Introductory Biblical Hebrew

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Summary of the books of the Hebrew Bible Summary of the books of the Hebrew Bible Summary of the books of the Hebrew Bible Summary of the books of the Hebrew Bible

The Hebrew Bible consists of twenty-four books organized into three major sections called
the Pentateuch, Prophets, and Writings. Each section and book is summarized briefly below.

See also About the Hebrew Bible in the Further Resources section of this website
for some recommended introductions to the Hebrew Bible.

A. The Pentateuch The Pentateuch The Pentateuch The Pentateuch
The Pentateuch contains the first five biblical books, Genesis Genesis Genesis Genesis, Exodus Exodus Exodus Exodus, Leviticus Leviticus Leviticus Leviticus, Numbers Numbers Numbers Numbers,
and Deuteronomy Deuteronomy Deuteronomy Deuteronomy.

i. Genesis Genesis Genesis Genesis
Genesis begins by describing the creation of the world and the first humans, Adam and Eve,
their early existence in the Garden of Eden and subsequent expulsion, followed by a history
of their descendants. This section includes many famous stories such as the murderous tale
of the worlds first two brothers, Cain and Abel; the massive flood survived only by the
righteous Noah, his family, and carefully selected animals; and the Tower of Babel, a
description of early humans attempt to conquer the heavens. Many of these stories exhibit
fascinating links to other ancient Near Eastern literatures; for example, the flood story has a
striking parallel in the Babylonian Epic of Gilgamesh. After chronicling the early
generations of human history, Genesis turns to the more specific national story of the
Patriarchs and Matriarchs, the founding members of what would later become the Israelite
people. It begins with Abraham, the first Patriarch, who obeys Gods instruction to leave his
home in Mesopotamia and settle in the land of Canaan. In exchange, God promises
Abraham that he will become the father of a great nation which will inherit the land. This
covenant is passed on to Abrahams younger son Isaac and then to Isaacs younger son
Jacob. Jacob becomes the head of a large family consisting of twelve sons. Towards the end
of the book the family settles in Egypt, where they become a sizeable nation organized into
twelve tribes descended from Jacobs sons.

ii. Exodus Exodus Exodus Exodus
Exodus tells the story of how the Israelite nation becomes enslaved in Egypt, and how God
appears to the unlikely leader Moses and commands him to stand up to the tyranny of the
Pharaoh in order to liberate his people from their terrible suffering and bring them out of
Egypt to their ancestral homeland of Canaan, where they will once again be a free nation.
The Israelites flee into the desert, where they experience divine revelation at Mount Sinai
and are given a set of tablets containing the Ten Commandments, the basic moral tenets to
which they must adhere, as well as detailed instructions for the construction of a Tabernacle
to house the tablets.

iii. Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
Leviticus consists of a detailed legal code given to the Israelites in the desert by God as the
foundation of their new free society. Numbers and Deuteronomy contain a mix of more
laws and of stories about the Israelites time spent wandering in the desert for 40 years
under the leadership of Moses, his brother Aaron, and his sister Miriam, until God deems
them sufficiently prepared to enter the promised land. Deuteronomy ends with Moses final
address to his people before his death just outside the land of Canaan.

B. Prophets Prophets Prophets Prophets
Prophets is divided into two sections, Former and Latter. The Former Prophets consist of
the books of Joshua, Judges Joshua, Judges Joshua, Judges Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel 1 and 2 Samuel 1 and 2 Samuel 1 and 2 Samuel, and 1 and 2 Kings 1 and 2 Kings 1 and 2 Kings 1 and 2 Kings, which contain historical
prose narrative following on from the Pentateuch. The Latter Prophets consist of the books
Isaiah Isaiah Isaiah Isaiah, Jeremiah Jeremiah Jeremiah Jeremiah, Ezekiel Ezekiel Ezekiel Ezekiel, and the so-called Twelve Minor Prophets, which are primarily
poetic and consist largely of critiques of the Israelites failure to live up to their divinely
commanded ethical standards combined with prophecies of the inevitable negative
consequences of these shortcomings.

i. Joshua Joshua Joshua Joshua
The Book of Joshua continues where Deuteronomy left off. Joshua, to whom Moses passed
the mantle of leadership before dying, leads the Israelites in their conquest of Canaan,
which is inhabited by a number of hostile nations. The book contains several well-known
stories such as that of Rahab, a Canaanite woman who comes to the aid of Joshuas men and
the Battle of Jericho, in which the city walls crumble before the Israelte troops.

ii. Judges Judges Judges Judges
This book describes Israelite life in the land of Canaan in the generations following the
conquest, when the people were governed by a series of leaders called Judges. The period of
the Judges was characterized by extreme lawlessness as well as by frequent violent clashes
with enemy nations such as the Philistines and Moabites. It includes the stories of famous
Judges such as the prophetess Deborah, who led her people to victory against a powerful
Canaanite general, and Samson, famed for his superhuman strength as well as for his
downfall at the hands of the Philistine woman Delilah.

iii. 1 and 2 Samuel 1 and 2 Samuel 1 and 2 Samuel 1 and 2 Samuel
The first Book of Samuel marks the beginning of the monarchic period in Israelite history.
The prophet Samuel, the last of the Judges, rules the people until they cry out for a king
and God allows him to grant their request by anointing a young man called Saul to rule
over them. When Saul falls out of divine favour, he is replaced by David, a shepherds son
who becomes a great leader and establishes Jerusalem as the capital of a united Israelite
kingdom.

iv. 1 and 2 Kings 1 and 2 Kings 1 and 2 Kings 1 and 2 Kings
1 Kings begins with Davids death whereupon he is succeeded by his son Solomon, who is
renowned for his great wisdom and builds a magnificent Temple to God in Jerusalem.
However, following Solomons death the monarchy is weakened by numerous power
struggles and corrupt kings, culminating in the kingdoms division into two, Israel in the
north and Judah in the south. During this period the prophet Elijah struggles to raise the
fallen moral standard of the kings and people alike and eradicate the widespread worship of
the pagan god Baal from the land. However, the corruption and disasters continue; the
northern kingdom of Israel is absorbed into the Assyrian Empire in 722 BCE, and the
southern kingdom of Judah is conquered by the Babylonian Empire in 586 BCE,
culminating in the destruction of Solomons Temple and exile of many of Jerusalems
inhabitants to Babylon.

v. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel
These three books, collectively labelled the Major Prophets, are poetic works addressing
issues of Israelite morality and giving prophetic insights into their future. Isaiah, set in the
centuries preceding the Babylonian conquest of Judah, criticizes the peoples lack of ethical
standards and warns of impending doom. Jeremiah prophesied in Jerusalem around the
time of the Babylonian conquest and destruction of the Temple. Ezekiel lived in the same
period but was an exile in Babylon, where he experienced a series of visions prophesying the
return of the banished people to their homeland and rebuilding of the Temple.

vi. Minor Prophets
The twelve Minor Prophets are comprised of Hosea Hosea Hosea Hosea, Joel Joel Joel Joel, Amos Amos Amos Amos, Obadiah Obadiah Obadiah Obadiah, Jonah Jonah Jonah Jonah, Micah Micah Micah Micah,
Nahum Nahum Nahum Nahum, Habakkuk Habakkuk Habakkuk Habakkuk, Zephaniah Zephaniah Zephaniah Zephaniah, Haggai Haggai Haggai Haggai, Zechariah Zechariah Zechariah Zechariah, and Malachi Malachi Malachi Malachi. These books are relatively
short and are composed largely of poetic outcries against the Israelites perpetual disregard
for social justice and failure to live up to the moral standards that God demands of them.
The most well-known of the Minor Prophets is Jonah, who is swallowed by a giant fish after
attempting to disregard a direct command from God.

C. Writings Writings Writings Writings
The Writings consists of a diverse selection of texts.

i. Psalms Psalms Psalms Psalms
This is a collection of 150 poems, of which many are traditionally attributed to King David.
The Psalms powerfully express a range of different spiritual emotions, with some expressing
joy and gratitude to God, while others cry out for salvation in times of distress.

ii. Proverbs Proverbs Proverbs Proverbs
Traditionally attributed to King Solomon, Proverbs is a compendium of philosophical and
moral sayings touching on numerous aspects of life.

iii. Job Job Job Job
The Book of Job is a powerful study, part prose but largely poetry, addressing the timeless
question of why innocent people suffer.

iv. Song of Songs Song of Songs Song of Songs Song of Songs
The Song of Songs, also traditionally attributed to King Solomon, is a love poem rich with
metaphor and evocative imagery.

v. Ruth Ruth Ruth Ruth
Set in the time of the Judges, this book tells the story of a Moabite woman who chooses to
become an Israelite.

vi. Lamentations Lamentations Lamentations Lamentations
Traditionally attributed to Jeremiah, this is a harrowing poetic description of the Babylonian
destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE.

vii. Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes is a poetic commentary on the cyclical and often seemingly futile nature of the
world, including famous observations such as all is vanity and to every thing there is a
season.

viii. Esther Esther Esther Esther
Esther tells the story of a Jewish orphan who becomes queen of the vast Persian Empire and
saves her people from a genocidal plot devised by the kings anti-Semitic minister.

ix. Daniel Daniel Daniel Daniel
This book recounts the experiences of Daniel, an exiled Judean in the court of the
Babylonian king. Much of the book is written in Aramaic.

x. Ezra and Nehemiah Ezra and Nehemiah Ezra and Nehemiah Ezra and Nehemiah
These books describe the return of some of the Babylonian exiles to Jerusalem and their
attempts to rebuild the destroyed Temple after King Cyrus of Persia issues a decree in 537
BCE allowing them to do so. Portions of Ezra are written in Aramaic.

xi. 1 and 2 Chronicles 1 and 2 Chronicles 1 and 2 Chronicles 1 and 2 Chronicles
The final two books of the Hebrew Bible constitute a retelling of the monarchic history
presented in Samuel and Kings.

Extra exercises Extra exercises Extra exercises Extra exercises and biblical texts and biblical texts and biblical texts and biblical texts

Note: remember to consult the Hebrew-English and English-Hebrew glossaries at the end
of the textbook as necessary when doing these exercises.

