showing possession. |
This one word is a perfect beginner example of how Hebrew builds meaning by attaching pieces to a core word: prefix + noun + suffix.
7. Manuscript Observation: A Short Verse with Strong Repetition
Even though this verse is brief, it has a clear rhythm:
וְאֶת … וְאֶת …
The repetition helps the reader hear the list as organized and deliberate. Hebrew often uses repeated small words to create structure. For beginners, this is very helpful: when you see repeated וְאֶת, you can expect another listed object.
8. Beginner Practice Activity: Break the Final Word Apart
Look at לְמִינָהּ. Match each part to its meaning.
| Hebrew Element | Your Discovery |
|---|---|
| לְ־ | What does this prefix suggest? |
| מִין | What is the core noun? |
| ־ָהּ | What does this suffix show? |
Click to Reveal the Scribal Answer
Answer: לְ־ means “to” or “according to,” מִין means “kind,” and ־ָהּ means “its/her.” Together, לְמִינָהּ means “according to its kind.”
This is a simple but powerful Hebrew pattern: a prefix at the front, a noun in the middle, and a suffix at the end.
Reading the Small Markers Like a Scribe
This tiny verse teaches a big beginner lesson. Hebrew meaning is often carried by small attached pieces: וְ for “and,” אֶת for marking the object, לְ־ for direction or category, and ־ָהּ for possession.
The verse is not a story scene. It is a careful list. But even a list has rhythm, structure, and grammar. The repeated וְאֶת marks each bird, while לְמִינָהּ gathers the phrase into classification.
For beginners, this is the joy of reading Hebrew slowly: even the shortest lines can reveal how the language attaches, marks, and organizes meaning with precision.
