Charts Of Biblical Hebrew [1 ed.]

Table of contents :
Table of Contents......Page 2
Alphabet......Page 4
Vowels......Page 11
Syllabification......Page 24
Nouns......Page 36
Definite Article......Page 52
Conjunction Waw......Page 58
Hebrew Prepositions......Page 63
Adjectives......Page 72
Pronouns......Page 80
Demonstratives......Page 83
Interrogatives......Page 88
Pronominal Suffixes on Nominals......Page 92
Construct Chain......Page 110
Numbers......Page 126
Introduction to Verbs......Page 132
Qal Perfect: Strong......Page 142
Qal Perfect: Weak......Page 153
Qal Imperfect: Strong......Page 168
Qal Imperfect: Weak......Page 176
Waw Consecutive......Page 199
Qal Imperative......Page 210
Qal Cohortative......Page 220
Qal Jussive......Page 223
Pronominal Suffixes on Verbs......Page 227
Qal Infinitive Construct......Page 239
Qal Infinitive Absolute......Page 257
Qal Participle......Page 266
Sentence Syntax......Page 282
Niphal Strong......Page 301
Niphal Weak......Page 319
Piel Strong......Page 331
Piel Weak......Page 342
Pual Strong......Page 351
Pual Weak......Page 362
Hiphil Strong......Page 371
Hiphil Weak......Page 384
Hophal Strong......Page 395
Hophal Weak......Page 406
Hithpael Strong......Page 418
Hithpael Weak......Page 432
Section 5: Selected Particles......Page 439
Section 6: Summary Verb Charts......Page 447

Citation preview

Table of Contents Section 1: The Basics of Hebrew Writing Alphabet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Vowels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Syllabification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Section 2: The Basics of Hebrew Nouns and Nominals Nouns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Definite Article . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Conjunction Waw. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Hebrew Prepositions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Adjectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Pronouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Demonstratives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Interrogatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Pronominal Suffixes on Nominals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 Construct Chain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Section 3: Introduction to Hebrew Verbs and the Qal Stem Introduction to Verbs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Qal Perfect: Strong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 Qal Perfect: Weak. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 Qal Imperfect: Strong. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 Qal Imperfect: Weak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 Waw Consecutive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 Qal Imperative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 Qal Cohortative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217 Qal Jussive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220 Pronominal Suffixes on Verbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224 Qal Infinitive Construct. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236 i

ii

Table of Contents Qal Infinitive Absolute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254 Qal Participle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263 Sentence Syntax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279

Section 4: Introduction to the Derived Stems Niphal Strong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298 Niphal Weak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316 Piel Strong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328 Piel Weak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339 Pual Strong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348 Pual Weak. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359 Hiphil Strong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368 Hiphil Weak. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381 Hophal Strong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392 Hophal Weak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403 Hithpael Strong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415 Hithpael Weak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 429 Section 5: Selected Particles The Directional Ending . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 436 The Negative Particle ‫ֹלא‬. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 437 The Negative Particle ‫אַל‬. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 438 The Particle ‫ הִנֵּה‬. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 439 The Particle ‫ נָא‬. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 441 The Particle ‫ יֵשׁ‬. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 442 The Particle ‫ אֵין‬. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 443 Section 6: Summary Verb Charts.......................................................................................................................... 444

Alphabet

Twenty-Three Consonants Letter

‫א‬ ‫ב‬ ‫ג‬ ‫ד‬ ‫ה‬ ‫ו‬ ‫ז‬ ‫ח‬ ‫ט‬ ‫י‬ ‫כ‬ ‫ל‬ ‫מ‬ ‫נ‬ ‫ס‬ ‫ע‬ ‫פ‬ ‫צ‬ ‫ק‬ ‫ר‬ ‫שׂ‬ ‫שׁ‬ ‫ת‬ BBH 1.1

Name Alef Bet Gimel Dalet He Waw Zayin Óet Tet Yod Kaf Lamed Mem Nun Samek Ayin Pe Tsade Qof Resh Sin Shin Taw

Pronunciation

Transliteration

(silent) b as in boy g as in God d as in day h as in hay w as in way z as in Zion ch as in Bach t as in toy y as in yes k as in king l as in lion m as in mother n as in now s as in sin (silent) p as in pastor ts as in boots k as in king r as in run s as in sin sh as in ship t as in toy 11

< b g d h w z ˙ † y k l m n s > p ß q r ∞ ¡ t 1

Alphabet

Written from Right to Left

Hebrew is written from right to left, not left to right as in English

‫אבגדהו זח טיכלמנ סעפצק רשׂשׁת‬

BBH 1.3

2

Alphabet

Five Final Forms Five Hebrew letters have “final” forms. When one of these letters occurs at the end of a word, it is written differently than when it appears at the beginning or in the middle of a word. The changing of a letter’s form does not change its pronunciation or transliteration.

Regular Form

‫כ‬ ‫מ‬ ‫נ‬ ‫פ‬ ‫צ‬

BBH 1.4

Final Form

Example

‫ך‬ ‫ם‬ ‫ן‬ ‫ף‬ ‫ץ‬

‫דרך‬ ‫עם‬ ‫זקן‬ ‫כסף‬ ‫ארץ‬

Transliteration Translation

12

drk

road, way

>m

nation, people

zqn

old man, elder

ksp

money, silver

ô) 2. The first of two contiguous (side-by-side) Shewas within a word is silent (and the second is vocal).

‫מִשְׁפְּטֵי‬

(mi¡-pe-†ê) 3. A Shewa at the end of a word is silent.

ְ‫בְתּ‬.ַ‫כָּת‬ (kå-®a∫t)

BBH 3.6.1

25

Syllabification

Recognizing Vocal Shewa: Four Rules

1. Initial Shewa is always vocal.

‫בְָּרכָה‬

(be-rå-¬â) 2. The second of two contiguous (side-by-side) Shewas within a word is vocal.

‫מִשְׁפְּטֵי‬

(mi¡-pe-†ê) 3. A Shewa under any consonant with Daghesh Forte is vocal.

‫הַמְּלָכִים‬

(ham-me-lå-¬ªm) 4. A Shewa after a long vowel is normally vocal.

‫כֹּתְבִים‬

(kø-®e-∫ªm)

BBH 3.6.2

26

Syllabification

Qamets and Qamets Hatuf Qamets and Qamets Hatuf look exactly alike. How do you tell the difference?

1. Qamets Hatuf (short o) occurs only in a closed and unaccented syllable.

‫חָכְמָה‬ (˙o¬-mâ) 2. Qamets (changeable long å) prefers an open, pretonic syllable or a closed, accented syllable.

‫דָּבָר‬ (då-∫år) 3. A Metheg may be used to identify the Qamets. It is a small vertical line that is placed to the left of the vowel.

‫בּ

➣

råqªa>

➣

rûa˙

➣

ַ‫בֹּ|ֵרח‬ ַ‫נֹ|טֵע‬ ַ‫ָר|ִקיע‬ ַ‫רוּח‬

bø-r∑a˙ nø-†∑a> rå-qªa> rûa˙ (monosyllabic)

28

Syllabification Quiescent Alef

When ‫ א‬occurs without a vowel, it is quiescent. When the ‫ א‬is quiescent, it is not considered to be a consonant with reference to the rules of syllabification but it is still an essential part of the spelling.

‫חַטָּאת‬

BBH 3.9

29

Syllabification Hebrew Diphthong

Diphthong is a grammatical term used to identify sounds normally distinct but now functioning as a single unit. The most common Hebrew diphthong is ִ‫י‬.ַ‫(ב‬ayi). Syllables that contain this diphthong are considered to be closed.

‫יִם‬.ַ‫שָׁמ‬ ‫יִת‬.‫ַבּ‬

BBH 3.10

¡åmayim

➣

bayi®

➣

‫יִם‬.ַ‫שָׁ|מ‬ ‫ַיִת‬.‫בּ‬

¡å-mayim bayi® (monosyllabic)

30

Syllabification

Vowels and Syllable Preference A vowel’s preference for a particular type of syllable is determined by two primary factors: (1) the type of syllable (open or closed) and (2) the proximity of the syllable to the accent.

Short vowels prefer closed, unaccented syllables or open, accented syllables.

‫|בֶד‬.ֶ‫ע‬ ‫|בֶד‬.ֶ‫ע‬

short vowel in a closed, unaccented syllable (‫)בֶד‬ short vowel in an open, accented syllable (.ֶ‫)ע‬

Long vowels prefer closed, accented syllables or open, pretonic syllables.

‫דָּ|בָר‬ ‫דָּ|בָר‬

long vowel in a closed, accented syllable (‫)בָר‬ long vowel in an open, pretonic syllable (ָ‫)דּ‬

Vocal Shewa and reduced vowels prefer open, propretonic syllables. Normally, reduced vowels appear with guttural consonants.

‫ְדּ|בָ|ִרים‬ ‫אֱ| ל ֹ|הִים‬ BBH 3.14

Vocal Shewa in an open, propretonic syllable (ּ‫)ְד‬

reduced vowel in an open, propretonic syllable (ֱ‫)א‬ 31

Syllabification Guttural Consonants and ‫ר‬ Four Hebrew letters are called gutturals. They are called gutturals because they are pronounced in the back of the throat.

‫א‬, ‫ה‬, ‫ח‬, ‫ ע‬and sometimes ‫ר‬ Guttural Preferences 1. Gutturals and ‫ ר‬cannot take Daghesh Forte. 2. Gutturals cannot take Vocal Shewa, but may take reduced (Hateph) vowels. The consonant ‫ ר‬can take Vocal Shewa. Reduced vowels are always vocal; they are never silent. 3. Gutturals prefer a-class vowels.

BBH 3.14

32

Nouns

Introduction

With regard to gender, Hebrew nouns are either masculine or feminine, though a few nouns are both masculine and feminine.

With regard to a noun’s number, it may be either singular, indicating one; plural, indicating more than one; or dual, indicating only two.