Unit Unit Unit Unit 3 33 3

1. Prefix the correct form of the definite article to the words in bold and translate the
completed sentences into English. Remember to add a strong dagesh to the first letter of
the noun when required.

1 . __
2 . __ __
3 . __ __
4 . __
5 . __
6 . __ __
7 . __
8 . __ __
9 . __
10 . __ __

2. Study the biblical text at the end of Unit 3 (Genesis 1:1-13) and then fill in each
blank in the following paragraph with the appropriate word from it. (Try not to refer
back to the text unless you get stuck!)

__________
__________
__________ __________
__________ __________
__________
__________

Unit 5 Unit 5 Unit 5 Unit 5

blank in the following paragraph with the appropriate word from it.

__________
__________
__________ __________
__________


1. Point the following sentences and translate into English.

1 .
2 .
3 .
4 .
5 .
6 .
7 .
8 .
9 .

2. Answer each of the following questions in Biblical Hebrew using the prompts
provided in brackets. Remember to include the definite direct object marker
\ when required. If the verb in the question is first person, in order for
the answer to make sense youll have to change it to second person, and vice versa.
Use this example as your model:

I took the vessels.

) (
What did you (ms) take?

1 . ) (
2 . ) (
3 . ) (
4 . ) (
5 . ) (
6 . ) (
7 . ) (
8 . ) (



__________
__________ __________
__________
_______ ___ __________


1. Study the biblical text at the end of Unit 8 (Genesis 6:6-7:19) and then fill in each

__________ _ _________
__________
__________
__________ __________
__________
__________ __________
__________


1. Use the following nouns and adjectives to make comparative statements in Biblical
Hebrew and then translate each completed statement into English, following the
model of the example. The adjectives are given in the lexical form, so remember to
change them if necessary so that they match their associated noun.

The horse is hungrier than the camels.

, ,

1 . , ,
2 . , ,
3 . , ,
4 . , ,
5 . , ,
6 . , ,
7 . , ,
8 . , ,

2. Answer the following comprehension questions on the story at the beginning of Unit
8 in Biblical Hebrew.
1 .
2 .
3 .
4 .

5 .

1. Parse the following words from the biblical text at the end of Unit 11 (Genesis 17:15-
21:3)

a. (18:11)
b. (21:1)
c. (21:1)


1. This is an extension of Unit 12, exercise 1, providing some extra practice forming the
construct state of nouns.
1 . ,
2 . ,
3 . ,
4 . ,
5 . ,
6 . ,
7 . ,

2. Say whether the nouns in bold in the following biblical extracts are in the absolute or
construct state, and then translate each extract into English.

1 . ) Genesis 21:17 (
2 . ) Proverbs 11:22 (
3 . ) Genesis 20:18 (
4 . ) Song of Songs 4:15 (
5 . ) Song of Songs 2:7 (
6 . ) Genesis 17:23 (
7 .
1
) Genesis 50:7 (
8 . ) Deuteronomy 6:11 (
9 . ) 2 Samuel 2:1 (
10 .
2 22 2
) Genesis 20:18

1
=
2
because of

1. Say whether the following statements about the story at the beginning of Unit 13 are
true or false.

1 .
2 .
3 .
4 .
5 .
6 .
7 .
8 .


__________ __________
__________
__________ __________
__________ __________



__________
__________ __________
__________
__________
__________ __________
__________ __________
__________
__________


1. Translate the following paragraphs into Biblical Hebrew.

A)
The queen said to her husband, Look, the wine merchant is in the prison house, but maybe
there is wine in his storehouses. Maybe your (ms) slaves can find the wine. And the king
said, My servants are very wise. In truth, [I] know that [they] will find the wine. So the
king sent
3
his slaves to the merchants house, but the slaves did not find wine, for his
storehouses were empty. So [they] said to their king, There isnt [any] wine in the
merchants storehouses.

B)

3
Use 3ms wayyiqtol
Then the king became angry at his slaves and said, [I] despise your (mp) words! And [he]
said to the queen, Perhaps your (fs) slavegirls are wiser than my slaves. So the queen sent
4

her slavegirls to the merchants house, but they also (lit: also they) did not find his wine.
Then the king and the queen said, Indeed our slaves and our slavegirls are fools! And [they]
became very angry at (lit: on) their slaves and at (lit: on) their slavegirls.


1. Answer the following questions about the story at the beginning of Unit 17 in
Biblical Hebrew.

1 .
2 .
3 .
4 .
5 .
6 .
7 .
8 .
9 .

2. Translate the following adaptation of Genesis 29 into Biblical Hebrew.

Laban was the brother of Jacobs mother. And he had (lit: to him [were]) two daughters.
The name of his older (lit: big) daughter [was] Leah, and she had (lit: to her [were]) weak
eyes. The name of his younger (lit: small) daughter [was] Rachel, and she [was] beautiful of

4
Use 3fs wayyiqtol
form. Jacob loved her, so [he] said to Laban, Give me to me your younger daughter for a
wife. Laban said to him, This is a great joy for my house. Indeed [I] will give
her to you
(lit: to you her). But you must serve
me [for] seven years.


1. Translate the following adaptation of Genesis 29-30 into Biblical Hebrew.

A)
Now (lit: and) God knew that Jacob did not love his wife Leah, so [He] paid attention to (=
visited) her and [she] bore
5
four sons. Now Jacob loved Rachel, but she had not borne sons
to her husband, so [she] became angry and said to her husband, Give me (lit: to me) sons!
But Jacob said, Am I God, who has not given you (lit: to you) sons? So Rachel said, Here is
(= behold!) my maidservant. She will bear
6
me (lit: for me) children with you.

B)
So Rachels maidservant bore two sons to Jacob. Then Leah became angry, and [she] said to
Jacob, Here is my maidservant; she will bear me (lit: for me) children with you! And Leahs
maidservant bore two sons to Jacob. Then Leah bore two sons and one daughter to Jacob,
and [she] said, Now my husband will love
7
me, because [I] have borne to him six sons.
Then God remembered Rachel, and [she] bore one son.


1. Translate the following adaptation of Genesis 39 into Biblical Hebrew.

(qal yiqtol 1cs . . . give; see Unit 37)
(qal yiqtol 2ms . . . serve)

5

6

7

Now (lit: and) Jacob did not know that an evil beast had not eaten his son Joseph.
Merchants had taken Joseph to Egypt and sold him to an official, and Joseph became (lit:
was to) the officials slave. So Joseph was a slave in Egypt, but he rejoiced because the work
[was] not bad. Now (lit: and) the Egyptian master had given everything
8
that was his (lit: to
him) in Josephs control (lit: hand). But his masters
9
wife loved him, and he did not love
her, so she said to her husband that Joseph [was] wicked. Then they sent him to the prison
house.


1. Read the biblical text at the end of Unit 20 (Exodus 2:1-10) )) ) and then say whether the
following statements are true or false. If false, cite the correct answer from the text.

1 .
2 .
3 .
4 .
5 .
6 .
10

7 .
8 .
9 .
10 .

8
Use without definite article
9
Use plural form of noun
10
Qal qatal 3fs . . . see (see Unit 35)
2. Parse the following forms from the biblical text at the end of this unit (Exodus 2:1-10)

1. (2:3)
2. (2:5)
3. (2:5)
4. (2:5)
5. (2:6)

Extra biblical text Extra biblical text Extra biblical text Extra biblical text

Jacob and Esau, Jacob and Esau, Jacob and Esau, Jacob and Esau, the hidden years (Genesis 25:27 the hidden years (Genesis 25:27 the hidden years (Genesis 25:27 the hidden years (Genesis 25:27- -- -34) 34) 34) 34)

Congratulations! Youre now halfway through the course, and have mastered a substantial
amount of Hebrew grammar and vocabulary. It seems fitting to celebrate this achievement
with a special instalment of our ongoing biblical narrative. Here is an episode from Jacob
and Esaus youth that we didnt read the first time around. Its set just prior to the story in
which Jacob tricks Isaac into giving him Esaus firstborn blessing, and it provides some
fascinating background information into the psyches of the two brothers...

You can check the answer key for an English translation of this and subsequent extra
biblical texts.

25:27
25:28
25:29 25:30

25:31 25:32
25:33
25:34
11

Vocabulary Vocabulary Vocabulary Vocabulary

qal active participle ms
. . . know

25:27
hunting

innocent; simple

tent
) s (
qal wayyiqtol 3ms . . .
love (see Unit 33)

25:28
he had a taste for game (lit:
hunting [was] in his mouth)

and (he) boiled

25:29
stew

exhausted; famished

cram me full, stuff me with

25:30
please

red

qal qatal 3ms . . . call
(see Unit 34); here: he was
called

11
Unusually, this qatal construction has the sense of a wayyiqtol
Edom (sounds like )
sell (command)

25:31
today

firstborn birthright

. . . go

25:32
to die

what good isto me (lit: what
for is this to me)

swear (command)

25:33
and (he) swore

lentils

25:34
drink (see Unit 35)

get up (see Unit 39)

go (see Unit 38)

despise; scorn (see Unit 35)


1. Translate the following adaptation of Genesis 40-41 into Biblical Hebrew.

A)
And after these things, when Joseph was in the prison house, Pharaoh became angry at (lit:
on) two officials that served him, and his men sent them to the prison house. Now the
officials had dreamed dreams, and Joseph interpreted them. [He] said to one of the officials,
Look, in another three days Pharaoh will cut [off] your head. And [he] said to the second
official, Look, in another three days Pharaohs men will send you [out] from the prison
house. And it was as Joseph had said.

B)
Then Joseph said to the second official, Remember me, and say (use weqatal) to Pharaoh
that [I] helped you (lit: to you [mp]). But the official did not remember him. But after two
years, and look, Pharaoh dreamed (use active participle) a dream, and [he] could not
interpret it. So the official said, There is a man in the prison house who can interpret
dreams. Then Joseph interpreted Pharaohs dream, and [he] said to Joseph, Now [I] shall
remember you, and [I] shall give to you silver and gold, and [you] will serve me.


