The construct state in Biblical Hebrew is a grammatical feature that indicates a relationship between two or more nouns, often translated into English as a possessive or genitive construction (e.g., “the king’s house” or “the house of the king”). This feature is essential for understanding Hebrew syntax, as it frequently appears throughout the Hebrew Bible.
What is the Construct State?
In Biblical Hebrew, nouns can appear in two primary forms: the absolute state and the construct state. The absolute state is the standard, unmarked form of a noun, while the construct state signals that a noun is connected to another noun that follows it, forming a genitive (possessive) relationship.
For example:
בֵּית (beit, “house of”) is the construct state of בַּיִת (bayit, “house”).
In the phrase בֵּית הַמֶּלֶךְ (beit hammelekh, “the house of the king”), the first noun (בֵּית) is in the construct state, indicating that it belongs to the second noun (הַמֶּלֶךְ, “the king”).
Formation of the Construct State
The construct state is formed by modifying the absolute state of a noun. Common changes include:
- Vowel Reduction: Nouns often undergo vowel changes when moving from absolute to construct state. For example, סֵפֶר (sefer, “book”) remains סֵפֶר in the construct state but changes meaning to “book of.”
- Plurals Ending in ־ִים: Masculine plural nouns ending in ־ִים (-im) change to ־ֵי (-ei) in the construct state. For example, דְּבָרִים (devarim, “words”) becomes דִּבְרֵי (divrei, “words of”).
- Possessive Suffixes: When possessive suffixes are added to nouns, they inherently create a construct relationship. For example, סִפְרִי (sifri, “my book”) shows possession.
Functions of the Construct State
1. Possession in Biblical Hebrew
The most common function of the construct state is to express possession or belonging. For instance:
תּוֹרַת יְהוָה – “The law of the LORD” (Psalm 19:8).
Here, תּוֹרַת is the construct form of תּוֹרָה (torah, “law”), indicating that the law belongs to יְהוָה (YHWH).
2. Description and Specification
The construct state can also provide additional description or specification. For example:
שַֽׁעַר־עִירֹ֖ו – “The gate of his city” (Genesis 23:10).
The construct noun שַֽׁעַר (shaar, “gate of”) specifies which gate is being referred to — the gate belonging to עִירֹ֖ו (iro, “his city”).
3. Measure and Quantity in Hebrew Syntax
In expressions of measurement, time, or quantity, the construct state is frequently used:
עֶשֶׂרֶת הַיָּמִים – “Ten days” (Genesis 24:55).
The noun עֶשֶׂרֶת (eseret, “ten of”) is the construct form of עָשָׂר (asar, “ten”), linking it to הַיָּמִים (hayamim, “the days”).
4. Relationships and Associations in Hebrew Grammar
The construct state can also express relationships between people, places, and concepts. For example:
אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם – “The God of Avraham” (Genesis 26:24).
Here, אֱלֹהֵי (elohei, “God of”) is in the construct state, indicating the relationship between God and Avraham.
Unique Features of the Construct State
- Definiteness: The construct noun’s definiteness is determined by the following noun. For example, בֵּית is indefinite on its own, but when followed by הַמֶּלֶךְ (“the king”), the entire phrase בֵּית הַמֶּלֶךְ (“the house of the king”) becomes definite.
- Length and Complexity: Hebrew allows for extended construct chains with multiple nouns, such as כְּסוּת עוֹר בֶּן־הָאָדָם (“the leather garment of the son of man”).
- Construct Plurals: The construct state can also be used with plural nouns, often changing the form of the noun, such as יְמֵי (“days of”) from יָמִים (“days”).
Key Insights into the Construct State in Biblical Hebrew Grammar
The construct state is an essential component of Biblical Hebrew syntax, providing a framework for expressing possession, relationships, measurements, and descriptions. Its formation through vowel changes, suffixes, and morphological adjustments adds complexity and richness to the language. Mastering the construct state is vital for accurately interpreting and translating the Hebrew Bible, as it frequently appears in phrases that convey essential theological, historical, and narrative information.