BBH 4.1

33

Nouns

Inflectional Endings Endings on Masculine and Feminine Nouns Masculine Singular Plural Dual

‫סוּס‬ ‫סוּסִים‬ ‫יִם‬.ַ‫סוּס‬

Feminine

horse horses two horses

‫תּוֹרָה‬ ‫תּוֹרוֹת‬ ‫יִם‬.ַ‫תּוֹרָ ת‬

law laws two laws

Summary of Noun Endings Masculine Singular Plural Dual

BBH 4.2, 4.4

endingless

‫בִים‬ ‫יִם‬.ַ‫ב‬

Feminine

‫בָה‬/‫בַת‬/‫בֶת‬/‫בִית‬/‫וּת‬ ‫וֹת‬ ‫יִם‬.ַ‫ ָרת‬/‫יִם‬.ַ‫ב‬

34

Nouns

Examples of Singular, Plural, and Dual Nouns

Masculine Singular (ms)

Masculine Plural (mp)

Feminine Singular (fs)

Feminine Plural (fp)

Masc/Fem Dual (md/fd)

‫סוּס‬

‫סוּסִים‬

‫מַלְכָּה‬

‫מְלָכוֹת‬

‫יִם‬.ַ‫יוֹמ‬

‫לְֶך‬.ֶ‫מ‬

‫מְלָכִים‬

‫תּוֹרָ ה‬

‫יִם תּוֹרוֹת‬.ַ‫תּוֹרָ ת‬

‫דָּבָר‬

‫ְדּבָרִ ים‬

‫חוֹמָה‬

‫חוֹמוֹת‬

‫יִם‬.‫ַרגְ ַל‬

‫יֶ>לֶד‬

‫יְלָדִים‬

‫בַּת‬

‫בָּנוֹת‬

‫יִם‬.ַ‫יָד‬

‫יוֹם‬

‫יָמִים‬

‫שֶׁת‬.‫ְקשָׁתוֹת ֶק‬

‫עֵינַ>יִם‬

BBH 4.5

35

Nouns

Lexical Form

When looking up a noun in the lexicon, you must search for its lexical form. The lexical form for any noun is the singular form.

For example, the lexical form of ‫סוּסִים‬ (mp) is ‫סוּס‬, the masculine singular form. Likewise, the lexical form of ‫( תּוֹרוֹת‬fp) is ‫תּוָֹרה‬, the feminine singular form.

BBH 4.6

36

Nouns

Endingless Feminine Nouns

All masculine singular nouns are endingless but not all endingless nouns are masculine singular. In a number of instances, feminine singular nouns are also endingless. The 10 most common endingless feminine singular nouns in the Hebrew Bible are listed below.

‫ֶֶרץ‬.‫א‬ ‫יָד‬ ‫עִיר‬ ‫נֶ>פֶשׁ‬ ‫ֶרב‬.ֶ‫ח‬ ‫ֶבֶן‬.‫א‬ ‫גֶל‬.‫ֶר‬ ‫אֵם‬ ‫כַּף‬ ‫זֶן‬.ֹ‫א‬ BBH 4.7.1

land, earth, ground (2,505) hand (1,627) city, town (1,088) soul, life, person (757) sword (413) stone (276) foot (251) mother (220) hand, palm, sole of the foot (195) ear (188) 37

Nouns

Exceptions to Normal Pluralization

In the process of pluralizing nouns, some singular nouns of one gender take the plural ending of the other gender. Note, however, that masculine nouns with feminine plural endings are still masculine in gender and feminine nouns with masculine plural endings are still feminine in gender.

‫אָב‬ ‫שֵׁם‬ ‫שָׁנָה‬ ‫אִשָּׁה‬

BBH 4.7.2

(ms) father

➣

(ms) name

➣

(fs) year

➣

(fs) woman

➣

‫אָבוֹת‬ ‫שֵׁמוֹת‬ ‫שָׁנִים‬ ‫נָשִׁים‬

(mp) fathers (mp) names (fp) years (fp) women

38

Nouns

Special Dual Nouns

There are three Hebrew words that are always dual in form but normally singular in translation.

‫יִם‬.ַ‫שָׁמ‬ heaven, heavens

‫יִם‬.‫מִצְַר‬ Egypt

‫יִם‬.ַ‫מ‬ water

BBH 4.7.3

39

Nouns

Irregular Stem Change

Some Hebrew nouns alter their (consonantal) stem when the plural endings are added.

Singular

‫יוֹם‬ ‫אִישׁ‬ ‫אִשָּׁה‬

BBH 4.7.4

Plural

day

➣

man

➣

woman

➣

‫יָמִים‬ ‫אֲנָשִׁים‬ ‫נָשִׁים‬

days men women

40

Nouns Defective Spelling of ‫וֹת‬

The feminine plural ending ‫ וֹת‬may be spelled ‫( ֹת‬with Holem rather than Holem Waw). The spelling with Holem represents defective writing of the Holem Waw.

Singular

‫ עֵדָה‬congregation ‫ מִשְׁפָּחָה‬family ‫ חֻקָּה‬statute

BBH 4.7.5

Plural ➣ ➣ ➣

‫ עֵדוֹת‬or ‫עֵדֹת‬ ‫ מִשְׁפָּחוֹת‬or ‫מִשְׁפָּחֹת‬ ‫ חֻקּוֹת‬or ‫חֻקֹּת‬

41

Nouns

Patterns of Noun Pluralization: No Change

Some nouns are pluralized simply with the addition of the masculine or feminine plural ending. Nouns of this type may be monosyllabic with an unchangeable long vowel. They may also be composed of two syllables with Shewa or Hateph Pathach in the first syllable and an unchangeable long vowel in the second syllable.

‫שִׁיר‬ ‫אוֹת‬ ‫חֲלוֹם‬ ‫ְרחוֹב‬

BBH 4.8.1

song

➣

sign

➣

dream

➣

street

➣

18

‫שִׁיִרים‬ ‫אוֹתוֹת‬ ‫חֲלוֹמוֹת‬ ‫ְרחוֹבוֹת‬

songs signs dreams streets

42

Nouns

Patterns of Noun Pluralization: Propretonic Reduction

Two-syllable nouns accented on the final syllable and having either Qamets or Tsere in the first or pretonic syllable experience what is called “propretonic reduction” with the addition of the plural ending. With the addition of the plural ending, the Qamets or Tsere is placed in an open, propretonic syllable. In an open, propretonic syllable, the Qamets or Tsere will reduce to Shewa. This is called propretonic reduction.

‫דָּבָר‬ ‫לֵבָב‬ ‫עָנָן‬ ‫חָצֵר‬

BBH 4.8.2

word

➣

heart

➣

cloud

➣

courtyard

➣

20

‫דְּבִָרים‬ ‫לְבָבוֹת‬ ‫עֲנָנִים‬ ‫חֲצֵרוֹת‬

words hearts clouds courtyards

43

Nouns

Patterns of Noun Pluralization: Segholate Nouns Two-syllable nouns accented on the first syllable (penultima) are classified as “Segholate” nouns. They are called Segholate nouns because they frequently have two Seghol vowels as in ‫ֶלְֶך‬.‫( מ‬king). Other vowel patterns also appear in this class, usually with at least one Seghol as in ‫ֵפֶר‬.‫( ס‬book), ‫ֹקֶר‬.‫( בּ‬morning) and ‫( ז>ֶַרע‬seed). Even though ַ (lord) and ‫נַ>עַר‬ not spelled with a Seghol, the nouns ‫עַל‬.‫בּ‬ (young man) are also Segholate nouns because they are accented on the first syllable. While the vowel pattern of Segholate nouns will vary in the singular, they will always have the same vowel pattern in the plural.

‫לְֶך‬.‫ֶמ‬ ‫פֶר‬.‫ֵס‬ ‫נֶ>פֶשׁ‬ ‫ֶֶרב‬.‫ח‬

BBH 4.8.3

king

➣

book

➣

life

➣

sword

➣

21

‫מְלָכִים‬ ‫סְפִָרים‬ ‫נְפָשׁוֹת‬ ‫חֲרָבוֹת‬

kings books lives swords

44

Nouns

Patterns of Noun Pluralization: Geminate Nouns

Most Geminate nouns have only two consonants in the singular as in ‫( עַם‬people), though originally they had three consonants. For example, the Hebrew word for “people” (‫ ) עַם‬was originally spelled ‫עמם‬. When Geminate nouns of this type are pluralized, the consonant that originally appeared twice will now be written once with Daghesh Forte. The Daghesh Forte represents the “lost” Geminate consonant.

‫עַם‬ ‫חֹק‬ ‫חֵץ‬

BBH 4.8.4

people

➣

statute

➣

arrow

➣

22

‫עַ ּמִים‬ ‫חֻקִּים‬ ‫חִצִּים‬

peoples statutes arrows

45

Nouns

Patterns of Noun Pluralization: Irregular Pluralization A number of nouns are irregular and unpredictable in their pluralization. Below are some of the most common examples.

‫בֵּן‬ ‫אִישׁ‬ ‫אִשָּׁה‬ ‫עִיר‬ ‫אָב‬ ‫יִת‬.ַ‫בּ‬ ‫בַּת‬ ‫יוֹם‬

BBH 4.8.5

son

➣

man

➣

woman

➣

city

➣

father

➣

house

➣

daughter

➣

day

➣

‫בָּנִים‬ ‫אֲנָשִׁים‬ ‫נָשִׁים‬ ‫עִָרים‬ ‫אָבוֹת‬ ‫תִּים‬,‫בּ‬ ‫בָּנוֹת‬ ‫יָמִים‬

sons men women cities fathers houses daughters days

46

Nouns

Patterns of Noun Pluralization: Summary 1. Pluralization with No Change

‫ שִׁיר‬song ‫ חֲלוֹם‬dream

➣ ➣

‫שִׁיִרים‬ ‫חֲלוֹמוֹת‬

songs dreams

2. Pluralization with Propretonic Reduction

‫דָּבָר‬ ‫עָנָן‬

word

➣

cloud

➣

‫דְּבִָרים‬ ‫עֲנָנִים‬

words clouds

3. Pluralization of Segholate Nouns

‫לְֶך‬.‫ֶמ‬ ‫פֶר‬.‫ֵס‬

king

➣

book

➣

‫מְלָכִים‬ ‫סְפִָרים‬

kings books

4. Pluralization of Geminate Nouns

‫עַם‬ ‫חֹק‬

people

➣

statute

➣

‫עַ ּמִים‬ ‫חֻקִּים‬

peoples statutes

5. Irregular Pluralization

‫ בֵּן‬son ‫ אִישׁ‬man BBH 4.8

➣ ➣

‫בָּנִים‬ ‫אֲנָשִׁים‬

sons men 47

Nouns

Advanced Information: Rules of Shewa

Rule 1 Hebrew will not allow two contiguous (side-by-side) Vocal Shewas at the beginning of a word. In such a circumstance, the first Vocal Shewa becomes Hireq.

‫לְנְבִיאִים‬

➣

‫לִנְבִיאִים‬

Rule 2 A Vocal Shewa cannot precede a guttural consonant with a reduced (Hateph) vowel. In such a circumstance, the first syllable takes the corresponding short vowel of the reduced vowel.