1. Read the biblical text at the end of Unit 22 (Exodus 14:5-31) and then say whether
the following statements are true or false. If false, cite the correct answer from the
text.

1 .
2 .
3 .
4 .
5 .
6 .
7 .


1. Translate the following adaptation of Exodus 32 into Biblical Hebrew. Use infinitives
absolute to translate the words in bold.

A)
Moses went up
12
to the mountain and there God gave him (lit: to him) the tablets of the
covenant which [was] between Him and the (lit: between Him and between the) children
(lit: sons) of Israel. But indeed indeed indeed indeed Moses did not descend from the mountain [for] many days,
and the people said to Aaron his brother, Look, Moses has not returned
13
to us, and we do
not know where he [is]. So (lit: and) now give give give give us (lit: to us) new gods, so that we may bow
down to them!

B)
So Aaron said to the people, Give Give Give Give me (lit: to me) your (mp) gold, and he made
14
a calf of
gold, and he said, These are your (ms) gods, Israel, and the people bowed down to the calf.
Then Moses returned
15
from the mountain, and indeed indeed indeed indeed he became very angry, and he said,
Indeed Indeed Indeed Indeed I shall break these tablets that the LORD gave to me, and he broke them, and the
people indeed indeed indeed indeed mourned.


1. Translate the following adaptation of Joshua 6 into Biblical Hebrew (no need to
include accents or pausal forms!).

Now the city of Jericho was closed because of the fear of the Israelites (lit: sons of Israel).
Then the LORD said to Joshua, Look, I will give (use qatal) to you Jericho and her king, and
the walls of the city will fall (use weqatal). And the walls of Jericho indeed fell, as the LORD

12

13

14

15

had said, and Joshua and his men captured the city and all of her inhabitants, and they
burned the captured city and everything
16
which [was] in it with fire (lit: in the fire), but the
silver and gold they took for the house of the LORD. And they did not capture Rahab,
because she had hidden
17
the messengers that Joshua had sent. Rather, they took Rahab and
her fathers house and everything that [belonged] to her to the camp of Israel, and there she
has lived (= sat), until this day.


Samson and the lion (J Samson and the lion (J Samson and the lion (J Samson and the lion (Judges 14:5 udges 14:5 udges 14:5 udges 14:5- -- -9) 9) 9) 9)

This is the backstory to Samsons impossible riddle.

14:5
14:6
14:7
14:8
14:9

14:5

young lion

lion

young lion (lit: young lion of lions)

16

17

qal active participle ms . . . roar
towards him ( towards with
3ms possessive suffix)
14:6
qal wayyiqtol 3fs . . . to be strong
(see Unit 33)
) c ( , (p)
spirit

(and) (he) tore it

like tearing
, (p)
kid goat

anything

(he) told
qal qatal 3ms . . . do (see Unit
35)
14:7

(and) (he) spoke
qal wayyiqtol 3fs . . . to be
pleasing (see Unit 38)
14:8

after a time (lit: from days)

to take her
qal wayyiqtol 3ms . . . turn aside
(see Unit 39)
qal infinitive construct prefixed by
. . . see (see Unit 35)
) s (
carcass

group; swarm

bee

body; corpse
14:9

(and) (he) scraped it out
) f; g ( , ) d (
palm
qal wayyiqtol 3ms . . . give (see
Unit 37)
qal wayyiqtol 3mp . . . eat (see
Unit 36); pausal
qal qatal 3ms . . . scrape out (see
Unit 35)


1. Locate and parse the stative verbs in the following biblical extracts.

1 . ) Exodus 9:7 (
2 . ) Genesis 27:2 (
3 . ) 1 Samuel 8:5 (
4 . ) Genesis 47:13 (
5 .
18
) 2 Chronicles 7:2 (
6 . ) Genesis 48:19 (
7 . ) Genesis 29:21 (
8 . ) Hosea 10:3 (

18
Qal infinitive construct . . . come prefixed by (see Unit 39)

1. Read the biblical text at the end of Unit 26 (1 Samuel 1:1-20) and answer the
following questions in Biblical Hebrew.

1 .
2 .
3 .
4 .
5 .
6 .
7 .
8 .
9 .
10 .


1. Insert the correct nifal form of the root provided in brackets into each of the
following biblical extracts, and then translate each completed extract into English.

1 . __________ ) . . . yiqtol 3ms ( ) Psalms 83:5 (
2 . __________ ) . . . qatal 3cp ( ) 2 Kings 19:37 (
3 . __________ ) . . . imperative mp ( ) Genesis 49:2 (
4 . __________ ) . . . yiqtol 3ms ( ) Exodus 14:14 (
5 . __________ ) . . . qatal 3ms ( ) Psalms 105:17 (
6 . __________ ) . . . yiqtol 1cs ( ) Ruth 1:17 (
7 . __________ ) . . . yiqtol 3mp (
19
) Psalms 9:20 (
8 . __________ ) . . . imperative fs ( ) Judges 13:4 (
9 . __________ ) . . . wayyiqtol 3fs ( ) Ruth 1:3 (
10 . __________ ) . . . qatal 1cp ( ) Esther 7:4 (

2. Translate the following adaptation of Judges 16 into Biblical Hebrew. Use the nifal to
translate the verbs in bold.

A)
Now (lit: and) Samson loved a daughter of the Philistines (lit: a daughter of Philistines) who
was called was called was called was called Delilah. Now (lit: and) the officers of the Philistines knew that he loved her, so
they said to her, Find how (lit: in what
20
) his power is [so] great, so that he may may may may be be be be
captured captured captured captured, and we will give (use weqatal) to you much silver. So Delilah said to Samson,
How (lit: in what) is your power [so] great? And he said, Tie me with (lit: in) seven
tendons, and my power will be lost (use weqatal).

B)
So seven tendons were given were given were given were given to her, and she captured Samson in them and said, The
Philistines are upon you, Samson, but his power was not lost. Then she said, You did not
say to me the truth! Then she said, How (lit: in what) is your power [so] great? And he
said, Tie me with (lit: in) new ropes, and my power will be lost. So new ropes were given were given were given were given
to her, and she captured him in them and said, The Philistines are upon you! But his
power was not lost.

C)

19
nations
20
Pointed
Then she said, You do not love me; rather, you hate me, for you have not said the truth! So
he said, My power is great because the hair which is on my head has not been cut has not been cut has not been cut has not been cut. So she
said to the Philistines, Now I know how (lit: in what) Samsons power is great, and she cut
the hair that [was] on his head, and his power was indeed lost, and he was ca was ca was ca was captured ptured ptured ptured by (lit:
in the hands of) the Philistines.


1. Point the following sentences and translate into English.

1 .
2 .
3 .
4 .
5 .

2. Answer the following questions on the story at the beginning of Unit 28 in Biblical
Hebrew.

1 .
2 .
3 .
4 .
5 .
6 .
7 .


1. Read 2 Samuel 12:1-9 below and answer the following questions in Biblical Hebrew.

1 .
2 .
3 .
4 .
5 .
6 .
7 .
8 .
9 .
10 .

The poor mans lamb (2 Samuel 12:1 The poor mans lamb (2 Samuel 12:1 The poor mans lamb (2 Samuel 12:1 The poor mans lamb (2 Samuel 12:1- -- -9) 9) 9) 9)
King David is not invariably a virtuous ruler. Perhaps the most shocking of his moral lapses
occurs when he has an affair with Bathsheba, the wife of one of his soldiers, and then
secretly has her husband killed in order to cover up the scandal. Following this shameful
incident, the prophet Nathan comes to show David the error of his ways with a moving
parable.

12:1
12:2
12:3

12:4

12:5
12:6
12:7

12:8

12:9

12:1

Nathan
qal qatal 3cp . . . be (see
Unit 35)

rich
,
poor
12:2

many; much
12:3

except
) s (
female lamb
qal qatal 3ms . . . buy
(also: acquire) (see Unit 35)

(and) (he) kept her alive

together
) g ( , ) p (
morsel; piece (of bread)
qal yiqtol 3fs . . . eat (see
Unit 36)
) f ( , - ) p (
cup
qal yiqtol 3fs . . . drink
(see Unit 35)

bosom; lap
qal yiqtol 3fs . . . lie; lie
down (see Unit 33)
qal wayyiqtol 3fs . . . be
(see Unit 35)
12:4
) s (
visitor
qal wayyiqtol 3ms . . . be
reluctant (also: have
compassion) (see Unit 33)

qal infinitive construct prefixed
by . . . take (see Unit
37)

by . . . do; make (see
Unit 35)

guest
qal active participle ms . . .
come (see Unit 39)

qal wayyiqtol 3ms with 3fs object
suffix . . . do; make
12:5
qal wayyiqtol 3ms . . . be
kindled; burn (see Unit 35)
,
) d (
anger (also: nose)

as the LORD lives

deserving of death (lit: son of
death)

. . . do; make (see Unit
35)

this (matter) (the fs nearer
demonstrative is often used to
refer to an abstract concept)
12:6

(he) (should) pay

fourfold

because
qal qatal 3ms . . . do;
make (see Unit 35)
12:7

hifil qatal 1cs with 2ms object
suffix . . . rescue (see Unit
37)

Saul (the first King of Israel, who
became insanely jealous of David
and repeatedly tried to kill him

Despite appearances, this word isnt a geminate; the doubling seen in the dual (and in suffixed
forms) is due to an assimilated dating to a pre-biblical form of the language.
after the latter was anointed
king)
12:8

qal wayyiqtol 1cs with
cohortative suffix . . . give
(see Unit 37)

lord; master (the plural form is
often used with singular
meaning)

little

and if that were (too) little

hifil cohortative singular
. . . add prefixed by
conjunction waw (here: I would
add)

much more like this (lit: like to
here and like to here)
12:9

why
qal qatal 2ms . . . scorn
(see Unit 35)

Uriah (Bathshebas husband)

Hittite (a neighbouring people)
hifil qatal 2ms . . . strike;
strike down (see Units 35 and
37)
) f; s ( , - ) p (
sword
qal qatal 2ms . . . kill

Ammon (an enemy nation)

Ammonites


1. According to tradition, Solomon authored three books of the Hebrew Bible,
including Ecclesiastes, a compilation of observations on the nature of the world.
Translate this adaptation of Ecclesiastes 1-3 into Biblical Hebrew.

