Hebrew Grammar Notes

7/30/2019 Hebrew Grammar Notes

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Sh+va Reduced vowels almost always found with gutturals consonants A vocal reduced vowel; constitutes a separate syllable A silent has no sound it is not a vowel, but marks the close of a syllable Vocal:

1. At the beginning of a syllable (at beginning or middle of a word) 2. After an unaccented LONG vowel 3. Under a letter doubled by a Daghes Forte

Silent:1. Closes a syllable (in middle of a word)2. After a short vowel or after an accented LONG vowel // 3. On the last letter of a word 4. With a short, unaccented, closed syllable // 5. With a long, accented, closed syllable //

If two Sh+vas occur next to each other 1st silent, 2nd vocal Composite sh+va (sh+va + short vowel)

1. A syllable cannot begin with two vocal sh+vas. If a letter with a vocal sh+va is placed before anotheletter with a vocal sh+va, then first vocal sh+va becomes a Hireq and second remains vocal. ->

2. When a simple sh+va is place before a composite sh+va, it becomes the corresponding shortvowel. ->

3. A composite Sh+va can be silent. This happens when, at the beginning of a word, a short vowel isfollowed by the composite sh+va that corresponds to that short vowel. Example: Jacob istwo syllables / and the Hateph Pathach is silent.

Syllable DivisionA. Syllables always begin with a consonantnever a vowel.B. A syllable close or open:

a.

OPEN -> CV syllable ends with a vowel / Open syllableusually has a long vowel but,if accented may have a short vowel.b. CLOSED -> CVC syllable has vowel in middle. Closed syllable usually has a short vowel,

but if accented, may have a long vowel.

C. Except at the end of a word, a closed syllable has a silent sh+va with its 2nd consonant.a. / Closed syllable ends in silent sh+vab. / Closed syllable at end of word

D.A pointed Vowel Letter is simply a vowel; it does not count as a consonant or closes a syllable


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a. is a closed syllable with one vowel and two consonantsb. In ( / )/ /is an open syllable; the is a mater lectionis

Daghesh Lene 1. Only found in b+gatk+phatletters: 2. Ab+gatk+phatletter has a Daghesh Lene if

a. It begins a syllable and does not follow a vowel as in i. If it follows a vowel within a word, it does not have a Daghesh Lene, as the of

ii. If it follows a silent sh+va, it will have a Daghesh Lene as in the of

3. If the previous word ends in vowel the Daghesh Lene may be dropped

Daghesh Forte1. Daghesh Forte can occur in almost any letter; it is not confined to the b+gatk+phatletters2. The function of the Daghesh Forte is to double a letter.3. Whenever a b+gatk+phatletter has a Daghesh Forte, the letter is doubled as two Daghesh Lenes.4. There is always a syllable division between the two letters of a Daghesh Forte.

How to tell Daghesh Lene from a Daghesh Forte:

A.A Daghesh in non-b+gatk+phatletters is always a Daghesh Forte (e.g., woman)B. A Daghesh in b+gatk+phatletters:

I. At beginning of word Lene ( blessings)II. At end of word Forte ( (, you

III. In middle of word:i. After a vowel Forte (e.g., hero)

ii. After a sh+va - Lene (e.g., (queenRules for Gutturals and Resh

1. They cannot be doubled - that is, they do not take a Daghesh Forte.2. They cannot take a vocal sh+va - where a vocal sh+va would occur there will be a composite sh+va.

They can take a silent sh+va, but the composite sh+va will sometimes occur here.

3. They tend to prefer a-class vowels4. Where a syllable has a Hireq () with non-guttural letters, an analogous syllable that has a guttural

may have a Seghol ( ).


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Furtive PathachIf the vowel Pathach () is under a guttural that is the last letter of a word, the pathach is pronouncedbefore the guttural (Furtive Pathach). Example: -> rW^jMappiq When the letter stands vowel less at the end of a syllable it is usually silent. There are some cases at theend of a letter it is not silent and not a vowel letter, but a full consonant and pronounced. Example: (sWs`h)Qamets Hatuph represents both a Qamets (long) ` or a Qamets-Hatuph (short) "

1. In a closed, unaccented syllable it is a Qamets-Hatuph Whenever you see combination (without an accent), assume that you have a (short ")

Qamets-Hatuph with a silent sh+va.2. In an open syllable, or a syllable which, though closed, is accented, then it is long and therefore a

(long *` ) Qamets.

