וּתְקַעְתֶּ֖ם תְּרוּעָ֑ה וְנָֽסְעוּ֙ הַֽמַּחֲנֹ֔ות הַחֹנִ֖ים קֵֽדְמָה׃
(Numbers 10:5)
And you shall blow a blast, and the camps that encamp to the east shall set out.
This short verse is packed with action and movement. It teaches us how Biblical Hebrew expresses commands, results, and direction—all in under 10 words! You’ll learn how Hebrew uses verb forms, noun modifiers, and word order to build rhythm and meaning.
Understanding the Flow
The verse has two major actions:
- You (plural) shall blow a blast – an instruction for what the priests should do.
- They (the eastern camps) shall set out – what happens next.
Even though the verbs look like the “past tense” in form, Hebrew often uses these perfect forms to describe future actions—especially in instructions and ritual sequences. Hebrew doesn’t always use tense the way English does!
Word-by-Word Breakdown
| Hebrew Word | English Meaning | Part of Speech | Grammar & Notes | Role in Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| וּתְקַעְתֶּ֖ם | and you shall blow | Verb | Root: ת־ק־ע (“to blow [a horn]”) Form: Qal perfect, 2nd person masculine plural Prefixed by וּ = “and” Function: Future/instructional command, typical of priestly texts |
Primary command directed to the priests |
| תְּרוּעָ֑ה | a blast (of sound) | Noun | Feminine singular; refers to a trumpet blast or alarm call | Direct object of the verb “you shall blow” |
| וְנָסְעוּ | and they shall set out | Verb | Root: נ־ס־ע (“to journey / set out”) Form: Qal perfect, 3rd person masculine plural Prefixed by וְ = “and” Function: Future-sequential result of the trumpet blast |
Describes the reaction of the camps |
| הַמַּחֲנֹות | the camps | Noun (plural) | Plural of מַחֲנֶה (camp), with definite article הַ | Subject of the verb “shall set out” |
| הַחֹנִים | who encamp | Participle (verb-as-adjective) | Qal participle, masculine plural of ח־נ־ה Used here to describe the camps (“those who are encamped”) |
Modifier: tells us which camps |
| קֵדְמָה | eastward / on the east | Directional adverb | From root ק־ד־ם meaning “east / in front” Feminine directional ending -ָה indicates movement or location Can mean “toward the east” or “on the east side” |
Location of the camps who respond |
Hebrew Grammar Highlights
- Perfect Forms Used for Instruction: Even though וּתְקַעְתֶּם and וְנָסְעוּ look like “past tense,” Hebrew often uses the perfect to express commands and sequences in non-narrative contexts.
- Participles as Descriptors: הַחֹנִים works like an adjective. It literally means “those who are camping.”
- Directional Words: קֵדְמָה doesn’t mean just “east,” but “eastward” or “on the east side”—an important distinction when reading geographical instructions.
Tips for Beginners
- Don’t assume all past-looking verbs are past! Hebrew verbs shift meaning based on context and usage, especially in legal or ritual texts.
- Prefixes and suffixes are keys: The -תֶּם ending means “you (plural),” and the וְ prefix can mean “and,” “then,” or signal a sequence.
- Participles bridge action and description: הַחֹנִים (encamping) links verb and noun—it’s both descriptive and action-based.
- Pay attention to direction: Words like קֵדְמָה pack both location and movement into one elegant form.
Hebrew in Motion
This verse from Numbers is a prime example of sacred choreography: a command is given, a blast is sounded, and the camps begin to move—orderly, purposeful, and in divine rhythm. The language follows that rhythm, with action-first verbs, poetic direction words, and precise verbal cues.
You’ve just learned how Biblical Hebrew captures cause and effect, instruction and reaction, all through tightly structured forms. That’s the beauty of Torah syntax—it moves with the people it describes.
You’re not just studying words—you’re learning to read movement.