‫בְּחֲלוֹם‬

BBH 4.12

➣

‫בַּחֲלוֹם‬

48

Definite Article Introduction

1. The Definite Article Basic Form

ּ‫הַב‬

Translation

“the”

2. The Conjunction Waw

BBH 5.1

Basic Form

ְ‫ו‬

Translation

“and”

49

Definite Article Basic Form

In Hebrew, a noun is made definite by prefixing the definite article, which consists of ַ‫ ה‬plus a Daghesh Forte in the first consonant of the noun.

‫לְֶך‬.‫ ֶמ‬+ ּ‫לְֶך = הַב‬.ֶ‫הַמּ‬ Definite Article

‫מלְֶך‬.ֶּ ַ‫ה‬

BBH 5.2

23

50

Definite Article

With Begadkephat Consonants

When adding the definite article to words beginning with a begadkephat consonant with Daghesh Lene, the Daghesh Lene is replaced by a Daghesh Forte .

Indefinite Noun

‫יִת‬.ַ‫בּ‬ ‫ֶֶרְך‬.‫דּ‬ ‫גִּבּוֹר‬

BBH 5.3

Definite Noun

a house

➣

a road

➣

a warrior

➣

‫יִת‬.ּ‫הַ ַב‬ ‫ֶֶרְך‬.ּ‫הַ ד‬ ‫הַג ִּבּוֹר‬

the house the road the warrior

51

Definite Article

With Guttural Consonants Compensatory Lengthening With initial ‫ א‬, ‫ ר‬and sometimes ‫ע‬, the guttural rejects the Daghesh Forte of the article and the Pathach lengthens to Qamets.

‫אִישׁ‬

a man

➣

‫הָאִישׁ‬

the man

Virtual Doubling With initial ‫ ה‬or ‫ח‬, the guttural rejects the Daghesh Forte of the article but the Pathach does not lengthen to Qamets.

‫הֵיכָל‬

a palace

➣

‫הַהֵיכָל‬

the palace

Irregular Seghol Before unaccented ָ‫ע‬, ָ‫ ה‬or ָ‫ חָ( ח‬may also be accented), the definite article appears with a Seghol and without the Daghesh Forte.

‫חָכָם‬ BBH 5.4

a wise man ➣

‫הֶחָכָם‬

the wise man

52

Definite Article With Initial ְ‫ י‬and ְ‫מ‬

Words that begin with ְ‫ י‬or ְ‫ מ‬usually give up the Daghesh Forte that is associated with the definite article.

‫יְלִָדים‬ ‫מְַרגְּלִים‬

BBH 5.5

boys

➣

spies

➣

‫הַיְלִָדים‬ ‫הַמְַרגְּלִים‬

the boys the spies

53

Definite Article

Summary of Possible Spellings

ּ‫הַב‬ ּ‫הַב‬ ָ‫ה‬ ַ‫ה‬ ֶ‫ה‬ ַ‫ה‬

Basic Form Begadkephat Gutturals ‫ר‬/‫ע‬/‫א‬ Gutturals ‫ח‬/‫ה‬ Gutturals ָ‫ע‬/ָ‫ח‬/ָ‫ה‬ Initial ְ‫ י‬or

BBH 5.2-5

ְ‫מ‬

24

‫מלְֶך‬.ֶּ ַ‫ה‬ ‫יִת‬.ּ‫הַ ַב‬ ‫הָאִישׁ‬ ‫הַהֵיכָל‬ ‫הֶעָנָן‬ ‫הַיְלִָדים‬

54

Conjunction Waw Basic Form

Before most consonants, the conjunction will appear as

‫בֶד‬.ֶ‫וְע‬ ‫וְאִשָּׁה‬ ‫וְהָאִשָּׁה‬ ‫וְאִישׁ‬ ‫וְהָאִישׁ‬

BBH 5.7.1

ְ‫ו‬

and a servant and a woman and the woman and a man and the man

25

55

Conjunction Waw Spelled As Shureq

Before ‫ב‬, ‫ מ‬or ‫( פ‬the “bump” consonants) the conjunction is spelled as Shureq.

‫לְֶך‬.ֶ‫ מ‬+ ְ‫ו‬ ‫ פְַּרעֹה‬+ ְ‫ו‬

➣ ➣

‫לְֶך‬.‫וּ ֶמ‬ ‫וּפְַרעֹה‬

and a king and Pharaoh

Before Vocal Shewa the conjunction is spelled as Shureq.

‫ סְפִָרים‬+ ְ‫ו‬ ‫ שְׁמוּאֵל‬+ ְ‫ו‬

BBH 5.7.2

➣ ➣

‫וּסְפִָרים‬ ‫וּשְׁמוּאֵל‬

and books and Samuel

56

Conjunction Waw Spelled with Short Vowels

Before Hateph vowels the conjunction is spelled with the corresponding short vowel.

‫ אֲנָשִׁים‬+ ְ‫ו‬ ‫ אֱמֶת‬+ ְ‫ו‬

BBH 5.7.3

➣ ➣

‫וַאֲנָשִׁים‬ ‫וֶאֱמֶת‬

and men and truth

57

Conjunction Waw Spelled with Qamets

Before some monosyllabic words or words with initial accent the conjunction may be spelled with Qamets.

‫ צֹאן‬+ ְ‫ו‬ ‫חֶם‬.ֶ‫ ל‬+ ְ‫ו‬

BBH 5.7.4

➣ ➣

‫וָצֹאן‬ ‫חֶם‬.ֶ‫וָל‬

and sheep and bread

58

Conjunction Waw Summary of Spellings

Basic Form

ְ‫ו‬

‫וְהָאִישׁ‬

Before ‫ב‬/‫מ‬/‫פ‬

‫וּ‬

‫לְֶך‬.‫וּ ֶמ‬

Before Vocal Shewa

‫וּ‬

‫וּסְפִָרים‬

ָ‫ו‬/ֶ‫ו‬/ַ‫ו‬

‫וַאֲנָשִׁים‬

ָ‫ו‬

‫וָצֹאן‬

Before Hateph Vowels

Before Monosyllables/ Initial Accent

BBH 5.7

26

59

Prepositions Three Types

Independent Prepositions These prepositions stand alone.

‫לְֶך‬.‫לִפְנֵי הַ ֶמּ‬ ‫ַחַת הָעֵץ‬.‫תּ‬

before the king under the tree

Maqqef Prepositions These prepositions are joined to their objects with Maqqef.

‫אֶל–הַהֵיכָל‬ ‫ֶָרץ‬.‫מִן–הָא‬

to the temple from the land

Inseparable Prepositions These prepositions are prefixed directly to their objects.

‫בְּשֶָׂדה‬ ‫לְֶך‬.ֶ‫כְּמ‬ BBH 6.2-4

in a field like a king

27

60

Prepositions

Ten Most Common Independent Prepositions

‫לִפְנֵי‬ ‫עִם‬ ‫אַחֲֵרי‬ ‫בֵּין‬ ‫עַן‬.ַ‫לְמ‬ ‫נֶ>גֶד‬ ‫עַד‬.ַ‫בּ‬ ‫יַ>עַן‬ ‫ֵצֶל‬.‫א‬ ‫בַּעֲבוּר‬

BBH 6.2-4

before, in front of (1,102) with, together with (1,048) after, behind (718) between (409) on account of, for the sake of (272) opposite, in front of (151) behind, through (104) on account of, because (100) beside, near (62) because of, for the sake of (49)

61

Prepositions

Five Most Common Maqqef Prepositions

–‫עַל‬ on, upon, on account of, according to (5,777)

–‫אֶל‬ to, toward, in, into (5,518)

–‫עַד‬ until, as far as, during (1,263)

–‫אֶת‬ with, beside (890)

–‫מִן‬ from, out of (745)

BBH 6.2-4

62

Prepositions

Three Most Common Inseparable Prepositions

ְ‫ל‬

to, toward, for (20,321)

ְ‫בּ‬

in, at, with, by, against (15,559)

ְ‫כּ‬

as, like, according to (3,053)

BBH 6.2-4

63

Prepositions

Spelling of Inseparable Prepositions

Before most consonants: Vocal Shewa

‫בְּשֶָׂדה‬ ‫לְנַ>עַר‬

in a field for a young man

Before Hateph vowels: corresponding short vowel

‫כַּאֲנָשִׁים‬ ‫בֶּאֱמֶת‬

like men in truth

Before consonants with Vocal Shewa: Hireq

‫כִּנְבִיאִים‬ ‫לִבְִרית‬

BBH 6.4.1-3

as prophets for a covenant

28

64

Prepositions

Spelling of Inseparable Prepositions with Nouns that Have the Definite Article

With nouns that have the definite article, the vowel and Daghesh Forte of the article are retained but the consonant of the preposition replaces the ‫ ה‬of the definite article.

‫הַשּׂ ָ דֶה‬ ‫מלְֶך‬.ֶּ ַ‫ה‬ ‫הָאֵשׁ‬

BBH 6.4.4

the field

➣

the king

➣

the fire

➣

29

‫בַּשּׂ ָ דֶה‬ ‫מלְֶך‬.ֶּ ַ‫כּ‬ ‫בָּ אֵשׁ‬

in the field like the king in the fire

65

Prepositions The Preposition ‫מִן‬ The preposition ‫ מִן‬occurs both as a Maqqef preposition and as an inseparable preposition.

Maqqef Preposition

‫לְֶך‬.ֶ‫מִן–מ‬

from a king

Inseparable Preposition 1.

‫לְֶך‬.ֶ‫מִן–מ‬

➣

‫נ‬

‫ֶמלְֶך‬.ּ ִ‫מ‬

assimilated with Daghesh Forte 2.

‫יִת‬.ַ‫מִן–בּ‬

➣

‫נ‬

‫יִת‬.ַּ‫מִב‬

assimilated with Daghesh Lene becoming Daghesh Forte 3.

‫מִן–אִישׁ‬

➣

‫נ‬

‫מֵאִישׁ‬

assimilated with compensatory lengthening 4.

‫ֶרץ‬.ָ‫מִן–הָא‬

➣

‫נ‬

‫ֶרץ‬.ָ‫מֵהָא‬

assimilated with compensatory lengthening 5.

‫מִן–חוּץ‬

➣

‫נ‬

‫מִחוּץ‬

assimilated with virtual doubling

BBH 6.5

30

66

Prepositions Special Uses of the Preposition ‫מִן‬ Comparative Use

‫טוֹבָה חָכְמָה מִזָ ּהָב‬

Literally – Wisdom is good from gold. Comparatively – Wisdom is better than gold.

‫קָשָׁה הָעֲבוֹדָה מֵהָאֲנָשִׁים‬

Literally – The work is difficult from the men. Comparatively – The work is too difficult for the men.