The Definite Article with GutturalsThe guttural letters , , , , and also (which sometimes acts like a guttural, as here) cannot bedoubled, i.e. they cannot take a dagesh. Since the dageshis part of the regular form of the definite article,

the absence of the dageshsometimes affects the vowel of the definite article as well.

Regular Form , Before, , ,, Compensatory LengtheningBefore, , ,,, Virtual DoublingBefore, , pointedwith an unaccented qamats ,, Irregular Seghol vowelSmall group of words, vowel

changes to qamets with definite

article


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Prepositions1. Three Types:

a. Independent Prepositions: These stand alone

b. Maqqef Prepositions: these are joined to their objects by a Maqqef

c. Inseparable Prepositions: these are prefixed directly to their objects

Spelling:

With the definite article


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The Conjunction:The conjunction ((and, but, also, evenA. Before most consonants, the conjunction will appear as B. Two circumstances the conjunction will appear as a (Shuruq)

i. With most consonants having a vocal sh+va (Hebrew cannot begin a word with two sh+vas)the form of the conjunction changes, e.g. .

1. EXCEPTION: if word begins with the syllable then these 2 syllables contract to

ii. Abilabial consonant ( // ) - Initial b+gadk+phatconsonants will losethe Daghesh qal when conjunction is prefixed.

C. Before a reduced or hateph vowel, the conjunction is spelled with the corresponding short vowel of thehateph vowel. +

i. EXCEPTION: When God occurs with the conjunction D. The conjunction may also be spelled with a qamets ( )before monosyllabic words and certain words

with an initial accent + +

Reduction


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Adjectives

1.Attributive Use: agrees with noun in gender, number and definiteness. It follows the noun.

2. Predicative Use: agrees with noun in gender and number, but not in definiteness. It never takes thedefinite article. Either precedes or follows the noun.

3. Substantive Use:


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4. Directional Ending: A special ending may be added to a word in order to express the idea ofmotiontoward someone or something. This special ending is the directional ending it is always unaccented

5. Comparative Usage:


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Construct ChainsConstruct Chain vowel reduction (spelling)

Construct Chain masculine plural and dualMasculine Plural Nouns ( ) and dual ( )are replaced by ( ) then rules of reduction areapplied.

In the last example, both propretonic reduction and Rule of Shewa apply.


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Construct Chain feminine singularFeminine singular nouns ending in ( ) change this ending to ( ) in the construct state and thenthe rules of vowel reduction apply.

Construct Chain feminine pluralFeminine plural nouns ending in ( ) retain this plural ending and then the rules of vowel reduction willapply.

In the last example, both propretonic reduction and Rule of Shewa apply.

Construct Chain miscellaneous nouns (a)Certain singular monosyllabic nouns add Hireq Yod to their stem in the construct state. Do not to confusethis Hireq Yod with the 1cs pronominal suffix (my father . (

Construct Chain miscellaneous nouns (b)The singular absolute ofSegholate nouns is identical to its singular construct form. The plural constructform follows the pattern of (kings of).


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Nouns ending in ) ))with Seghol) have a singularconstruct form ending in ( ( (with Tsere).

Definite Construct ChainsWhen Hebrew wants to make a construct chain definite, the definite article is added to the word in theabsolute form, as in the house of the king. Because the construct chain is considered to be single unit in Hebrew, making the absolute form definite makes the entire construct chain definite by

extension. This is true even for construct chains composed of more than two nouns, e.g. = the sword of the captain of the army. Since a noun in construct cannot take the definite article

the definite article can only appear on the final noun of a construct chain (which is the only noun that is in

the absolute form), no matter how long the construct chain is.

Construct Chains with Proper NounsProper nouns are automatically definite because they indicate a specific person (or place), so they do not take

the definite article. (The same is true for nouns with a pronominal suffix, e.g. (.my king This createssome ambiguity in construct chains in which the word in absolute form is a proper noun. Typically we

understand such a construct chain to be definite, e.g. the house of David; but since there is noway to make the proper noun indefinite, the word in construct might also be understood to be indefinite,

depending on the context.

For example, in Genesis 22:11 (the story of Abrahams sacrifice ofIsaac), ' is often translated theangel of the LORD because LORD is a proper noun and therefore is automatically definite. In this context,

however, ' might be better translated, an angel of the LORD, since this angel appears suddenly inthe story and doesnt seem to be any specific angel.

