1. Introduction to the Directional He
The directional he (also known as he locale or he directive) is a fascinating feature of Biblical Hebrew grammar, often overlooked in introductory courses but playing a significant role in expressing spatial relationships, motion, and theological nuances. This suffix (-ָה / -ֶה) is primarily added to nouns, especially place names, to indicate direction or destination.
Examples:
- מִצְרַיְמָה (Mitsraymah) – “toward Mitsrayim (Egypt)”
- הָעִירָה (ha-ʿirah) – “toward the city”
- הַשָּׁמַיִםָה (ha-shamaymah) – “toward the heavens”
This suffix is mostly confined to Classical Hebrew and does not persist in later forms of the language, making it a significant feature in biblical texts.
2. Morphological Characteristics of Directional He
2.1 Formation
The directional he is generally appended to nouns to indicate direction. Morphophonemic changes may occur depending on the structure of the noun.
Standard Nouns
- Basic Formation: The suffix -ָה is added to singular nouns.
- Example: עִירָה (ʿirah) – “toward the city” (from ʿir, “city”)
Nouns Ending in -im or -ayim
- Dual or plural forms often retain their ending, and the he is suffixed without additional changes.
- Example: מִצְרַיְמָה (Mitsraymah) – “toward Mitsrayim”
Construct Forms
When in construct, the suffix still functions normally but is often rare in such contexts.
Definite Article
If the noun has the definite article הַ־, it retains the article.
- Example: הָהָרָה (ha-harah) – “toward the mountain”
Phonetic Shift
Sometimes, stress shifts to accommodate the suffix. If the noun ends in a vowel, the suffix may cause a slight contraction or shift in pronunciation.
3. Syntactic Roles of Directional He
3.1 Alternative to Prepositions
In many cases, the directional he replaces prepositions such as אֶל־ (el) or לְ־ (le), conveying the same meaning.
- אַרְצָה (artsah) = אֶל־הָאָרֶץ (el-ha-aretz) – “to the land”
- מִצְרַיְמָה (Mitsraymah) = אֶל־מִצְרַיִם (el-Mitsrayim) – “to Egypt”
3.2 Interchangeability with Other Directional Constructions
Some biblical texts exhibit redundancy:
- וַיֵּרֶד מִצְרַיְמָה (vayyered Mitsraymah) – “And he went down to Egypt”
- וַיֵּרֶד אֶל־מִצְרַיִם (vayyered el-Mitsrayim) – “And he went down to Egypt”
3.3 Usage with Verbs of Motion
The directional he almost always appears with verbs of motion, such as:
- הלך (halakh) – “to go”
- עלה (ʿalah) – “to go up”
- ירד (yarad) – “to go down”
- בא (baʾ) – “to come”
4. Semantic and Theological Implications
4.1 Expressing Physical Direction
- אַרְצָה (artsah) – “toward the land”
- הָרָה (harah) – “toward the mountain”
- הַשָּׁמַיִםָה (ha-shamaymah) – “toward the heavens”
4.2 Theological Significance in Biblical Narratives
- וַיֵּצְא֗וּ לָלֶ֨כֶת֙ אַ֣רְצָה כְּנַ֔עַן (Vayyetze’u lalekhet artzah Kena’an) – “They went forth to go to the land of Kenaʿan” (Genesis 12:5)
- וַיַּעַל מִצְרַיְמָה (vayyaʿal Mitsraymah) – “And he went to Egypt”
4.3 Poetic and Stylistic Functions
- מָרֹוםָה (maromah) – “toward the heights”
- שְּׁאוֹלָה (she’olah) – “toward Sheol”
5. The Lasting Legacy of Directional He
The directional he (ה) in Biblical Hebrew is much more than a simple grammatical marker. Its implications extend across:
- Syntax – functioning as an alternative to prepositions.
- Semantics – indicating spatial movement and eschatological hope.
- Theology – reinforcing biblical themes of ascent, exile, and divine return.
- Poetics – enhancing rhythm and literary beauty.
Although rare in later Hebrew, its presence in the Bible provides rich exegetical insights for scholars and students alike. From Abraham’s journey to the Promised Land to eschatological visions of return to Yerushalayim, the directional he serves as a grammatical conduit for movement—both literal and spiritual—in the Hebrew Bible.
