In Biblical Hebrew, the masculine plural plays a critical role in the language’s grammatical structure. It affects not only nouns but also adjectives, pronouns, and verbs, influencing how sentences are constructed and interpreted. This guide explores the formation, usage, and significance of the masculine plural in Biblical Hebrew, highlighting key examples and grammatical rules.
Forming the Masculine Plural in Biblical Hebrew
The masculine plural is typically formed by adding the suffix -ים (-im) to the singular form of a masculine noun. This pattern extends to adjectives and other modifiers that agree with masculine plural nouns.
- Examples of Masculine Plural Nouns:
- מֶלֶךְ (melekh) – “king” → מְלָכִים (melakhim) – “kings”
- סֵפֶר (sefer) – “book” → סְפָרִים (sefarim) – “books”
- כֹּהֵן (kohen) – “priest” → כֹּהֲנִים (kohanim) – “priests”
Masculine Plural Agreement with Adjectives
Adjectives must agree in gender and number with the nouns they modify. For masculine plural nouns, adjectives also take the -ים (-im) suffix.
- Examples of Masculine Plural Adjectives:
- סֵפֶר טוֹב (sefer tov) – “a good book” → סְפָרִים טוֹבִים (sefarim tovim) – “good books”
- מֶלֶךְ גָּדוֹל (melekh gadol) – “a great king” → מְלָכִים גְּדוֹלִים (melakhim gedolim) – “great kings”
Masculine Plural Pronouns in Biblical Hebrew
Pronouns in Biblical Hebrew also reflect gender and number. The masculine plural pronouns are used to refer to groups of males or mixed-gender groups.
- Examples of Masculine Plural Pronouns:
- אַתֶּם (atem) – “you” (masculine plural)
- הֵם (hem) – “they” (masculine plural)
It is important to note that the masculine plural pronouns are also used for mixed-gender groups, reflecting the default masculine grammatical gender in Hebrew.
Masculine Plural Verb Conjugation
In Biblical Hebrew, verbs conjugate to reflect the number and gender of their subjects. For masculine plural subjects, verbs take specific plural endings.
- Examples of Masculine Plural Verbs:
- כָּתַב (katav) – “he wrote” → כָּתְבוּ (katvu) – “they wrote” (masculine plural)
- שָׁמַר (shamar) – “he kept” → שָׁמְרוּ (shamru) – “they kept” (masculine plural)
The masculine plural verb endings often coincide with the feminine plural forms, but the context usually clarifies the intended gender.
The Masculine Plural as a Default in Mixed-Gender Groups
In Biblical Hebrew, the masculine plural is used as the default form when referring to groups that include both males and females. Even if only one male is present in a group, the masculine plural is used for grammatical consistency.
- Example of Mixed-Gender Group:
- הַיְלָדִים (ha-yeledim) – “the children” (refers to boys or a mixed group of boys and girls)
- הֵם הָלְכוּ (hem halekhu) – “they went” (referring to a mixed group)
If a group consists solely of females, the feminine plural form is used. However, the presence of even one male causes the shift to masculine plural.
Masculine Plural in Abstract and Non-Human Contexts
The masculine plural is not limited to human subjects. It is frequently used for objects, abstract concepts, and collective nouns, even when the items are non-masculine in nature.
- Examples of Masculine Plural in Non-Human Contexts:
- הַשָּׁמַיִם (ha-shamayim) – “the heavens” (a masculine plural form for a non-human concept)
- הָאֵלִים (ha-elim) – “the gods” (plural of אֵל, el, “god”)
Even when referring to objects that are conceptually gender-neutral or inanimate, the masculine plural form may be used.
Irregular Masculine Plural Forms
While many masculine plural forms follow the standard -ים (-im) suffix pattern, there are irregular plurals that do not conform to this rule. These forms are important to recognize for accurate translation and interpretation.
- Examples of Irregular Masculine Plurals:
- אִישׁ (ish) – “man” → אֲנָשִׁים (anashim) – “men”
- אָב (av) – “father” → אָבוֹת (avot) – “fathers”
Understanding the Use of the Masculine Plural in Biblical Hebrew for Accurate Interpretation
Mastering the masculine plural in Biblical Hebrew is essential for accurate reading and interpretation of biblical texts. Whether referring to groups of people, abstract concepts, or objects, the masculine plural plays a pivotal role in the language’s grammar and structure. Recognizing its forms, functions, and exceptions enhances comprehension and enables a deeper engagement with the biblical text.