But in the context of 1 Samuel 20:27, the construct chain .clearly refers to a specific son (i.eDavid, who is mentioned earlier in the verse); so is translated, the son of Jesse.A [noun] of [proper noun]Other than the context, Hebrew has no way to specifically mark that the first part of a construct chain that

ends in a proper noun is indefinite. In order to do this, Hebrew must use a completely different

construction: ______ a [noun] of / belonging to [proper noun]. For example, = a son ofJesse. This is nota construct chain it is [absolute noun] + [preposition ] + [absolute noun]. We see thiphrase in 1 Samuel 16:18. The speaker there doesnt know David specifically, and he knows Jesse has many

sons, so he simply refers to David as a son of Jesse.


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Note on the Prepositions / /As we saw in class, when the preposition is prefixed to a word that begins with a shewa, the shewa under the changes to a hireq(short [i] vowel), as in . This is because Hebrew cannot begin a word with twoconsecutive shewas. The same is also true for the prepositions and .Nominal Sentences

One of the characteristic phenomena of the Hebrew language is the common use of nominal sentences,

which dont require a verb (unlike English sentences). The most basic type of nominal sentence is createdby juxtaposing two nouns or a noun and an adjective, so that one noun is the subject of the sentence andthe other is the predicate (the part of the sentence that says something new about the subject). Not everynoun-noun or noun-adjective pair creates a sentence. For example, neither a large house nor the large house are sentences. A construct chain also combines two nouns without creatinga sentence, such as in a mans house or the mans house. (Even if the contextdidnt make it clear, the construct form oftells us that we have a construct chain here and not twoindependent nouns.)

The basic rule of nominal sentences is that when two absolute nouns (or a noun and an adjective) that

have the same level of definiteness are juxtaposed, they do not create a sentence; but when they differ intheir level of definiteness, a nominal sentence is created. For example, both elements in a largehouse are indefinite, and both elements in the large house are definite, so neither phraseis a sentence. But in or , the definite noun is more definitethan theindefinite adjective , creating a nominal sentence: The house is large. Note the subject and predicatemay appear in any order, so we must understand the subject by the context (also, the subject is typically

the more definite of the pair). Most nominal sentences express a state of being, so we translate with the

English verb to be (the tense depends on the context).

When a noun is paired with an adjective in a nominal sentence, as in ,the woman is wisethe adjective agrees with the noun in number and gender. When two nouns are juxtaposed, as in the law is a lamp, each retains its own gender and number.A construct chain can stand as one of the elements in a nominal sentence. For example, in the sentence, ,the mans house is large the mans house is considered to be a singledefinite unit, since a construct chain functions as a single idea in Hebrew.


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Levels of Definiteness

There are three different levels of definiteness that we see in the Hebrew language. Whenever two element

from different levels are combined, a nominal sentence is created. Remember, the important thing for

creating a nominal sentence is to have a difference in the level of definiteness.1. Indefinite noun or adjective, e.g. a house or large.2. Definite:

a. Definite Article, e.g. the house.b. Pronominal Suffix, e.g. his house. A pronominal suffix makes a noun definite by

ascribing it to a specific person. Therefore, his large house is a simple phrasemade up of two definite nouns, whereas his house is large is a nominal sentencebecause is definite and is not.

c. Proper Noun, e.g. David. Any person/place name is automatically definite because itrefers to someone or something specific. Therefore, King David is a simple phrasemade up of two definite nouns, whereas David is (a) king is a nominal sentencebecause is definite and is not.

3. Most Definite:a. Personal Pronouns, e.g. I. The independent personal pronouns are also automatically

definite. In fact, they are even moredefinite than simple definite nouns like because theyare more specific in their designation. For example, in the sentence ,I am the kingmany different kings may be described by the king, but only one person, i.e. the speaker

himself, can be described by the pronoun I. Of course I am a king would also be anominal sentence.

b. Demonstrative Pronouns, e.g. this.Just like the independent personal pronouns, thedemonstrative pronouns are more definite than regular definite nouns because they are more

specific in their designation. For example, = This is the king.Note: If it doesnt seem to make sense that pronouns are more definite than anything else,ignore the above explanations and just remember that a pronoun combined with any noun or

adjective will usually make a nominal sentence

Adverbial Predicate Example: = The man is in the house.A nominal sentence can be created by placing an adverb (often a preposition) at the beginning of the

predicate. Adverbs of place (as shown in the example above) are the most common, though there are other

types. These are some prepositions/adverbs in your vocabulary list that can serve as adverbial predicates: , ,((with - , , , - , - , , , , , , , , .