Superlative Use

‫עָרוּם מִכֹּל חַיַּת הַשֶָּׂדה‬

Literally – clever from every living thing of the field Superlatively – the most clever living thing of the field

Partitive Use

‫מֵהָאֲנָשִׁים‬

Literally – from the men Partitively – some of the men

BBH 6.6

67

Prepositions

Definite Direct Object Marker –‫אֶת‬/‫אֵת‬

In Hebrew prose, definite direct objects are usually marked with –‫אֶת‬/‫אֵת‬.

‫יִם‬.ַ‫בָָּרא אֱֹלהִים אֵת הַשָּׁמ‬ God created the heavens.

‫לְֶך‬.‫פֶר לַ ֶמּ‬.ֵ‫נָתַן הַנָּבִיא אֶת–הַסּ‬ The prophet gave the book to the king.

‫אָהַב דָּוִד אֶת–יְהוֹנָתָן‬ David loved Jonathan.

‫לְֶך אֶת–תּוֹרוֹתָיו לָעָם‬.‫נָתַן הַ ֶמּ‬ The king gave his laws to the people

BBH 6.7

68

Adjectives

The Inflection of Hebrew Adjectives Hebrew adjectives are inflected for gender and number.

Inflected Adjective

Singular Plural

Masculine

Feminine

‫טוֹב‬ ‫טוֹבִים‬

‫טוֹבָה‬ ‫טוֹבוֹת‬

Inflectional Endings Masculine

Feminine

‫טוֹבִים‬

‫טוֹבָה‬ ‫טוֹבוֹת‬

Singular Plural

BBH 7.2

31

69

Adjectives

The Attributive Use of Adjectives

Attributive Use In the attributive usage, the adjective modifies a noun and agrees with that noun in gender, number, and definiteness. In this usage, the adjective follows the noun that it modifies.

‫אִישׁ טוֹב‬ ‫הָאִישׁ הַטּוֹב‬

a good man the good man

‫אִשָּׁה טוֹבָה‬ ‫הָאִשָּׁה הַטּוֹבָה‬

a good woman the good woman

‫אֲנָשִׁים טוֹבִים‬ ‫הָאֲנָשִׁים הַטּוֹבִים‬

good men the good men

‫נָשִׁים טוֹבוֹת‬ ‫הַנָּשִׁים הַטּוֹבוֹת‬

BBH 7.4.1

good women the good women

32

70

Adjectives

The Predicative Use of Adjectives

Predicative Use In the predicative usage, the adjective is used as part of a verbless clause and agrees with its noun in gender and number, but not in definiteness. The predicative adjective never takes the definite article. In this usage, the adjective may either precede or follow the noun.

‫הָאִישׁ טוֹב‬ ‫טוֹבָה הָאִשָּׁה‬

The man is good. The woman is good.

‫טוֹבִים הָאֲנָשִׁים‬ ‫הַנָּשִׁים טוֹבוֹת‬

BBH 7.4.2

The men are good. The women are good.

33

71

Adjectives

The Substantive Use of Adjectives

Substantive Use In the substantive usage, an adjective is used independently as a noun.

‫הֶחָכָם‬ ‫הַטּוֹבָה‬

BBH 7.4.3

the wise one (man) the good one (woman)

‫הַגְּדוֹלִים‬

the great ones (men)

‫הַצִַּדּיקוֹת‬

the righteous ones (women)

34

72

Adjectives

Adjectival Inflection: No Change in Spelling

Certain adjectives do not change their spelling with the addition of inflectional endings. ms mp

ms mp

BBH 7.10.1

‫טוֹב‬ ‫טוֹבִים‬ ‫צִַדּיק‬ ‫צִַדּיקִים‬

fs fp

fs fp

‫טוֹבָה‬ ‫טוֹבוֹת‬ ‫צִַדּיקָה‬ ‫צִַדּיקוֹת‬

73

Adjectives

Adjectival Inflection: Propretonic Reduction When the open, pretonic syllable of the masculine singular adjective (as in ‫ ) גָּדוֹל‬becomes propretonic with the addition of inflectional endings, a Qamets or Tsere in the propretonic syllable will reduce to Vocal Shewa or Hateph Pathach. ms mp

ms mp

ms mp

ms mp

BBH 7.10.2

‫גָּדוֹל‬ ‫גְּדוֹלִים‬ ‫זֵָקן‬ ‫זְֵקנִים‬ ‫יָשָׁר‬ ‫יְשִָׁרים‬ ‫חָכָם‬ ‫חֲכָמִים‬

fs fp

fs fp

fs fp

fs fp

‫גְּדוֹלָה‬ ‫גְּדוֹלוֹת‬ ‫זְֵקנָה‬ ‫זְֵקנוֹת‬ ‫יְשָָׁרה‬ ‫יְשָׁרוֹת‬ ‫חֲכָמָה‬ ‫חֲכָמוֹת‬ 74

Adjectives Adjectival Inflection: Adjectives Ending with ‫ֶה‬

With adjectives ending in ‫ בֶה‬in the masculine singular (as in ‫)קָשֶׁה‬, the ‫ בֶה‬ending is dropped when the inflectional endings are added.

ms mp

ms mp

BBH 7.10.3

‫קָשֶׁה‬ ‫קָשִׁים‬ ‫יָפֶה‬ ‫יָפִים‬

fs fp

fs fp

‫קָשָׁה‬ ‫קָשׁוֹת‬ ‫יָפָה‬ ‫יָפוֹת‬

75

Adjectives

Adjectival Inflection: Geminate Adjectives

Geminate adjectives like ‫ ַרב‬will take a Daghesh Forte in the second consonant with the addition of inflectional endings. ms mp

‫ַרב‬ ‫ַרבִּים‬

fs fp

‫ַרבָּה‬ ‫ַרבּוֹת‬

If the Geminate consonant is a guttural, it rejects the Daghesh Forte and the Pathach lengthens to Qamets (compensatory lengthening). ms mp

BBH 7.10.4

‫ַרע‬ ‫רָ עִים‬

fs fp

‫רָ עָה‬ ‫רָ עוֹת‬

76

Pronouns

Independent Personal Pronouns Singular 1 com 2 masc 2 fem 3 masc 3 fem

‫אָנֹכִי‬, ‫אֲנִי‬ ‫אַתָּה‬ ְ‫אַתּ‬ ‫הוּא‬ ‫הִוא‬, ‫הִיא‬

Plural I you you he/it she/it

‫אֲנ> ַחְנוּ‬ ‫אַתֶּם‬ ‫נָה‬.ֵ‫אַתּ‬ ‫מָּה‬.ֵ‫ה‬, ‫הֵם‬ ‫נָּה‬.ֵ‫ה‬, ‫הֵן‬

we you you they they

Notes 1. The independent personal pronoun is labeled independent because it stands alone and is not prefixed or suffixed to another word. 2. Independent personal pronouns are subjective, meaning they are used as the subject of a verb and never as the object of the verb. 3. Independent personal pronouns may also appear as the subject of a verbless clause. For this reason, they are sometimes called subject pronouns.

BBH 8.2-3

35

77

Pronouns

The Use of Independent Personal Pronouns

The following examples illustrate how independent personal pronouns are used with other nouns, adjectives, or prepositional phrases in a predicative relationship. A form of the verb “to be” (in the present tense) is supplied in translation.

‫אֲנִי יְהוָה‬ ‫הוּא נָבִיא צִַדּיק‬ ‫לְֶך טוֹב‬.ֶ‫אַתָּה מ‬ ‫אַחִים אֲנַ>חְנוּ‬ ‫הִיא אִשָּׁה חֲכָמָה‬ ‫אַתֶּם בָּעִיר הַגְּדוֹלָה‬

BBH 8.4

I am Yahweh (the Lord). He is a righteous prophet. You (2ms) are a good king. We are brothers. She is a wise woman. You (2mp) are in the great city.

78

Pronouns

The Relative Pronoun

‫אֲשֶׁר‬ (who, which, that) The form of this word does not change in order to indicate the gender or number of its antecedent. It may appear with or without Maqqef. When functioning as a relative pronoun introducing a relative clause, it immediately follows the noun it is modifying.

‫הָעֵץ אֲשֶׁר בְּתוְֹך–הַגָּן‬ ‫יִם‬.‫חַת הַשָּׁ ַמ‬.ַ‫הֶהִָרים אֲשֶׁר–תּ‬ ‫לְֶך אֲשֶׁר בְּחְַרתֶּם‬.ֶ‫הַמּ‬ ‫דָּוִד אֲשֶׁר בְּבֵית יְהוָה‬

BBH 8.8

the tree that (is) in the middle of the garden the mountains that (are) under the heavens the king whom you chose David, who (is) in the house of the LORD

79

Demonstratives Paradigm and Notes

Singular Masc Fem Masc Fem

‫זֶה‬ ‫זֹאת‬ ‫הוּא‬ ‫הִיא‬

Plural

‫לֶּה‬.ֵ‫א‬ ‫לֶּה‬.ֵ‫א‬ ‫מָּה‬.ֵ‫ה‬, ‫הֵם‬ ‫נָּה‬.ֵ‫ה‬, ‫הֵן‬

this this that that

these these those those

Notes 1. Demonstratives may be used either as adjectives (this man, those women) or as pronouns (this is the man, those are the women). 2. The masculine and feminine singular forms (‫ הוּא‬and ‫ )הִיא‬are identical to the third person masculine and feminine singular independent personal pronouns. 3. The demonstrative ‫לֶּה‬.ֵ‫( א‬these) is both masculine and feminine plural. Remember that the designation for this phenomenon is “common,” meaning not inflected for gender.

BBH 8.5-6

36

80

Demonstratives Used As Adjectives

When a demonstrative is functioning as an adjective, it will follow the noun it modifies and agree in gender, number, and definiteness. This is comparable to the attributive use of adjectives.

‫הָאִישׁ הַזֶּה‬ ‫הָאִשָּׁה הַזֹּאת‬ ‫הָאִישׁ הַהוּא‬ ‫הָאִשָּׁה הַהִיא‬ ‫לֶּה‬.ֵ‫הָאֲנָשִׁים הָא‬ ‫לֶּה‬.ֵ‫הַנָּשִׁים הָא‬ ‫הָאֲנָשִׁים הָהֵם‬ ‫נָּה‬.ֵ‫הַנָּשִׁים הָה‬ BBH 8.7.1

this man this woman that man that woman these men these women those men those women

81

Demonstratives Used As Pronouns

When a demonstrative is functioning as a pronoun, it will precede the noun and agree in gender and number but not in definiteness. This is comparable to the predicative use of adjectives.