These are the words of Ecclesiastes, son of David, king in Jerusalem.
A generation goes (use active participle) and another generation goes, but the sun remains.
All of the rivers go (use active participle) into the sea, but the sea is not full.
There is nothing new (lit: there isnt new) under the sun.
I was made king over Israel, and I have had many flocks and cattle, and slaves and slavegirls,
but look, everything is vanity.
The eyes of the wise man are in his head, whereas the fool walks (use active participle) in
the darkness.
But there are wise men who work (use active participle) in wisdom all their days, but to a
man who did not work, his portion is given; this is also vanity.
There is a time for every thing under the heavens.
There is a time for life and a time for death; a time to mourn and a time to dance; a time to
throw stones and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace and a time to distance
oneself from embracing; a time to seek and a time to lose; a time to keep and a time
to throw [away]; a time to love
21
and a time to hate; a time of war and a time of
peace; a time to be silent
22
and a time to speak.

2. Read the biblical texts at the end of Unit 30 (1 Kings 3:16-22) and 31 (1 Kings 3:23-
28) and answer the following questions in Biblical Hebrew.

1 .

21

2

2 .
3 .
4 .
5 .
6 .
7 .
8 .
9 .
10 .


1. One of the most important things that Solomon did was to build a magnificent
Temple in Jerusalem. Translate this description of its construction (adapted from 1
Kings 5-8) into Biblical Hebrew, using hitpaels for the words in bold.

A)
Solomon was wiser than the kings of all the other lands, and men of all the nations took took took took
delight delight delight delight in his great wisdom. Solomon sent a letter to Hiram King of Tyre saying, You know
that David my father could not build
23
a House for the LORD, but now I seek to build it.
Hiram said, May the LORD be praised be praised be praised be praised, for He gave to David a wise son.

B)
And the two of them made (lit: cut) a treaty, and Hiram would send much wood to
Solomon every year for the House. And the House was beautiful and large, and Solomon
filled it [with] costly stones and gold vessels. And all of the people gathered together gathered together gathered together gathered together and

23

said, Look, Solomon has acted wisely has acted wisely has acted wisely has acted wisely. Then they heard Solomon as he prayed prayed prayed prayed to the LORD
in the Temple.


1. The prophet Elijah was active in the period of Israelite history following Solomons
reign. He fought tirelessly against the worship of the pagan god Baal encouraged by
the Israelite King Ahab and his wife Jezebel. 1 Kings 18 recounts a dramatic
confrontation that Elijah had with the prophets of Baal in order to demonstrate the
power of the God of Israel. Translate this adaptation of the story into Biblical
Hebrew.

A)
Elijah said to the wicked king, You have vexed the LORD by leaving His commandments.
Now gather all Israel on the mountain with the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal (lit:
the Baal). So the king sent a letter to the people and to the prophets of Baal (lit: the Baal),
and they gathered together on the mountain. Elijah said to the people, Now you will learn
who is the true God (lit: God of truth), so that you may choose Him (lit: in Him).

B)
And he said to the prophets of Baal (lit: the Baal), Let two bulls be given to us, and we will
put (lit: give) them on the wood (lit: trees), and I will pray to the LORD, whereas you will
pray to Baal (lit: the Baal). The god who sends fire is the true God (lit: God of truth). So
they did
24
as he had said, and they called in the name of Baal (lit: the Baal) from the
morning until the evening, and they cried out to him, but he did not send fire.

C)
So Elijah mocked them (lit: to them), saying, Maybe your god is travelling (use ms active
participle), or (lit: and) maybe he is sleeping. Then Elijah prayed to the LORD, saying, God
of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, you know that I am your servant, and now please send fire.
And the LORD indeed sent fire, and the wood and bull were burned in the fire. And the
people cried out, Look, the LORD is God (lit: the LORD, He is the God).

24


1. Ezekiel, a prophet active during the Babylonian Exile, sees a dramatic vision of
lifeless bones being restored to life, representing the return of the exiled people to
their land. Translate this summary of his vision (adapted from Ezekiel 37) into
Biblical Hebrew.

A)
The hand of the LORD descended (use qatal) upon me, and He took
25
me to a valley, and it
[was] full [of] bones. And He brought me close to the bones, and look, [they were] very dry.
And He called to me, Prophesy over these dry bones, and call to them (use mp), Hear (mp)
the word of the LORD! Thus said the LORD to these bones: Behold, I am about to give (use
active participle) to you (mp) flesh and skin and breath, and you (mp) will know that I am
the LORD.

B)
So I prophesied over the bones, and while I was prophesying, the bones gathered together,
and look, [there was] skin and flesh on them, and I prophesied again, and breath came
26
in
them. And the LORD said, These bones are all the House of Israel, and they say (use active
participle), Our bones are dry, and we have no hope (lit: there is no hope to us). But I will
open your graves and take you from them to the land of your ancestors, and I will make My
servant David rule over you, and I will sanctify My people.


1. In Jonah 3-4, after returning to dry land the prophet finally obeys Gods instruction
to go to Nineveh and deliver a warning to the people, who undergo a full repentance.
Jonah is distressed at what he regards as Gods excessive leniency in forgiving them

25

26

for their sins. Imagine that youre Jonah and translate this summary of your
experience into Biblical Hebrew. Use III- roots to translate the verbs in bold.

A)
And the LORD commanded commanded commanded commanded me, saying, Prophesy against (lit: in) Nineveh, because its
wickedness has has has has risen up risen up risen up risen up before Me. But I did not listen to (lit: in) His voice, and I sought to
flee to Tarshish. I found a ship, and while I was was was was on it (lit: in her), the LORD made made made made a great
storm, and I cried out, The LORD has become angry (lit: the anger of the LORD has burned has burned has burned has burned)
because I did not do do do do as He commanded commanded commanded commanded.

B)
So I hid inside the ship, but the sailors threw me into the sea and a big fish swallowed me,
and I lived lived lived lived
27
inside the fish three days and three nights. I did not eat and I did not drink drink drink drink,
and I prayed to the LORD and indeed indeed indeed indeed I wept wept wept wept. Then the fish spewed
28
me [on]to the dry land.

C)
Then I went
29
to Nineveh and called to the people, Do not eat
30
and do not drink drink drink drink, and cover cover cover cover
yourselves yourselves yourselves yourselves [in] sackcloth! For I have indeed seen have indeed seen have indeed seen have indeed seen your (mp) death! So they covered covered covered covered
themselves themselves themselves themselves [in] sackcloth and did not eat and did not dri dri dri drink nk nk nk, and the LORD did not destroy
them. And my anger burned burned burned burned at (lit: in) the LORD, and I wept wept wept wept, and I cried out, How could
you do do do do this thing? Why did you not destroy them?


Job Job Job Job, part 1 , part 1 , part 1 , part 1 (Job 1:1 (Job 1:1 (Job 1:1 (Job 1:1- -- -22) 22) 22) 22)
The Book of Job belongs to the genre of widsom literature, philosophical writings on the
nature of reality. It addresses the age-old question of why innocent people suffer.

27

28

29

30

1:1
1:2 1:3

1:8
1:9
1:10
1:11
1:12

1:13
1:14
1:15
1:16

1:18
1:19

1:20
1:21
1:22

1:1
Uz (location uncertain)

Job

blameless; innocent

upright

. . . turn away (see Unit
39)
1:2
nifal wayyiqtol 3mp . . .
be born (see Unit 38)
1:3

livestock; property
) s (
team; pair

group of slaves
1:8

adversary, Satan

you (ms) have noticed (lit: you
have put your heart on)
qal qatal 2ms . . . put
(see Unit 39)
1:9
answer

for nothing
1:10
qal qatal 2ms . . . build
a protective fence (see Unit
39)

here: around

from all sides, all around

product; work (also: deed)
burst out; increase
1:11

however
qal imperative ms . . .
touch; strike (see Unit 37)

[and see] whether

here: to your face

here: euphemism for he will
curse you
1:12
go out (see Unit 38)
1:13

firstborn
1:14

qal active participle fp
. . . plough

qal active participle fp
. . . here: graze

next to them (lit: on their
hands)
1:15
fall (see Unit 37)

here: Sabaeans (people of
Sheba)

qal wayyiqtol 3ms with 3mp
object suffix . . . take
(see Unit 37)
hifil qatal 3cp . . .
strike (see Unit 37)

here: by
=

[by] myself
1:16
qal wayyiqtol 3fs . . .
burn
1:18
here: =
1:19

from beyond
strike; touch (see Unit 37)

corner
fall (see Unit 37)
qal wayyiqtol 3mp . . .
die (see Unit 39)
1:20

robe
cut [hair] (see Unit 40)

and he bowed down (see Unit
40)
1:21
, ) f ( , \ - ) p (
naked
) f; s (
womb; belly
qal yiqtol 1cs . . .
return (see Unit 39)
1:22

prayer; here: (euphemistically)
curse


1. Read Job 2:3-10 and 42:12-17 below and then say whether the following statements
are true or false. If false, cite the correct answer from the text. (Some of the
statements are based on Job 1:1-22 in the extra materials for Unit 35.)

1 .
2 .
3 .
4 .
5 .
6 .
7 .
8 . =) (
9 .
10 .


Job, Job, Job, Job, part 2 part 2 part 2 part 2 (Job 2:3 (Job 2:3 (Job 2:3 (Job 2:3- -- -10, 42:12 10, 42:12 10, 42:12 10, 42:12- -- -17) 17) 17) 17)
Job remains determined not to curse God even as his suffering increases.