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Existential Predicate Example: = There is a man in the house.Another major type of nominal sentence is that which has an existential predicate. The Hebrew word there is / there are is an adverb of existence, not a verb as in English. When used in a nominal sentence, serves as the predicate. Unlike the English phrases there is / there are, the single Hebrew word isused with both singular and plural subjects.

Example: = There is not a man in the house.The Hebrew word there is/are not is an adverb of non-existence, not a verb. When used in a nominasentence, serves as the predicate. Like , the word can be used with either a singular or a pluralsubject. For example, = There are not men in the house.Interrogative Pronoun Example: = Who is the man in the house?A third additional type of nominal sentence is that which begins with an interrogative pronoun, such as who, ,where what, etc. (Technically, this is just an extension of the rule we learned in Unit17 that a pronoun combined with almost any noun or adjective creates a sentence.)

One Final Note on Nominal Sentences: Be aware that are cases (especially in poetry, though this alsohappens in narrative prose) in which the nominal sentence is unmarked, i.e. the subject and predicate

show no difference in the level of definiteness. In these cases, the reader must decide by the context and by

common sense which element is the subject and which is the predicate.

Construct Chain with attributive adjectivesWhen an adjective modifies either the construct or absolute noun, it must follow the entire chain. It mustagree with the noun it modifies in gender, number and definiteness.

Or the good word of the king


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Construct Chain with demonstrative adjectivesJust like attributive adjectives, demonstrative adjectives must also follow the construct chain.


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Pronouns

1. Independent Personal Pronouns (IPP):

The IPP is labeled independent because it stands alone and is not prefixed or suffixed to another word. IPP are subjective, meaning they are used as the subject of a verb, never as the object of a verb. IPP may also appear as the subject of a verb less clause. For this reason they are sometimes called subject

pronouns.

The following examples illustrate how IPP are used with other nouns or adjectives in a predicative relationship

The pronoun may precede or follow the noun or adjective. A form of the verb to be is required for

translation.


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2. Demonstrative Pronouns:

They may be used either as adjectives (thisman, thosewomen) or as a pronoun (thisis the man,thoseare the women).

The masculine and feminine singular forms and are identical to the third personmasculine and feminine independent personal pronouns.

The demonstrative (these) is both masculine and feminine plural. Remember that thedesignation for the phenomenon is common meaning not inflected for gender.


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3. Relative pronoun

4. Interrogative pronouns


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5. The interrogative particle


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Pronominal Suffixes


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MASCULINE NOUNS WITH PRONOMINAL SUFFIXES

All pronominal suffixes have person, gender, and number. Type 1 suffixes occur with singular nouns (such as and ) Type 2 suffixes occur with plural nouns (such as and ) When pronominal suffixes are added to masculine plural nouns, the masculine plural ending () i

dropped.

If a feminine noun takes a masculine plural ending it will follow the masculine plural pattern. Thisalso applies when a pronominal suffix is added.

- - FEMININE NOUNS WITH PRONOMINAL SUFFIXES

When a feminine singular noun ends in (as in ) receives a pronominal suffix, the isreplaced by ) )

Unlike masculine plural nouns, feminine plural nouns retain their plural ending ( )

SINGLE SYLLABLE NOUNS WITH PRONOMINAL SUFFIXES

The singular noun that ends with a has a hiriq yod ( ). The plural noun that ends with a never has a hiriq yod ( ).

PREPOSITIONS WITH PRONOMINAL SUFFIXES

In Hebrew, prepositions also take pronominal suffixes. These suffixes are objective rather than possessive.

Prepositions that take Type 1 suffixes: (to, for) (in, on) (with) (with)

Prepositions that take Type 2 suffixes: (on, upon) (to, for) (under) (after)


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PREPOSITIONS AND WITH PRONOMINAL SUFFIXES With the preposition , the forms with singular and first person common plural suffixes are spelled

with a longer, alternate ending ( ). With the preposition , the forms with singular and first person common plural suffixes are

spelled with a longer, alternate ending ( ).DEFINITE DIRECT OBJECT MARKER AND THE PREPOSITIONS WITH PRONOMINAL/SUFFIXES

The definite direct object marker takes Type 1 pronominal suffixes. It is translated as a/personal pronoun in the accusative and objective case.


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Hebrew Grammar Notes