‫זֶה הָאִישׁ‬ ‫זֹאת הָאִשָּׁה‬ ‫הוּא הָאִישׁ‬ ‫הִיא הָאִשָּׁה‬ ‫לֶּה הָאֲנָשִׁים‬.ֵ‫א‬ ‫לֶּה הַנָּשִׁים‬.ֵ‫א‬ ‫הֵם הָאֲנָשִׁים‬ ‫נָּה הַנָּשִׁים‬.ֵ‫ה‬ BBH 8.7.2

This is the man. This is the woman. That is the man. That is the woman. These are the men. These are the women. Those are the men. Those are the women.

82

Demonstratives

Nouns with a Demonstrative Adjective and an Attributive Adjective When a noun is modified by both an attributive adjective and a demonstrative adjective (as in “this good book”), all three must agree in gender, number, and definiteness. In terms of word order, the noun will be first, the attributive adjective will be second, and the demonstrative adjective will be last.

‫הָאִישׁ הַטּוֹב הַזֶּה‬ ‫הָאִשָּׁה הַטּוֹבָה הַזֹּאת‬ ‫הָאִישׁ הַטּוֹב הַהוּא‬ ‫הָאִשָּׁה הַטּוֹבָה הַהִיא‬ ‫לֶּה‬.ֵ‫הָאֲנָשִׁים הַטּוֹבִים הָא‬ ‫לֶּה‬.ֵ‫הַנָּשִׁים הַטּוֹבוֹת הָא‬ ‫הָאֲנָשִׁים הַטּוֹבִים הָהֵם‬ ‫נָּה‬.ֵ‫הַנָּשִׁים הַטּוֹבוֹת הָה‬ BBH 8.7.2

this good man this good woman that good man that good woman these good men these good women those good men those good women

83

Demonstratives

Nouns with a Demonstrative Pronoun and an Attributive Adjective

When a noun is modified by both an attributive adjective and a demonstrative pronoun (as in “this is the good book”), the demonstrative pronoun will be first (without the definite article) and the noun will follow. The attributive adjective will be last and will agree with the noun in gender, number, and definiteness.

‫זֶה הָאִישׁ הַטּוֹב‬ ‫לֶּה הָאֲנָשִׁים הַטּוֹבִים‬.ֵ‫א‬ ‫הִיא הָאִשָּׁה הַטּוֹבָה‬ ‫נָּה הַנָּשִׁים הַטּוֹבוֹת‬.ֵ‫ה‬

BBH 8.7.2

This is the good man. These are the good men. That is the good woman. Those are the good women.

84

Interrogatives

Interrogative Pronouns

‫ מִי‬Who? ‫ מָה‬What? Interrogative pronouns are used to ask a question. These pronouns may appear with or without Maqqef. The vocalization of ‫ מָה‬may change slightly (‫ מַה‬or ‫)מֶה‬. When spelled ‫מַה‬, a Daghesh Forte will usually appear in the first consonant of the following word.

‫מַה–שְּׁמוֹ‬ ָ‫ית‬.ִ‫מֶה–עָשׂ‬ ‫מָה הַחֲלוֹם הַזֶּה‬ ‫מִי–אַתָּה‬ ‫מִי–הָאִישׁ הַזֶּה‬ ‫לֶּה‬.ֵ‫מִי הָאֲנָשִׁים הָא‬ BBH 8.9

What (is) his name? What have you done? What (is) this dream? Who (are) you? Who (is) this man? Who (are) these men?

85

Interrogatives

The Interrogative Particle

ֲ‫ה‬ The interrogative particle is prefixed to the first word of a sentence. The first sentence below is a statement. The second sentence is a question because the interrogative particle has been prefixed to the first word.

‫לְֶך אֶת–הַנָּבִיא‬.‫שָׁלַח הַ ֶמּ‬ ‫לְֶך אֶת–הַנָּבִיא‬.‫הֲשָׁלַח הַ ֶמּ‬

The king sent the prophet. Did the king send the prophet?

The Spelling of the Interrogative Particle 1. 2. 3.

ֲ‫ ה‬before most consonants, as in the above example ‫ ַה‬before gutturals or any consonant with Shewa ‫ ֶה‬before gutturals with Qamets

BBH 8.10

37

86

Interrogatives

Confusing the Interrogative Particle and the Definite Article

To avoid confusing the interrogative particle and the definite article, remember the following clues.

1. The Hateph Pathach (ֲ‫ )ה‬of the interrogative particle is not the spelling of the definite article (ּ‫)הַב‬.

2. The interrogative particle does not normally have an associated Daghesh Forte as does the definite article. 3. The interrogative particle is usually prefixed to a verbal form. The definite article, of course, will not appear on a verb.

BBH 8.10

87

Interrogatives

The Ten Most Frequent Interrogatives

ֲ‫ה‬

prefixed to the first word of a question (664)

‫מָה‬

what? also spelled ‫ מַה‬and ‫( מֶה‬571)

‫מִי‬

who? (424)

‫מָּה‬.ָ‫ל‬

why? also spelled ‫( לָמָה‬178)

ַ‫וּע‬. ‫מַדּ‬

why? (72)

‫אֵיְך‬

how? (61)

‫אַיֵּה‬

where? (52)

‫מָתַי‬

when? (43)

‫נָה‬.ָ‫א‬

where? ‫נָה‬.ָ‫ עַד–א‬how long? (42)

‫אֵי‬

BBH 8.12, 14

where? (33)

88

Pronominal Suffixes on Nominals Introduction

1. Pronominal suffixes are pronouns that are suffixed to nouns, prepositions, or the definite direct object marker (and verbs to be studied later). 2. Pronominal suffixes may be either possessive (my, your, his, her, our, their) or objective (me, you, him, her, us, them). 3. When appearing on nouns, pronominal suffixes are possessive (as in “his book” or “her wisdom”). When appearing on prepositions or the definite direct object marker (and verbs), they are objective (as in “to them” or “them”). 4. All pronominal suffixes have person (first, second, third), gender (masculine, feminine, common), and number (singular, plural). 5. In Hebrew, there are two sets of pronominal suffixes: Type 1 and Type 2. The suffixes of each set have the same possessive and objective translation values. In general, Type 1 suffixes occur with singular nouns and the definite direct object marker. Type 2 suffixes occur with plural nouns. Prepositions may take either type of suffix. BBH 9.1

89

Pronominal Suffixes on Nominals Translating Pronominal Suffixes

1. When attached to nouns, pronominal suffixes are possessive as these two examples with ‫( סוּס‬horse) illustrate.

‫סוּסְָך‬ ‫ֶיָך‬.‫סוּס‬

your (ms) horse your (ms) horses

2. When attached to prepositions, pronominal suffixes are objective as these two examples with ְ‫( ל‬to) illustrate.

‫לְָך‬ ‫לָכֶם‬

to you (ms) to you (mp)

3. When attached to the definite direct object marker (–‫אֶת‬/‫)אֵת‬, pronominal suffixes are objective.

‫אֹתוֹ‬ ‫אֹתָם‬

BBH 9.1

him them (mp)

90

Pronominal Suffixes on Nominals Type 1 and Type 2

BBH 9.2

Type 1 Suffixes

Type 2 Suffixes

Translation Possessive/Objective

1cs

‫ִי‬

‫ַי‬

2ms

‫ָך‬

‫יָך‬.ֶ

your/you

2fs

‫ְך‬

‫יְִך‬.ַ

your/you

3ms

‫וֹ‬

‫ָיו‬

his/him

3fs

‫ָהּ‬

ָ‫יה‬.ֶ

her/her

1cp

‫נוּ‬

‫ֵינוּ‬.

our/us

2mp

‫כֶם‬

‫ֵיכֶם‬

your/you

2fp

‫כֶן‬

‫ֵיכֶן‬

your/you

3mp

‫הֶם‬

‫ֵיהֶם‬

their/them

3fp

‫הֶן‬

‫ֵיהֶן‬

their/them

my/me

91

Pronominal Suffixes on Nominals Alternate Type 1 Suffixes

Type 1 Suffix

BBH 9.3.5

Alternate Form

1cs

‫ִי‬

➣

‫נִי‬

3ms

‫וֹ‬

➣

‫הוּ‬

3fs

‫ָהּ‬

➣

ָ‫ה‬

3mp

‫הֶם‬

➣

‫ָם‬

3fp

‫הֶן‬

➣

‫ָן‬

92

Pronominal Suffixes on Nominals Distinguishing Between Type 1 and Type 2

There are many similarities between Type 1 and Type 2 suffixes. Note, however, that all Type 2 suffixes have ‫י‬ (Yod) as part of their spelling. The presence of this ‫ י‬will enable you to distinguish between the two types.

BBH 9.3.3

Type 1

Type 2

‫ֵנוּ‬.‫סוּס‬

‫ֵינוּ‬.‫סוּס‬

our horse

our horses

‫סוּסְכֶם‬

‫סוּסֵיכֶם‬

your (mp) horse

your (mp) horses

93

Pronominal Suffixes on Nominals Masculine Nouns

Type 1 Suffixes Noun ms 1cs 2ms 2fs 3ms 3fs 1cp 2mp 2fp 3mp 3fp

‫סוּסִי‬ ‫סוּסְָך‬ ‫סוּסְֵך‬ ‫סוּסוֹ‬ ‫סוּסָהּ‬ ‫ֵנוּ‬.‫סוּס‬ ‫סוּסְכֶם‬ ‫סוּסְכֶן‬ ‫סוּסָם‬ ‫סוּסָן‬

my horse your horse your horse his horse her horse our horse your horse your horse their horse their horse

Type 2 Suffixes Noun mp

‫סוּסַי‬ ‫ֶיָך‬.‫סוּס‬ ‫יְִך‬.‫סוּ ַס‬ ‫סוּסָיו‬ ָ‫ֶיה‬.‫סוּס‬ ‫ֵינוּ‬.‫סוּס‬ ‫סוּסֵיכֶם‬ ‫סוּסֵיכֶן‬ ‫סוּסֵיהֶם‬ ‫סוּסֵיהֶן‬

my horses your horses your horses his horses her horses our horses your horses your horses their horses their horses

Note: When pronominal suffixes are added to masculine plural nouns, the masculine plural ending (‫ )דִים‬is dropped. In the absence of this ending, a masculine noun is recognizable as a plural only by the spelling of the Type 2 pronominal suffix.