2:3

2:4
2:5
2:6
2:7
2:8 2:9
2:10

42:12
42:13
42:16
42:17


2:3
still with 3ms energic
suffix

hifil active participle ms
. . . hold (+ )

integrity

hifil wayyiqtol 2ms with 1cs
object suffix . . . incite
(see Unit 39) (+ against)
(here: waw = even though)

piel infinitive construct
prefixed by and with 3ms
object suffix . . .
destroy
2:4

skin

here: in exchange for
qal yiqtol 3ms . . . give
(see Unit 37)
2:6

only
2:7
hifil wayyiqtol 3ms . . .
strike (see Unit 37)

boils
) f; g ( , ) d (
sole (also: palm of hand)

crown of head
2:8
) s (
piece of broken pottery

hitpael infinitive construct
prefixed by . . .
scratch oneself
) s (
ashes
2:9
qal imperative ms . . .
die (see Unit 39 - but this is
spelled defectively)
2:10

fool, ignoramus
42:12
= piels with as their third
radical sometimes appear with
patah instead of sere pointing
their final syllable

end (here: latter days)
42:13
=
42:16
live
III- wayyiqtol based on
yiqtol instead of jussive
\
generation
42:17
die (see Unit 39)

full, sated


1. Read the biblical texts at the end of Units 36 (Ruth 1:1-7) and 37 (Ruth 1:8-16) and
answer the following questions in Biblical Hebrew.

1 .
2 .
3 .
4 .
5 .

2. The arrival of Naomi and Ruth in Bethlehem caused quite a stir among the local
women. Translate this account of their conversation about their long-lost neighbour
and her Moabite daughter-in-law into Biblical Hebrew. Use I-/ roots to translate
the verbs in bold.

A)
After Naomi had told the women of Bethlehem all the things that she had done in Moab,
she went went went went [away] with Ruth. And after the two of them had gone gone gone gone, the women said, Have you
heard the matter of Naomi? She went went went went to Moab with her husband and her two sons, but now
all of them have died
31
, and children were not born were not born were not born were not born to her sons. So she and her daughter-in-
law Ruth went out went out went out went out from Moab, and now they want to live live live live here.

B)
The women said further further further further (lit: did again did again did again did again to say), Look, Ruth is beautiful, and look, she agreed agreed agreed agreed
to cling to (lit: in) her mother-in-law, so as not to go go go go after her sister-in-law to her people.
But Ruth does not have (lit: there is not to Ruth) a husband who will father father father father sons for her.
And now she will not inherit inherit inherit inherit land, so (lit: and) where will they live live live live, and who will save save save save them
(lit: to them), so that it may go well may go well may go well may go well for them?

Unit 3 Unit 3 Unit 3 Unit 38 88 8

1. Locate and parse the I-/ roots in Ruth 1:22-4:17 below.

2. Read Ruth 1:22-4:17 below and answer the following questions in Biblical Hebrew.

1 .
2 .
3 .
4 .
5 .

31

6 .
7 .
8 .
9 .
10 .
32

11 .
12 .
13 .
14 .


Ruth, Ruth, Ruth, Ruth, part 3 part 3 part 3 part 3 (Ruth 1:22 (Ruth 1:22 (Ruth 1:22 (Ruth 1:22- -- -4:17) 4:17) 4:17) 4:17)

Ruth and Naomi return to Bethlehem, where Ruth meets Naomis relative Boaz.

1:22
2:1
2:2

33

2:3
2:8

32
Qal infinitive construct prefixed by . . . redeem (i.e. marry a deceased relatives widow)
33
someone is implied following this

34
2:10
2:11

3:1
3:2
3:3

3:4
3:5
3:6
3:7
3:8
3:9
3:10

3:11
4:13
4:14

3
Note lengthened vowel in second syllable
4:15
4:16
4:17

1:22
qal wayyiqtol 3fs . . .
return (see Unit 39)

beginning

harvest

barley (usually plural)
2:1

relative

(wealthy) landowner

Boaz
2:2
qal cohortative s . . . go
(see Unit 38)

piel cohortative s . . .
glean (gather surplus grain left
in the fields by the harvesters)

(Note unusual hatef qames
pointing the )
) s (
ear of grain
2:3

qal active participle mp
. . . harvest

and she ended up by chance
(lit: and her chance happened
upon)
happen upon

chance
2:8

by . . . glean
qal yiqtol 2fs . . . pass
(unusual form with shureq in
second syllable)
2:10

and she bowed down (see Unit
40)

hifil infinitive construct
prefixed by with 1cs object
suffix . . . recognize
(here: acknowledge)

foreigner
2:11
) s (
origin

previously (lit: yesterday [and]
the day before yesterday)
3:1

resting place
3:2

our kinsman (hapax
legomenon)

. . . winnow
) s (
threshing-floor
3:3
qal weqatal 2fs . . .
wash
qal weqatal 2fs . . .
anoint/oil oneself (see Unit
39) (waw is pointed with
qames because the stress is on
the next syllable; this happens
occasionally and should be easy
to recognize)
qal weqatal 2fs . . . put;
put on (see Unit 39)
3:4

at his feet (doesnt appear in
the Hebrew Bible without
possessive suffix)
3:7

edge

heap (of grain)

secrecy
3:8

the middle of the night (lit:
half of the night)
nifal wayyiqtol 3ms . . .
meaning unclear; possibly turn
over
3:9
qal weqatal 2ms . . .
spread out
) f ( , ) d (
wing

redeemer (a deceased mans
brother or other male relative
who under Israelite law was
expected to marry his widow)
3:10

you (fs) have shown kindness
(lit: you have treated well
[with] your kindness)

last

here: whether
) g (
poor
3:11

woman of valour
4:13

conception
4:14
hifil qatal 3ms . . .
prevent
4:15

hifil active participle ms
. . . restore (see Unit 39)

to provide, sustain (pilpel; see
Unit 40)

old age; grey/white hair
4:16

qal wayyiqtol 3fs with 3ms
object suffix . . . put
(see Unit 39)

nursemaid
4:17

was born (qal passive qatal; see
Unit 40)

Obed


1. Translate this adaptation of Esther 1-6 into Biblical Hebrew. Use hollow roots to
translate the verbs in bold.

A)
It came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus; he was [the] Ahasuerus who was ruling from India
to (lit: and until) Ethiopia. The king made a great banquet, and all of his officials came came came came.
When the kings heart was merry (lit: good) with (lit: in) wine, he called his wife, Vashti the
queen, saying, Come Come Come Come to the banquet so that the officials may see that you are beautiful. But
the queen refused to come come come come, and the king became very angry and said, I will find a different
queen.

B)
So beautiful girls were sought, and they came came came came to the palace. And there was a Jewish man,
and his name was Mordecai, and the daughter of his uncle was Esther, and they brought brought brought brought
Esther to the palace and chose her (lit: in her) to be the new queen. Then the king made
Haman great, and the man was very evil. And Haman said, All the people must bow down
to me. And all the people did as he said, only not Mordecai.

C)
And when Haman heard that Mordecai was a Jew, he said to the king, There is a people in
your land who do not do as your officials command, and now if it pleases the king (lit: if on
the king [is] good), indeed indeed indeed indeed I will kill kill kill kill this people. And the king said, You may indeed (use
infinitive absolute) kill kill kill kill them. And Haman made a gallows (lit: tree) for Mordecai. When
Mordecai heard that Haman desired to kill kill kill kill all the Jews, he said to Esther, Please speak with
the king lest Haman kills kills kills kills all our people.

D)
So Esther said to the king, Please come come come come to a wine banquet which I have have have have prepared prepared prepared prepared. So the
king came came came came to the banquet, and said, What can I give to you? And Esther said, Please come come come come
to a second banquet that I will prepare prepare prepare prepare tomorrow, and bring bring bring bring Haman.

2. Read the biblical texts at the end of Units 38 (Esther 7:1-6) and 39 (Esther 7:7-10)
and answer the following questions in Biblical Hebrew.

1 .
2 .
3 .
4 .
5 .

6 .
7 .
8 .
9 .


1. Read the biblical text at the end of Unit 40 (Daniel 1:3-19) and answer the following
questions in Biblical Hebrew.

1 .
2 .
3 .
4 .
5 .
6 .
7 .
8 .
9 .

10 .

Key to extra exercises Key to extra exercises Key to extra exercises Key to extra exercises and biblical texts and biblical texts and biblical texts and biblical texts


E EE Exercise 1 xercise 1 xercise 1 xercise 1
1 .
Where is the man?
2 .
The horse is inside the field.
3 .
The king is sitting on a throne inside the palace.
4 .
The throne is big.
5 .
The garden is very small.
6 .
The wise man is near/next to the city.
7 .
The mountains are there.
8 .
The silver/money is near/next to the spies.
9 .
Where are the children?
10 .
The gold is inside the earth.





Exercise 1 Exercise 1 Exercise 1 Exercise 1
1 .
Now the king did not know where the bread and the meat and the fruit [were].
2 .
The king said to the slaves, You stole the bread!
3 .
But the slaves said, We didnt steal the bread!
4 .
The king said to the queen, You stole the meat!
5 .
But the queen said, I didnt steal the meat!
6 .
The king said to the slavegirls, You stole the fruit!
7 .
But the slavegirls said, We didnt steal the fruit!
8 .
The slave said, Look, the bread and the meat and the fruit are next to the
horse!
9 .
The king said, Woe is me, the horse stole the food!

1 .
2 .
3 .
4 .
5 .
6 .
7 .
8 .






1 .
The [female] donkeys are more wicked than the horse.
2 .
The field is smaller than the palace.
3 .
The vessels are more precious than the wine.
4 .
The [female] goat is smaller than the camels.
5 .
The slavegirl is wiser than the slave.
6 .
The palace is more beautiful than the fields.
7 .
The camels are bigger than the kings.
8 .
The honey is sweeter than the bread.

Exercis Exercis Exercis Exercise 2 e 2 e 2 e 2
1 .
2 .
3 .
4 .

5 .


a. - adjective, indefinite, predicative, masculine, plural, , old/elderly
b. - verb, qal, qatal, 3ms, . . . He took notice of
c. - verb, qal, qatal, 3ms, . . . He had said (the second syllable of this
verb is pointed with qames instead of the expected patah because the word is in a
special pausal form (See Unit 24, grammar point 3 for explanation of this concept).