BBH 9.4-5

94

Pronominal Suffixes on Nominals

Distinguishing Between 1cs Type 1 and Type 2 Suffixes

Be careful to note the important difference in spelling between the 1cs Type 1 and Type 2 suffixes. The Type 1 suffix is spelled as Hireq Yod; the Type 2 suffix is spelled as Pathach Yod

BBH 9.4-5

‫סוּסִי‬

‫סוּסַי‬

my horse

my horses

95

Pronominal Suffixes on Nominals Feminine Nouns

Type 1 Suffixes Noun fs

‫תּוָֹרתִי‬ 2ms ‫תְָך‬,‫תּוֹר‬ ‫תּוָֹרתְֵך‬ 2fs 3ms ‫תּוָֹרתוֹ‬ ּ‫תּוָֹרת ָה‬ 3fs 1cp ‫ֵנוּ‬.‫תּוָֹרת‬ 2mp ‫תּוַֹרתְכֶם‬ 2fp ‫תּוַֹרתְכֶן‬ 3mp ‫תּוָֹרתָם‬ ‫תּוָֹרתָן‬ 3fp

1cs

Type 2 Suffixes Noun fp

‫תּוֹרוֹתַי‬ ‫ֶיָך‬.‫תּוֹרוֹת‬ ‫יְִך‬.‫תּוֹרוֹ ַת‬ ‫תּוֹרוֹתָיו‬ ָ‫ֶיה‬.‫תּוֹרוֹת‬ ‫ינוּ‬.ֵ‫תּוֹרוֹת‬ ‫תּוֹרוֹתֵיכֶם‬ ‫תּוֹרוֹתֵיכֶן‬ ‫תּוֹרוֹתֵיהֶם‬ ‫תּוֹרוֹתֵיהֶן‬

my law your law your law his law her law our law your law your law their law their law

my laws your laws your laws his laws her laws our laws your laws your laws their laws their laws

Note: When a feminine singular noun ending in ‫(בָה‬as in ‫ )תּוָֹרה‬receives a pronominal suffix, the ‫ ה‬is replaced by ‫ת‬ (‫ תּוָֹרה‬becomes ‫ ) תּוָֹרת‬before the suffix.

BBH 9.6-7

39

96

Pronominal Suffixes on Nominals Identifying a Noun as Feminine Plural

‫יָך‬.ֶ‫תּוֹרוֹת‬ your (ms) laws

This noun (‫ )תּוָֹרה‬is easy to identify as a plural. Unlike masculine plural nouns which drop the diagnostic plural ending (‫ )בִים‬with the addition of a pronominal suffix, feminine nouns retain the plural ending (‫ )וֹת‬before a suffix. Additionally, the ‫יָך‬.ֶ ending is a Type 2 suffix, which further identifies the noun as plural.

BBH 9.6-7

97

Pronominal Suffixes on Nominals Spelling Changes in Nouns

Most nouns will experience vowel changes with the addition of pronominal suffixes.

Lexical Form

‫דָּבָר‬ ‫דָּבָר‬ ‫יִת‬.‫ַבּ‬ ‫וֶת‬.‫ָמ‬

Nouns with Suffixes Translation ➣ ➣ ➣ ➣

‫ְדּבִָרי‬ ‫ִדּבְֵריהֶן‬ ‫בֵּיתְָך‬ ‫מוֹתוֹ‬

my word their (fp) words your (ms) house his death

Despite these vowel changes, you should be able to identify most nouns with pronominal suffixes if you: (1) memorize all Type 1 and Type 2 suffixes; (2) build a frequency vocabulary; and (3) become familiar with the use of a standard lexicon and the format of noun and preposition entries.

BBH 9.8

98

Pronominal Suffixes on Nominals Monosyllabic Nouns

Type 1 Suffixes Noun ms 1cs 2ms 2fs 3ms 3fs 1cp 2mp 2fp 3mp 3fp

‫אָחִי‬ ‫ִיָך‬.‫אָח‬ ‫ִיְך‬.‫אָח‬ ‫אָחִיו‬ ָ‫ִיה‬.‫אָח‬ ‫ִינוּ‬.‫אָח‬ ‫אֲחִיכֶם‬ ‫אֲחִיכֶן‬ ‫אֲחִיהֶם‬ ‫אֲחִיהֶן‬

my brother your brother your brother his brother her brother our brother your brother your brother their brother their brother

Type 2 Suffixes Noun mp

‫אַחַי‬ ‫ֶיָך‬.‫אַח‬ ‫יְִך‬.‫אַ ַח‬ ‫אֶחָיו‬ ָ‫יה‬.ֶ‫אַח‬ ‫ֵינוּ‬.‫אַח‬ ‫אֲחֵיכֶם‬ ‫אֲחֵיכֶן‬ ‫אֲחֵיהֶם‬ ‫אֲחֵיהֶן‬

my brothers your brothers your brothers his brothers her brothers our brothers your brothers your brothers their brothers their brothers

Note: Certain singular monosyllabic nouns add Hireq Yod before a pronominal suffix. The addition of the Hireq Yod to singular nouns with Type 1 suffixes may cause them to be confused with plural nouns having Type 2 suffixes. The singular noun paradigm has Hireq Yod (‫ִיָך‬.‫אָח‬, your brother). The plural noun paradigm varies its vowel but it is never Hireq Yod (‫ֶיָך‬.‫אַח‬, your brothers). BBH 9.9

99

Pronominal Suffixes on Nominals Prepositions with Pronominal Suffixes

1. When prepositions take pronominal suffixes, they are objective rather than possessive. In other words, they usually function as the object of the preposition as in “with her” or “to them.”

2. Some prepositions take Type 1 suffixes and others take Type 2.

ְ‫ ל‬with Type 1

‫ עַל‬with Type 2

‫לְָך‬

‫ֶיָך‬.‫עָל‬

to you (ms)

on you (ms)

3. Don’t be concerned with a preposition’s preference for Type 1 or Type 2 suffixes. On prepositions, the translation value is the same for both types.

BBH 9.10-11

100

Pronominal Suffixes on Nominals Prepositions ְ‫ ל‬and ‫עַל‬ Type 1 Suffixes 1cs 2ms 2fs 3ms 3fs 1cp 2mp 2fp 3mp 3fp

‫לִי‬ ‫לְָך‬ ‫לְָך‬ ‫לוֹ‬ ‫לָהּ‬ ‫ָנוּ‬.‫ל‬ ‫לָכֶם‬ ‫לָכֶן‬ ‫לָהֶם‬ ‫לָהֶן‬

Type 2 Suffixes

‫עָלַי‬ ‫ֶיָך‬.‫עָל‬ ‫יְִך‬.‫עָ ַל‬ ‫עָלָיו‬ ָ‫ֶיה‬.‫עָל‬ ‫ֵינוּ‬.‫עָל‬ ‫עֲלֵיכֶם‬ ‫עֲלֵיכֶן‬ ‫עֲלֵיהֶם‬ ‫עֲלֵיהֶן‬

to me to you to you to him to her to us to you to you to them to them

on me on you on you on him on her on us on you on you on them on them

Note: The prepositions ְ‫( ל‬to, for), ְ‫( בּ‬in, on), ‫( עִם‬with), and ‫( אֵת‬with) all take Type 1 suffixes. Prepositions that take Type 2 suffixes include: ‫( עַל‬on, upon), ‫( אֶל‬to, for), ‫חַת‬.‫תּ‬ ַ (under), and ‫( אַחֲֵרי‬after).

BBH 9.10-11

40

101

Pronominal Suffixes on Nominals Prepositions ְ‫ כּ‬and ‫מִן‬ ְ‫כּ‬ 1cs 2ms 2fs 3ms 3fs 1cp 2mp 2fp 3mp 3fp

‫וֹנִי‬.‫כָּמ‬ ‫וָֹך‬.‫כָּמ‬ ‫כָּמוְֹך‬ ‫וֹהוּ‬.‫כָּמ‬ ָ‫וֹה‬.‫כָּמ‬ ‫וֹנוּ‬.‫כָּמ‬ ‫כָּכֶם‬ ‫כָּכֶן‬ ‫כָּהֶם‬ ‫כָּהֶן‬

like me like you like you like him like her like us like you like you like them like them

‫מִן‬ ‫נִּי‬.‫מִ ֶמּ‬ ‫מִמְָּך‬ ‫מִמְֵּך‬ ‫ֶנּוּ‬.‫מִמּ‬ ‫נָּה‬.ֶ‫מִמּ‬ ‫נּוּ‬.ֶ‫מִמּ‬ ‫מִכֶּם‬ ‫מִכֶּן‬ ‫מֵהֶם‬ ‫מֵהֶן‬

from me from you from you from him from her from us from you from you from them from them

Note: With the preposition ְ‫כּ‬, the forms with singular and 1cp suffixes exhibit a longer spelling of the preposition (‫וֹ‬.‫)כָּמ‬. With the preposition ‫מִן‬, forms with singular and 1cp suffixes also exhibit a longer spelling of the preposition (‫ )מִמּ‬in most forms. BBH 9.12-13

102

Pronominal Suffixes on Nominals The Definite Direct Object Marker –‫אֶת‬/‫אֵת‬

The object marker –‫אֶת‬/‫ אֵת‬takes Type 1 pronominal suffixes and it is translated as a personal pronoun in the objective or accusative case.

‫זָכַר אֹתָם‬ He remembered them

BBH 9.14

103

Pronominal Suffixes on Nominals Distinguishing Between the Definite Direct Object Marker and the Preposition –‫אֶת‬/‫ אֵת‬with Suffixes Object Marker 1cs 2ms 2fs 3ms 3fs 1cp 2mp 2fp 3mp 3fp

‫אֹתִי‬ ‫אֹתְָך‬ ‫אֹתְָך‬ ‫אֹתוֹ‬ ‫אֹתָהּ‬ ‫ָנוּ‬.‫אֹת‬ ‫אֶתְכֶם‬ ‫אֶתְכֶן‬ ‫אֹתָם‬ ‫אֹתָן‬

me you you him her us you you them them

Preposition

‫אִתִּי‬ ‫אִתְָּך‬ ‫אִתְָּך‬ ‫אִתּוֹ‬ ‫אִתָּהּ‬ ‫ָנוּ‬.‫אִתּ‬ ‫אִתְּכֶם‬ ‫אִתְּכֶן‬ ‫אִתָּם‬ ‫אִתָּן‬

with me with you with you with him with her with us with you with you with them with them

Note: The object marker with pronominal suffixes is distinguished by a Holem with the initial consonant (‫) אֹתִי‬. The vowel is Seghol in the 2mp and 2fp forms (‫)אֶתְכֶם‬. The preposition is distinguished by Hireq under the initial consonant and Daghesh Forte in the ‫)אִתִּי( ת‬. BBH 9.14

104

Pronominal Suffixes on Nominals The Preposition ‫ עִם‬and the Noun ‫עַם‬ ‫עִם‬ 1cs 2ms 2fs 3ms 3fs 1cp 2mp 2fp 3mp 3fp

‫עִמִּי‬ ‫עִמְָּך‬ ‫עִמְָּך‬ ‫עִמּוֹ‬ ‫עִמָּהּ‬ ‫נוּ‬.ָ‫עִמּ‬ ‫עִמָּכֶם‬ ‫עִמָּכֶן‬ ‫עִמָּם‬ ‫עִמָּן‬

with me with you with you with him with her with us with you with you with them with them

‫עַם‬ ‫עַמִּי‬ ‫עַמְָּך‬ ‫עַמְֵּך‬ ‫עַמּוֹ‬ ‫עַמָּהּ‬ ‫ֵנוּ‬.‫עַמּ‬ ‫עַמְּכֶם‬ ‫עַמְּכֶן‬ ‫עַמָּם‬ ‫עַמָּן‬

my people your people your people his people her people our people your people your people their people their people

Note: The preposition has Hireq under the initial consonant (‫ עִמִּי‬, with me) and the noun has Pathach (‫עַמִּי‬, my people). Both words take a Daghesh Forte in the ‫ מ‬when pronominal suffixes are added.

BBH 9.15

105

Pronominal Suffixes on Nominals Summary Chart

1cs 2ms 2fs 3ms 3fs

1cp 2mp 2fp 3mp 3fp

BBH 9.16.14

Type 1 Suffixes

Type 1 Alternate

‫ִי‬ ‫ָך‬ ‫ְך‬ ‫וֹ‬ ‫בָהּ‬

‫נִי‬

‫נוּ‬ ‫כֶם‬ ‫כֶן‬ ‫הֶם‬ ‫הֶן‬

Type 2 Suffixes

Translation Possesive/Objective my/me

‫הוּ‬ ָ‫ה‬

‫ַי‬ ‫יָך‬.ֶ ‫יְִך‬.ַ ‫ָיו‬ ָ‫יה‬.ֶ

our/us

‫בָם‬ ‫בָן‬

‫ֵינוּ‬. ‫ֵיכֶם‬ ‫ֵיכֶן‬ ‫ֵיהֶם‬ ‫ֵיהֶן‬ 41

your/you your/you his/him her/her

your/you your/you their/them their/them

106

Construct Chain Introduction

Hebrew expresses the “of” relationship between two nouns by what is called the construct chain. This grammatical (possessive) relationship is created by placing two or more nouns side by side.

‫לְֶך‬.ֶ‫בֶד הַמּ‬.ֶ‫ע‬ Absolute Noun

Construct Noun

“the servant of the king” The first of the two nouns in the construct chain is called the construct noun and is said to be in the construct state. The second of the two nouns is called the absolute noun and is said to be in the absolute state. The absolute form of a singular noun is also its lexical form.

BBH 10.2.1

42

107

Construct Chain

Examples of Simple Construct Chains

The first noun in each construct chain is the construct noun. The second of the two nouns in each chain is the absolute noun.

‫קוֹל הָאִישׁ‬ ‫ֶָרץ‬.‫לְֶך הָא‬.ֶ‫מ‬ ‫לְֶך‬.ֶ‫בֶד הַמּ‬.ֶ‫ע‬ ‫ְדּבַר הַנָּבִיא‬ ‫פֶר הַתּוָֹרה‬.ֵ‫ס‬

BBH 10.1

the voice of the man the king of the land the servant of the king the word of the prophet the book of the law

108

Construct Chain

Definiteness and Indefiniteness Construct chains are either definite (the … of the …) or indefinite (a … of a …). The definiteness or indefiniteness of a construct chain is determined by the absolute noun. If the absolute noun is definite, both nouns in the construct chain are definite. If the absolute noun is indefinite, both nouns in the construct chain are indefinite.

Definite Construct Chain

‫פֶר הַנָּבִיא‬.ֵ‫ס‬ “the book of the prophet”

Indefinite Construct Chain

‫פֶר נָבִיא‬.ֵ‫ס‬ “a book of a prophet”

BBH 10.2.2

43

109

Construct Chain Noun Definiteness

A noun is considered to be definite under three circumstances: (1) if it has the definite article as in ‫( הַמַּלְכָּה‬the queen)

‫ְדּבַר הַמַּלְכָּה‬ the word of the queen

(2) if it has a pronominal suffix as in ‫( אָבִי‬my father)

‫בֵּית אָבִי‬ the house of my father

(3) if it is a proper noun as in ‫( שְׁמוּאֵל‬Samuel)

‫בֶד שְׁמוּאֵל‬.ֶ‫ע‬ the servant of Samuel

BBH 10.2.2

110

Construct Chain Multiple Construct Nouns

A construct chain can have multiple construct nouns but there can be only one absolute noun. The absolute noun is always the last noun in the construct chain. Again, the definiteness of each noun in the construct chain depends on the definiteness of the one absolute noun.

‫לְֶך‬.ֶ‫בֶד אֲחִי הַמּ‬.ֶ‫ע‬ the servant of the brother of the king

‫לְֶך‬.ֶ‫בֶד בֵּית הַמּ‬.ֶ‫ע‬ the servant of the house of the king

‫ֶרץ‬.ָ‫ֶלְֶך הָא‬.‫ִדּבְֵרי מ‬ the words of the king of the land

BBH 10.2.3

44

111

Construct Chain

Construct Nouns with Attributive Adjectives

When an attributive adjective modifies either the construct noun or the absolute noun, it must follow the entire chain and it must agree with the noun it modifies in gender, number, and definiteness.

‫ֶָרץ הַטּוֹב‬.‫לְֶך הָא‬.ֶ‫מ‬ the good king of the land

‫ֶָרץ הַטּוֹבָה‬.‫לְֶך הָא‬.ֶ‫מ‬ the king of the good land

BBH 10.3.1

45

112

Construct Chain

Possible Ambiguity with Attributive Adjectives

In the following construct chains, the adjective may modify either the construct noun or the absolute noun. In ambiguous constructions like these, context must be your guide.

‫ֶלְֶך הַטּוֹב‬.‫ְדּבַר הַמּ‬ the good word of the king or the word of the good king

‫בֶד הַנָּבִיא הַָרע‬.ֶ‫ע‬ the evil servant of the prophet or the servant of the evil prophet

BBH 10.3.1

113

Construct Chain

Construct Chains with Demonstrative Adjectives

Like attributive adjectives, demonstrative adjectives must follow the construct chain.

‫לֶּה‬.ֵ‫ִדּבְֵרי הַנָּבִיא הָא‬ these words of the prophet

‫ִדּבְֵרי הַנָּבִיא הַזֶּה‬ the words of this prophet

‫ִדּבְֵרי הַנָּבִיא הַטּוֹב הַזֶּה‬ the words of this good prophet

‫ְדּבַר הַנָּבִיא הַזֶּה‬ the word of this prophet or this word of the prophet

BBH 10.3.2

114

Construct Chain

The Spelling of Nouns in the Construct State: Introduction With some nouns, the spelling of the singular construct form is identical to that of the lexical (or absolute) form. Lexical/Absolute Spelling

‫סוּס‬ ‫לְֶך‬.ֶ‫מ‬

Construct Spelling

horse

➣

king

➣

‫סוּס‬ ‫לְֶך‬.ֶ‫מ‬

horse of king of

Most construct nouns, however, are spelled differently than their lexical (or absolute) form. Lexical/Absolute Spelling

‫ָדּבָר‬ ‫תּוָֹרה‬ ‫אָב‬ BBH 10.5

Construct Spelling

word

➣

law

➣

father

➣

‫ְדּבַר‬ ‫תּוַֹרת‬ ‫אֲבִי‬

word of law of father of

115

Construct Chain

The Spelling of Nouns in the Construct State: Endingless Nouns (Masculine or Feminine) In a construct chain, endingless nouns surrender their primary accent and the following rules of vowel reduction apply. 1. Qamets (and sometimes Tsere) changes to Pathach in a final closed syllable.

‫מִשְׁפָּט‬ ַ‫מִזְבֵּח‬

judgment

➣

altar

➣

‫מִשְׁפַּט‬ ‫מִזְבַּח‬

judgment of altar of

2. Qamets or Tsere change to Vocal Shewa in an open, unaccented syllable.

‫שָׁלוֹם‬ ‫מָקוֹם‬

peace

➣

place

➣

‫שְׁלוֹם‬ ‫מְקוֹם‬

peace of place of

3. Both of the rules above may apply to the formation of a noun in the construct state.

‫דָּבָר‬ ‫לֵבָב‬

word

➣

heart

➣

‫דְּבַר‬ ‫לְבַב‬

word of heart of

4. In monosyllabic nouns with changeable long vowels, the long vowels reduce to the corresponding short vowel.

‫בֵּן‬ ‫כֹּל‬ BBH 10.5.1

son

➣

all

➣

‫בֶּן‬ ‫כָּל‬

son of all of 116

Construct Chain

The Spelling of Nouns in the Construct State: Masculine Plural and Dual

The masculine plural ‫ בִים‬and the dual ‫יִם‬.ַ‫ ב‬endings are replaced by ‫( בֵי‬Tsere Yod) in the construct state and then the second rule of vowel reduction is applied.

‫אֱֹלהִים‬ ‫בָּנִים‬ ‫עֵינַ>יִם‬ ‫דְּבִָרים‬

God

➣

sons

➣

(two) eyes

➣

words

➣

‫אֱֹלהֵי‬ ‫בְּנ ֵי‬ ‫עֵינ ֵי‬ ‫ִדּבְרֵ י‬

God of sons of (two) eyes of words of

In the last example, both propretonic reduction and Rule of Shewa are applied to produce the construct plural.

‫דִּבְֵרי ➣ ְדּבְֵרי ➣ ְדּבִָרים‬

BBH 10.5.2

46

117

Construct Chain

The Spelling of Nouns in the Construct State: Feminine Singular Nouns Ending in ‫ָה‬

Feminine singular nouns ending in ‫ בָה‬change

this ending to ‫ בַת‬in the construct state and then the second rule of vowel reduction is applied.

‫תּוָֹרה‬ ‫מַלְכָּה‬ ‫שָׁנָה‬

BBH 10.5.3

law

➣

queen

➣

year

➣

47

‫תּוֹ ַרת‬ ‫מַלְכַּת‬ ‫שְׁנ ַת‬

law of queen of year of

118

Construct Chain

The Spelling of Nouns in the Construct State: Feminine Plural

Feminine plural nouns ending in ‫ וֹת‬retain this plural ending and then the second rule of vowel reduction is applied.

‫מַמְלָכוֹת‬ ‫שֵׁמוֹת‬ ‫שָׂדוֹת‬ ‫בְָּרכוֹת‬

kingdoms

➣

names

➣

fields

➣

blessings

➣

‫מַמְלְכוֹת‬ ‫שְׁמוֹת‬ ‫שְׂדוֹת‬ ‫בְִּרכוֹת‬

kingdoms of names of fields of blessings of

In the last example, both propretonic reduction and Rule of Shewa are applied to produce the construct plural.