1. - a son of a slavegirl (or: a slavegirls son)
2. - water of a well (or: well water)
3. - slavegirls of a palace (or: a palaces slavegirls)
4. - trees of fruit (or: fruit trees)
5. - messengers/angels of truth
6. - a house of a slave (or: a slaves house)
7. - a banquet of wine (or: a wine banquet)

1. - construct
Gods angel
2. - absolute
A beautiful woman
3. - construct
Sarah, Abrahams wife
4. - absolute
A well of water
5. - construct
Jerusalems daughters
6. - construct
Abrahams house
7. - construct
Elders of the land of Egypt
8. a. - absolute
b. - absolute
Vineyards and olives
9. - construct
Judahs cities
10. - construct
Because of (lit: on/about the matter of) Sarah
35


35
We havent studied the use of the in translations of the construct chain yet (this will be covered
in Unit 13), so dont worry if you found this confusing.
1. False
2. True
3. True
4. False
5. True
6. False
7. True
8. True



Exercise Exercise Exercise Exercise 1 11 1


A)

B)


1 .
2 .
3 .
4 .
5 .
6 .
7 .
8 .
9 .

\
\


A)

B)




1. True
2. False: (Exodus 2:2)
3. True
5. True
6. True
8. True
10. True

1. - noun, common, construct, fs, definite (because in construct to definite
absolute noun), joined by maqqef to preceding separable preposition, on the bank
of
2. - noun, common, pronominal, fp, definite (because of possessive suffix),
prefixed by conjunction waw, possessive suffix 3fs, and her maidservants
3. - verb, qal, wayyiqtol, 3fs, . . . , and she sent
4. - noun, common, pronominal, fs, joined by maqqef to preceding
definite direct object marker, possessive suffix 3fs, her maidservant
5. - noun, common, construct, mp, definite (because in construct to definite
absolute noun), prefixed by separable preposition , of/from the children of

Jacob and Esau, the hidden years (Genesis 25:27-34)

25:27 The two lads grew up, and Esau was a hunter (lit: a man knowing hunting), whereas
Jacob was a simple man, a dweller of tents. 25:28 Isaac loved Esau because he had a taste for
game (lit: hunting was in his mouth), whereas Rebecca loved Jacob. 25:29 Jacob boiled a
stew, and Esau came from the field, and he was famished. 25:30 Esau said to Jacob, Please
cram me full of this red stuff (lit: this red-red), because I am famished! Therefore he was
called (lit: one called his name) Edom. 25:31 So Jacob said, Sell your firstborn birthright
today to me. 25:32 Esau said, Cant you see (lit: look/behold) Im going to die, so what
good to me is a firstborn birthright? 25:33 Jacob said, Swear to me today! So he swore to
him, and he sold his firstborn birthright to Jacob. 25:34 And Jacob gave Esau bread and
lentil stew, and he ate and drank and got up and went, and Esau scorned the firstborn
birthright.


A)

B)


1. True
2. True
4. True
6. True
7. True


A)

\ \

B)

\


Note: accents and pausal forms arent included in the answers to this and subsequent
exercises involving translation from English to Hebrew or composition in Hebrew.

\

) (
) ( ) (
) (

Extra biblical story Extra biblical story Extra biblical story Extra biblical story

Samson and the lion (Judges 14:5-9)
14:5 So Samson and his father and his mother went down to Timnah, and they came as far
as (lit: until) the vineyards of Timnah, when suddenly (lit: and look!) a young lion (lit: a
young lion of lions) [came] roaring towards him. 14:6 And the spirit of the LORD was strong
upon him, and he tore it as if tearing a kid goat without anything (lit: and there was
nothing) in his hand; but he did not tell his father and his mother (lit: to his father and to
his mother) what he had done. 14:7 Then he went down and spoke to the woman, and she
was pleasing in Samsons eyes. 14:8 He returned after a time to take her, and he turned
aside to see the carcass of the lion, and he saw (lit: and look!) a swarm of bees in the body
of the lion, and honey. 14:9 He scraped it into his palms and walked along eating, and he
went to his father and to his mother and gave them [some], and they ate. But he did not tell
them that he had scraped the honey out of the body of the lion.


1. - verb, qal, wayyiqtol, 3ms, . . . , and it was heavy
2. - verb, qal, qatal, 1cs, . . . , I love
3. - verb, qal, qatal, 2ms, . . . , you have grown old
4. - verb, qal, qatal, 3ms OR stative adjective ms, . . . , it was
heavy/serious
5. - verb, qal, qatal, 3cp, . . . , they could
6. , - verb, qal, yiqtol, 3ms, . . . , he will become big/great
7. - verb, qal, qat al, 3cp, . . . , they have become full
8. - verb, qal, qat al, 1cp, . . . , we fear/feared


1 .
2 .
3 .
4 .
5 . \

6 .

7 .
8 .
9 .
10 .


1 . ) Psalms 83:5 (
And the name of Israel will no longer be remembered.
2 . ) 2 Kings 19:37 (
And they escaped/fled.
3 . ) Genesis 49:2 (
Gather together and listen!
4 . ) Exodus 14:14 (
The LORD will fight for you.
5 . ) Psalms 105:17 (
Joseph was sold as (lit: to) a slave
6 . ) Ruth 1:17 (
And there I will be buried
7 . ) Psalms 9:20 (
Nations are/will be judged
8 . ) Judges 13:4 (
And now please guard yourself (i.e. be careful)
9 . ) Ruth 1:3 (
And she was left, she and her two sons
10 . ) Esther 7:4 (
For we have been sold, my people and I

A)

\

B)

C)


1 .
When the slaves had thrown the food into the pit, the horse looked down on it.
2 .
When he brought his head close to the pit, all of a sudden (lit: and look!) the horse
fell into the pit.
3 .
The horse said to himself (lit: in his heart), Why have they vexed me by throwing
the food into the pit?
4 .
Then the wicked camels approached the pit and looked down on the horse and
mocked him (lit: to him).
5 .
And as they were mocking him, the horse said, Dont vex me!

1 .
2 .
3 .
4 .
5 .

6 .
7 .


Exer Exer Exer Exercise 1 cise 1 cise 1 cise 1

1 .
2 .
3 .
4 .
5 .
6 .
7 .
8 .
9 .
10 .

The poor mans lamb (2 Samuel 12:1-9)
12:1 The LORD sent Nathan to David and he came to him and said to him, There were two
men in one city; one was rich and one was poor. 12:2 The (lit: a) rich man had very many
flocks and cattle. 12:3 But the poor man did not have anything except one small [female]
lamb that he had bought, and he kept her alive and she grew up with him and with his
children together; she used to eat from his morsel [of bread] and she used to drink from his
cup, and she used to lie in his lap, and she was like a daughter to him. 12:4 A visitor came
to the (lit: a) rich man, and he was reluctant to take from his flocks and from his cattle to
prepare (lit: make) for the guest who came to him, so he took the poor mans lamb and
prepared (lit: made) her for the man who came to him. 12:5 David became very angry (lit:
Davids anger was kindled greatly) at the man and he said to Nathan, As the LORD lives,
indeed the man who has done this is deserving of death (lit: a son of death)! 12:6 And he
should pay [for] the lamb fourfold because he did this thing and because he did not have
compassion! 12:7 Then Nathan said to David, You are the man! Thus says (lit: said) the
LORD, the God of Israel: I anointed you as (lit: for) king over Israel, and I rescued you from
the hand of Saul. 12:8 And I gave you (lit: to you) the house of your master, and your
masters wives in your lap (or: bosom), and I gave you (lit: to you) the House of Israel and
Judah, and if [that were too] little I would add much more like this (lit: like to here and like
to here). 12:9 [So] why have you scorned the word of the LORD by doing [that which is] evil
(lit: the evil) in My eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and you took
his wife for yourself as (lit: for) a wife, and you killed him with the sword of the
Ammonites.


Note: in cases where there is more than one possible correct translation (e.g. an infinitive
construct either prefixed or unprefixed by the inseparable preposition ), if one of the
possibilities appears in Ecclesiastes that is the one given here. If youve arrived at a slightly
different solution, its not necessarily wrong. (The same is true of subsequent English to
Hebrew translations closely based on biblical passages.)

1 .
2 .
3 .
4 .

5 .
6 .
7 .
8 .
9 .
10 .


A)

B)

\


A)

\

B)

\

C)


A)

B)


A)

\ ) (

B)
\

\

C)

) (


Job, part 1 (Job 1:1-22)
1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job (lit: Job his name), and the (lit:
that) man was blameless and upright and God-fearing and turned away from evil. 1:2 Seven
sons and three daughters were born to him. 1:3 And he possessed (lit: his property was)
seven thousand sheep and goats, and three thousand camels, and five hundred teams of
cattle, and five hundred female donkeys, and a very great number of slaves, and that man
was greater than all of the people (lit: sons) of the East. 1:8 The LORD said to the Adversary
(or: the Satan), Have you noticed (lit: put your heart on) My servant Job? For there is none
like him in the land, a blameless and upright man, God-fearing and turning away from evil.
1:9 The Adversary answered the LORD and said, Is it for nothing that Job fears God? 1:10
Havent You built a protective fence around him and his house and around everything that
he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his property has increased in the land.
1:11 However, stretch out Your hand and strike everything that he has, and [see] whether
he does not curse (lit: bless) You to Your face. 1:12 So the LORD said to the Adversary,
Look, everything that he has is in your hand(s); just do not lay a hand on him (lit: stretch
out your hand to him). And the Adversary set out from the LORD (lit: from with the face of
the LORD). 1:13 One day (lit: and the day was), his sons and his daughters were eating and
drinking wine in their oldest (lit: firstborn) brothers house. 1:14 A messenger came to Job
and said, The cattle were ploughing, and the donkeys were grazing next to them. 1:15 Then
Sabaens (lit: Sheba) fell [upon them] and took them, and they struck down the servants by
the sword, and only I myself escaped to tell you (lit: to you). 1:16 While he (lit: this one)
was still speaking, someone else (lit: this one) came and said, The fire of God fell from the
heavens, and burned the (lit: in the) flocks and the servants and consumed them, and only I
myself escaped to tell you (lit: to you). 1:18 While he (lit: this one) was still speaking,
someone else (lit: this one) came and said, Your sons and your daughters were eating and
drinking wine in the house of their oldest brother. 1:19 And all of a sudden (lit: and look!) a
great wind came from beyond the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and
it fell on the youths, and they died, and only I myself escaped to tell you (lit: to you). 1:20
Job got up and tore his robe and cut [the hair of] his head and fell to the ground and bowed
down. 1:21 And he said, Naked I came out of my mothers womb, and naked I shall return
there. The LORD has given, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
1:22 In all of this, Job did not sin, and he did not curse (lit: give a prayer to) God.