‫בְִּרכוֹת ➣ בְְּרכוֹת ➣ בְָּרכוֹת‬

48

BBH 10.5.4

119

Construct Chain

The Spelling of Nouns in the Construct State: Certain Monosyllabic Nouns

Certain singular monosyllabic nouns add Hireq Yod to their stem in the construct state. Do not confuse this Hireq Yod with the 1cs pronominal suffix (‫“ אָבִי‬my father”).

‫אָב‬ ‫אָח‬

father

➣

brother

➣

‫אֲבִי‬ ‫אֲחִי‬

father of brother of

The diphthong ִ‫ַי‬.‫( ב‬as in ‫יִת‬.ַ‫ )בּ‬changes to Tsere Yod in the construct state.

‫יִת‬.‫ַבּ‬ ‫יִן‬.ַ‫ע‬

BBH 10.5.5-6

house

➣

spring

➣

49

‫בֵּית‬ ‫עֵין‬

house of spring of

120

Construct Chain

The Spelling of Nouns in the Construct State: Segholate Nouns The construct spelling of a singular Segholate noun is the same as its lexical (or absolute) spelling.

‫לְֶך‬.ֶ‫מ‬ ‫פֶר‬.ֵ‫ס‬ ‫ֶקר‬.ֹ‫בּ‬ ‫נַ>עַר‬

king

➣

book

➣

morning

➣

boy

➣

‫לְֶך‬.ֶ‫מ‬ ‫פֶר‬.ֵ‫ס‬ ‫ֶקר‬.ֹ‫בּ‬ ‫נַ>עַר‬

king of book of morning of boy of

The plural construct form follows the pattern of ‫( מַלְכֵי‬kings of).

‫מְלָכִים‬ ‫עֲבִָדים‬

BBH 10.5.7

kings

➣

servants

➣

50

‫מַלְכֵי‬ ‫עַבְֵדי‬

kings of servants of

121

Construct Chain

The Spelling of Nouns in the Construct State: Nouns Ending in ‫ֶה‬

Nouns ending in ‫( ֶה‬Seghol He) change this ending to ‫( ֵה‬Tsere He) in the construct and then the second rule of vowel reduction apply.

‫שֶָׂדה‬ ‫מַחֲנֶה‬

BBH 10.5.8

field

➣

camp

➣

51

‫שְׂדֵה‬ ‫מַחֲנֵה‬

field of camp of

122

Numbers Introduction

Biblical Hebrew does not have a separate set of numerical symbols (1, 2, 3, etc.) as we do in English. Rather, Hebrew numbers are written out.

Cardinal numbers are used for counting (one, two, three, etc.). Ordinal numbers are used to indicate position in a series (first, second, third, etc.).

BBH 11.1

123

‫‪Numbers‬‬

‫‪Cardinal Numbers 1-10‬‬

‫‪Feminine‬‬ ‫‪Absolute‬‬ ‫‪Construct‬‬

‫אַחַת‬ ‫שְׁתֵּי‬ ‫שְׁל‪ֹ .‬שֶׁת‬ ‫אְַרבַּ‪.‬עַת‬ ‫חֲמֵ‪.‬שֶׁת‬ ‫שֵׁ‪.‬שֶׁת‬ ‫שִׁבְעַת‬ ‫שְׁמֹנַת‬ ‫תִּשְׁעַת‬ ‫עֲשֶׂ‪ֶ.‬רת‬

‫‪124‬‬

‫אַחַת‬ ‫שְׁ ַתּ‪.‬יִם‬ ‫שְׁלֹשָׁה‬ ‫אְַרבָּעָה‬ ‫חֲמִשָּׁה‬ ‫שִׁשָּׁה‬ ‫שִׁבְעָה‬ ‫שְׁמֹנָה‬ ‫תִּשְׁעָה‬ ‫עֲשָָׂרה‬

‫‪Masculine‬‬ ‫‪Absolute‬‬ ‫‪Construct‬‬

‫אַחַד‬ ‫שְׁנֵי‬ ‫שְׁל ֹשׁ‬ ‫אְַרבַּע‬ ‫חֲמֵשׁ‬ ‫שֵׁשׁ‬ ‫שְׁבַע‬ ‫שְׁמֹנֵה‬ ‫תְּשַׁע‬ ‫עֶ‪.‬שֶׂר‬

‫אֶחָד‬ ‫שְׁנַ>יִם‬ ‫שָׁל ֹשׁ‬ ‫אְַרבַּע‬ ‫חָמֵשׁ‬ ‫שֵׁשׁ‬ ‫שֶׁ‪.‬בַע‬ ‫שְׁמֹנֶה‬ ‫תֵּ‪.‬שַׁע‬ ‫עֶ‪.‬שֶׂר‬

‫‪One‬‬ ‫‪Two‬‬ ‫‪Three‬‬ ‫‪Four‬‬ ‫‪Five‬‬ ‫‪Six‬‬ ‫‪Seven‬‬ ‫‪Eight‬‬ ‫‪Nine‬‬ ‫‪Ten‬‬

‫‪BBH 11.2‬‬

‫‪Numbers‬‬

‫‪Cardinal Numbers 11-19‬‬ ‫‪With Feminine‬‬ ‫‪Nouns‬‬

‫‪With Masculine‬‬ ‫‪Nouns‬‬

‫אַחַת עֶשְֵׂרה‬ ‫עַשְׁתֵּי עֶשְֵׂרה‬ ‫שְׁתֵּי עֶשְֵׂרה‬ ‫שְׁתֵּים עֶשְֵׂרה‬ ‫שְׁל ֹשׁ עֶשְֵׂרה‬ ‫אְַרבַּע עֶשְֵׂרה‬ ‫חֲמֵשׁ עֶשְֵׂרה‬ ‫שֵׁשׁ עֶשְֵׂרה‬ ‫שְׁבַע עֶשְֵׂרה‬ ‫שְׁמֹנֶה עֶשְֵׂרה‬ ‫תְּשַׁע עֶשְֵׂרה‬

‫אַחַד עָשָׂר‬ ‫עַשְׁתֵּי עָשָׂר‬ ‫שְׁנֵי עָשָׂר‬ ‫שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר‬ ‫שְׁל ֹשָׁה עָשָׂר‬ ‫אְַרבָּעָה עָשָׂר‬ ‫חֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר‬ ‫שִׁשָּׁה עָשָׂר‬ ‫שִׁבְעָה עָשָׂר‬ ‫שְׁמֹנָה עָשָׂר‬ ‫תִּשְׁעָה עָשָׂר‬

‫)‪thirteen years (1 Kgs 7:1‬‬ ‫)‪fourteen days (Ex 12:6‬‬ ‫)‪fifteen shekels (Lev 27:7‬‬ ‫‪125‬‬

‫‪Eleven‬‬

‫‪Twelve‬‬

‫‪Thirteen‬‬ ‫‪Fourteen‬‬ ‫‪Fifteen‬‬ ‫‪Sixteen‬‬ ‫‪Seventeen‬‬ ‫‪Eighteen‬‬ ‫‪Nineteen‬‬

‫שְׁל ֹשׁ עֶשְֵׂרה שָׁנָה‬ ‫אְַרבָּעָה עָשָׂר יוֹם‬ ‫חֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר שֶָׁקל‬ ‫‪BBH 11.3‬‬

Numbers

Cardinal Numbers 20-99

Twenty Thirty Forty Fifty Sixty Seventy Eighty Ninety

‫עֶשְִׂרים וְאַחַת‬ ‫שִׁבְעִים וְשִׁבְעָה‬ ‫תִּשְׁעִים וָתֵשַׁע‬ ‫שְׁנַיִם וּשְׁל ֹשִׁים‬

BBH 11.4

‫עֶשְִׂרים‬ ‫שְׁל ֹשִׁים‬ ‫אְַרבָּעִים‬ ‫חֲמִשִּׁים‬ ‫שִׁשִּׁים‬ ‫שִׁבְעִים‬ ‫שְׁמֹנִים‬ ‫תִּשְׁעִים‬

twenty-one (2 Kgs 24:18) seventy-seven (Gen 4:24) ninety-nine (Gen 17:24) thirty-two (Num 31:40)

126

Numbers

Cardinal Numbers 100+

One Hundred Two Hundred Three Hundred One Thousand Two Thousand Three Thousand Ten Thousand Twenty Thousand Thirty Thousand

BBH 11.5

‫מֵאָה‬ ‫יִם‬.ַ‫מָאת‬ ‫שְׁל ֹשׁ מֵאוֹת‬ ‫לֶף‬.‫ֶא‬ ‫יִם‬.ַ‫אַלְפּ‬ ‫שְׁל ֹשֶׁת אֲלָפִים‬ ‫ְרבָבָה‬ ‫יִם‬.‫ִרבּוֹ ַת‬ ‫שְׁל ֹשׁ ִרבּוֹת‬

127

Numbers

Ordinal Numbers

First Second Third Fourth Fifth Sixth Seventh Eighth Ninth Tenth

‫בַּיּוֹם הִָראשׁוֹן‬ ‫בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי‬ ‫בִּשְׁנַת הָאְַרבָּעִים‬

BBH 11.6

Masculine

Feminine

‫ִראשׁוֹן‬ ‫שֵׁנִי‬ ‫שְׁלִישִׁי‬ ‫ְרבִיעִי‬ ‫חֲמִישִׁי‬ ‫שִׁשִּׁי‬ ‫שְׁבִיעִי‬ ‫שְׁמִינִי‬ ‫תְּשִׁיעִי‬ ‫עֲשִׂיִרי‬

‫ִראשׁוֹנָה‬ ‫שֵׁנִית‬ ‫שְׁלִישִׁית‬ ‫ְרבִיעִית‬ ‫חֲמִישִׁית‬ ‫שִׁשִּׁית‬ ‫שְׁבִיעִית‬ ‫שְׁמִינִית‬ ‫תְּשִׁיעִית‬ ‫עֲשִׂיִרית‬

on the first day (Lev 23:7) on the seventh day (Gen 2:2) in the fortieth year (1 Chr 26:31)

128

Introduction to Verbs Verbal Root and Derived Forms

Root

‫מלך‬ Nouns

ְ‫לֶך‬.ֶ‫ מ‬king ‫ מַלְכָּה‬queen ‫ מַלְכוּת‬kingdom

BBH 12.2

Verb

ְ‫ מָלַך‬to reign

129

Introduction to Verbs Person, Gender, and Number

In Hebrew, most verb forms have person, gender, and number as in ‫( כּ