1. False: (Job 1:1)
2. False: (Job 1:2)
3. True
4. True
5. True
6. False: (Job 1:22)
7. True
8. False: (Job 2:9)
9. False: (Job 2:10)
10. True


Job, part 2 (Job 2:3-10, 42:12-17)
2:3 The LORD said to the Adversary (or: Satan), Have you noticed (lit: put your heart to)
My servant Job? For there is none like him in the land, a blameless and upright man, God-
fearing and turning away from evil, and he still holds onto his integrity, even though you
incited Me against him to destroy him for no reason (lit: for nothing). 2:4 The Adversary
answered the LORD and said, Skin in exchange for skin; a man will give everything that he
has in exchange for his life (lit: soul). 2:5 However, stretch out your hand and strike at his
flesh and bones (lit: bone and flesh), [and see] whether he does not curse (lit: bless) you to
your face! 2:6 So God said to the Adversary, Look, he is in your hand(s); just keep him
alive (lit: keep his soul). 2:7 And the Adversary set out from the LORD (lit: from with the
face of the LORD), and he struck Job with terrible (lit: bad) boils from the sole of his foot to
(lit: and until) the crown of his head. 2:8 So he took a piece of broken pottery with which to
scratch himself as he was sitting in the ashes. 2:10 Then his wife said to him, Are you still
holding on to your integrity? Curse (lit: bless) God and die! 2:10 He said to her, You are
speaking as one of the foolish women speaks! We accept (lit: also accept) the good from
God (lit: the God), so should we not accept the bad? In all of this, Job did not sin with his
lips. 42:12 And the LORD blessed Jobs latter days (lit: end) more than his early days (lit:
beginning); he had fourteen thousand sheep and goats, and six thousand camels, and a
thousand teams of cattle, and a thousand female donkeys. 42:13 And he had seven sons and
three daughters. 42:16 And after this Job lived a hundred and forty years, and he saw four
generations of descendants (lit: he saw his sons and his sons sons, four generations). 42:17
And Job died old and sated in (lit: of) days.


1 .
2 .
3 .
4 .
5 .

Note: in the Book of Ruth, 3mp verbs and suffixes are often used with reference to pairs of
women (e.g. Ruth and Orpah; Ruth and Naomi). In this answer key, the standard 3fp forms
have been used, but if you based your translation on the Book of Ruth and employed the
3mp variants, thats fine too.

A)

B)
\



1. (Ruth 2:2) - verb, qal, cohortative, singular, joined by maqqef to
following particle , . . . , I think Ill go/let me go
2. (Ruth 2:2) - verb, qal, imperative, fs, . . . , go!
3. (Ruth 2:3) - verb, qal, wayyiqtol, 3fs, . . . , and she went
4. (Ruth 2:8) - verb, qal, yiqtol, 2fs, joined by maqqef to preceding negative
particle, . . . , do not go
5. (Ruth 2:11) - verb, qal, wayyiqtol, 2fs, . . . , and you went
6. (Ruth 2:11) - verb, qal, qatal, 2fs, joined by maqqef to preceding
negative particle, . . . , you did not know
7. (Ruth 3:1) - verb, qal, yiqtol, 3ms, joined by maqqef to following
inseparable preposition with 2fs pronominal suffix, . . . , it will go well for you
8. (Ruth 3:3) - verb, qal, weqatal, 2fs, . . . , go down
9. (Ruth 3:3) - verb, nifal, yiqtol, 2fs, joined by maqqef to preceding
negative particle, . . . , do not make yourself known
10. (Ruth 3:4) - verb, qal, weqatal, 2fs, . . . , know (here: notice)
11. (Ruth 3:6) - verb, qal, wayyiqtol, 3fs, . . . , and she went down
12. (Ruth 3:7) - verb, qal, wayyiqtol, 3ms, . . . , and it went well
13. (Ruth 3:10) - verb, hifil, qatal, 2fs, . . . you have treated kindly
14. (Ruth 3:10) - verb, qal, infinitive construct, joined by maqqef to
preceding negative particle, . . . , not to go/by not going
15. (Ruth 3:11) - verb, qal, yiqtol, 2fs, joined by maqqef to preceding
negative particle, . . . , do not fear
16. (Ruth 3:11) - verb, qal, active participle, ms, absolute, indefinite, . . . ,
knows/knowing
17. (Ruth 4:13) - verb, qal, wayyiqtol, 3fs, . . . , and she gave birth to
18. (Ruth 4:15) - verb, qal, qatal, 3fs, with 3ms object suffix, . . . , she gave
birth to him

The following verb doesnt need to be parsed at this point because it wont be studied until
Unit 40, but the details are provided here for reference (just in case you cant stand the
suspense!).

19. (Ruth 4:17) - verb, qal passive, qatal, 3ms, joined by maqqef to following
noun, . . . , he was born

1 .
2 .
3 .
4 .
5 .
6 .
7 .
8 .
9 .
10 .
11 .
12 .
13 .
14 .


Ruth, part 3 (Ruth 1:22-4:17)
1:22 So Naomi and Ruth the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, returned from the country of
Moab (lit: her daughter-in-law, who was returning from the country of Moab), and they
came to Bethlehem at the beginning of [the] barley harvest. 2:1 Now Naomi had a relative
on her husbands side (lit: a relative for her husband), a wealthy landowner from
Elimelechs family, and his name was Boaz. 2:2 And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, Let
me go [to] the field so that I may glean amongst the ears of grain behind [someone] who is
kind to me (lit: in whose eyes I may find favour). And she said to her, Go, my daughter.
2:3 So she went, and she came and gleaned in the field behind the harvesters, and she
ended up by chance (lit: her chance happened upon) the portion of the field [belonging] to
Boaz, who was from Elimelechs family. 2:8 Boaz said to Ruth, Listen (lit: havent you
heard), my daughter; dont go to glean in another field, and dont go away (lit: pass) from
here (lit: this) either (lit: also); stay close to (lit: cling with) my maidens. 2:10 She fell on
her face and bowed down to the ground and said to him, Why have you been so kind to me
(lit: why have I found favour in your eyes), by acknowledging me, even though I am a
foreigner? 2:11 Boaz answered her (lit: answered and said to her), Indeed I was told
everything that you have done for (lit: with) your mother-in-law after the death of your
husband; you left your father and your mother and the land of your origin and you went to
a people whom you did not know previously (lit: yesterday, the day before yesterday). 3:1
Naomi, her mother-in-law, said to her, My daughter, shouldnt I seek a resting place for
you that would be pleasing for you? 3:2 Now, is not Boaz our kinsman, with whose maidens
you have been? Look, he is winnowing the barley threshing-floor tonight. 3:3 So you must
wash [yourself] and anoint [yourself] and put your robes on (lit: on yourself), and go down
[to] the threshing-floor. Dont make yourself known to the man until he finishes eating and
drinking. 3:4 And when he lies down (lit: and let it be when), notice (lit: know) the place
where he is lying (lit: that he is lying there), and come and uncover his feet and lie down,
and he will tell you what you should do. 3:5 And she said to her, Everything that you say
to me, I will do. 3:6 So she went down [to] the threshing-floor, and she did just as (lit:
according to everything) that her mother-in-law had commanded her. 3:7 Boaz ate and
drank, and was happy (lit: and his heart went well). When he came to lie down at the edge
of the heap [of barley], she came in secret and uncovered his feet and lay down. 3:8 In the
middle of the night, the man trembled and turned over, and there was a woman lying at his
feet! 3:9 He said, Who are you? And she said, I am Ruth, your maidservant; spread your
wings over your maidservant, for you are a redeemer. 3:10 And he said, Blessed [be] you
by (lit: to) the LORD, my daughter; your latter kindness has been [even] greater than the
first (lit: you have done your kindness well, the last one more than the first) by not going
after the young men, whether poor or rich (lit: whether poor, and whether rich). 3:11 And
now, my daughter, do not fear; everything that you say I will do for you, for all my people
(lit: the whole gate of my people) know that you are a woman of valour. 4:13 So Boaz took
Ruth and she became his wife (lit: for a wife for him), and he came to her and the LORD
made her conceive (lit: the LORD granted her conception), and she gave birth to a son. 4:14
And the women said to Naomi, Blessed is the LORD, who has not deprived you of (lit:
prevented for you) a redeemer today, so that his name may famous (lit: be called out) in
Israel. 4:15 And he will restore your spirit[s] and sustain [you in] your old age, for your
daughter-in-law, who loves you, who (lit: who she) is better to you than seven sons, bore
him. 4:16 And Naomi took the child and put him in her lap, and she became a nursemaid
for him. 4:17 And the neighbour-women named him (lit: called him a name), saying, A son
has been born to Naomi, and they called him (lit: his name) Obed. He was the father of
Jesse, the father of David.


A)

\
) ( \

B)

\

C)
\
\

\ ) (

D)

\

1 .
2 .
3 .
4 .
5 .

6 . \
7 .
8 . ) (
9 .


1 .

2 .
3 .
4 .
5 .
6 .

7 .

8 .
9 .

10 .

Suggested f Suggested f Suggested f Suggested further urther urther urther resources resources resources resources

Abo Abo Abo About the Hebrew Bible ut the Hebrew Bible ut the Hebrew Bible ut the Hebrew Bible
Berlin, Adele and Marc Zvi Brettler, eds., and Michael Fishbane, consulting ed. The Jewish
Study Bible. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999.
English-only edition with the Jewish Publication Societys translation plus excellent
introductions and commentary to each biblical book.

Hayes, Christine. Introduction to the Bible. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2012.
An accessible and informative introduction to the Hebrew Bible that can be read on
its own or in conjunction with the authors free online course (see below)

http://oyc.yale.edu/religious-studies/rlst-145
Free video lectures of introductory semester-long Yale University course on the
Hebrew Bible taught by Christine Hayes.

Hebrew B Hebrew B Hebrew B Hebrew Bible editions ible editions ible editions ible editions
Elliger, K. and W. Rudolph, eds. Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. Fifth edition. Stuttgart:
Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1997.
The standard critical edition of the Hebrew Bible.

www.tanach.us
The complete text of the Leningrad Codex of the Hebrew Bible with various
searching and viewing options (accents, vowels only, and consonants only).

JPS Hebrew-English Tanakh: The Traditional Hebrew Text and the New JPS Translation.
Second edition. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, 1999.
A bilingual edition with Hebrew and English on facing pages.

Brown, A. Philip II and Brian W. Smith, eds. A Readers Hebrew Bible. Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan, 2008.
A Hebrew-only edition based on the electronic Leningrad Codex. It is designed for
students and contains several helpful features including page-by-page glosses of
Hebrew vocabulary occurring 100 times or less, highlighting of rare proper nouns,
and a final glossary of Hebrew vocabulary occurring more than 100 times.

Teaching grammars Teaching grammars Teaching grammars Teaching grammars
There are numerous teaching grammars of Biblical Hebrew; here is a small selection of
some standard works that can be used for reference at various levels of study.

Lambdin, Thomas. Introduction to Biblical Hebrew. London: Darton, Longman and Todd,
1971.

Seow, Choon-Leong. A Grammar for Biblical Hebrew. Revised edition. Nashville: Abingdon
Press, 1995.

Weingreen, Jacob. A Practical Grammar for Classical Hebrew. Second edition. Oxford:
Clarendon Press, 1959.

More adva More adva More adva More advanced r nced r nced r nced reference grammars eference grammars eference grammars eference grammars
Williams, Ronald J. Williams Hebrew Syntax. Revised and expanded by John C. Beckman.
Third edition. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007.
A concise guide to Biblical Hebrew syntax.

Joon, Paul and Takamitsu Muraoka. A Grammar of Biblical Hebrew. Second reprint of the
second edition, with corrections. Rome: Gregorian and Biblical Press, 2009.
A thorough reference grammar providing detailed information on Biblical Hebrew
morphology and syntax.

Van der Merwe, Christo, Jackie Naud, and Jan Kroeze. A Biblical Hebrew Reference
Grammar. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1999.
A compact reference grammar covering the chief aspects of Biblical Hebrew
morphology and syntax.

Waltke, Bruce and M. OConnor. An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax. Winona Lake,
IN: Eisenbrauns, 1990.
A comprehensive reference work providing detailed discussion of Biblical Hebrew
syntax.

Lexicons Lexicons Lexicons Lexicons and vocabulary guides and vocabulary guides and vocabulary guides and vocabulary guides
Brown, Francis, S. R. Driver, and Charles Briggs. The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and
Englsh Lexicon. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2001. (Reprint of 1906 editon.)
A classic one-volume lexicon that is still in widespread use. Somewhat outdated and
can be difficult for beginners to use as entries are organized by root.

Clines, David. The Concise Dictionary of Classical Hebrew. Sheffield: Sheffield University
Press, 2009.
A recent one-volume lexicon suitable for beginning and more advanced students;
includes statistics listing the number of times each word occurs in the Hebrew Bible.

Holladay, William. A Concise Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament. Grand
Rapids, MI: Eerdmans; Leiden: Brill, 1971.
A user-friendly one-volume lexicon suitable for beginning and more advanced
students.

Koehler, Ludwig and Walter Baumgartner. The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old
Testament. Translated and edited under the supervision of M. Richardson. Study edition.
Two volumes. Leiden: Brill, 2001.
An extremely comprehensive updated reference work based on the classic lexicon by
Koehler and Baumgartner.

Van Pelt, Miles and Gary Pratico. The Vocabulary Guide to Biblical Hebrew. Grand Rapids,
MI: Zondervan, 2003.
Very helpful reference for beginning students, listing all vocabulary occurring at
least ten times in the Hebrew Bible. Vocabulary is presented in various useful ways,
e.g. by frequency, by root, by part of speech, etc.

Other study aids Other study aids Other study aids Other study aids
Van Pelt, Miles. Biblical Hebrew: A Compact Guide. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012.
A convenient pocket-sized reference guide explaining the essential points of Biblical
Hebrew grammar.

Van Pelt, Miles and Gary Pratico. Biblical Hebrew Laminated Sheet. Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan, 2005.
A convenient laminated sheet summarizing the essential points of Biblical Hebrew
grammar.

Sample syllabus for use with the Routledge Introductory Course in Biblical Sample syllabus for use with the Routledge Introductory Course in Biblical Sample syllabus for use with the Routledge Introductory Course in Biblical Sample syllabus for use with the Routledge Introductory Course in Biblical
Hebrew Hebrew Hebrew Hebrew

This syllabus is based on a teaching year consisting of four weekly contact hours spread
over two ten-week terms (eighty contact hours in total) and is organized so that the
grammar of one textbook unit is introduced in each lesson. It can be adapted to suit other
teaching schedules as necessary.

TERM 1
Week 1, lesson A
(Lesson 1)
Introduction to Biblical Hebrew
Writing system: consonants
Writing system: vowels

Week 1, lesson B
(Lesson 2)
Syllables
Tone
Vowel preferences
Shewa (vocal and silent)
Dagesh (strong and weak)
Qames hatuf
Guttural consonants

Week 2, lesson A
(Lesson 3)
The definite article
Maqqef
Basic word order
Equational sentences

Week 2, lesson B
(Lesson 4)
The conjunction waw
Prepositions (independent,
separable, inseparable)
Rule of shewa
Furtive patah

Week 3, lesson A
(Lesson 5)
Noun gender
Noun number
Segolate and geminate nouns

Week 3, lesson B
(Lesson 6)
The Biblical Hebrew verbal system
The qal qatal
The definite direct object marker
\
Parsing verbs

Week 4, lesson A
(Lesson 7)

The qal yiqtol

Week 4, lesson B
(Lesson 8)
The qal wayyiqtol
introducing temporal clauses
introducing causal and
complement clauses
The particle

Week 5, lesson A
(Lesson 9)
Adjective gender and number
indicating possession
Uses of the word

Week 5, lesson B
(Lesson 10)
Use of adjectives
(attributive/predicative)
Comparative adjectives
Parsing adjectives
Coursework 1 Coursework 1 Coursework 1 Coursework 1

Week 6, lesson A
(Lesson 11)
Demonstrative pronouns
Demonstrative adjectives
as emphatic particle

Week 6, lesson B
(Lesson 12)

Forming the construct state
Week 7, lesson A
(Lesson 13)
Use of the construct state
The particles and

Week 7, lesson B Possessive suffixes on singular

See Coursework assignments section of website

(Lesson 14) nouns
Use of possessive suffixes
Mappiq
introducing contrast and
temporal clauses

Week 8, lesson A
(Lesson 15)

Possessive suffixes on plural nouns

Week 8, lesson B
(Lesson 16)
Personal pronouns
Gentilic adjectives
Directive
Cognate accusative
Parsing nouns
Coursework 2 Coursework 2 Coursework 2 Coursework 2*

Week 9, lesson A
(Lesson 17)
Suffixes on prepositions , , ,
, and definite direct object
marker
Interrogative

Week 9, lesson B
(Lesson 18)
Suffixes on prepositions , ,
, and
Cardinal numerals

Week 10, lesson A
(Lesson 19)
The qal weqatal
Pointing of what
Conjunctive dagesh

Week 10, lesson B The qal active participle
(Lesson 20) Negation of the active participle
and with pronominal
suffixes
Parsing active participles

TERM 2
Week 11, lesson A
(Lesson 21)
The qal volitives (cohortative,
imperative, jussive)
Negative commands with the
particle
Masculine singular imperatives with
- suffix
The particle

Week 11, lesson B
(Lesson 22)

The qal infinitive construct
The infinitive construct with subject
suffixes
Negating the infinitive construct

Week 12, lesson A
(Lesson 23)
The qal infinitive absolute
Purpose clauses with the yiqtol or
cohortative

Week 12, lesson B
(Lesson 24)
The qal passive participle
Accents
Pausal forms
Singular verbs with plural subjects

Week 13, lesson A Qal stative verbs
(Lesson 25)

Ordinal numerals

Week 13, lesson B
(Lesson 26)

Object suffixes on verbs (including
energic suffixes)
Conjunction waw introducing
concessive clauses

Week 14, lesson A
(Lesson 27)

The nifal

Week 14, lesson B
(Lesson 28)

The hifil

Week 15, lesson A
(Lesson 29)

The hofal
Relative clauses
Ketiv/qere

Week 15, lesson B
(Lesson 30)

The piel
Real conditions

Week 16, lesson A
(Lesson 31)

The pual
Irreal conditions

Week 16, lesson B
(Lesson 32)

The hitpael

Week 17, lesson A
(Lesson 33)

I-, II-, and III-guttural roots

Week 17, lesson B
(Lesson 34)
III- roots
Doubly weak roots

Week 18, lesson A
(Lesson 35)

III- (originally /) roots
Petuha/setuma

Week 18, lesson B
(Lesson 36)

I- roots
Paragogic
Coursework 6 Coursework 6 Coursework 6 Coursework 6 (Units (Units (Units (Units - -- -36 36 36 36*

Week 19, lesson A
(Lesson 37)

I- roots
Hapax legomena

Week 19, lesson B
(Lesson 38)

I-/ roots

Week 20, lesson A
(Lesson 39)

Hollow roots
The qal passive

Week 20, lesson B
(Lesson 40)

Geminate roots
Minor stems
Coursework 7 Coursework 7 Coursework 7 Coursework 7 (Units 37 (Units 37 (Units 37 (Units 37- -- -40) 40) 40) 40)*

Coursework assignments Coursework assignments Coursework assignments Coursework assignments

These seven assignments can be used as in-class tests or discussion papers, or handed out
as take-home coursework. Each assignment covers a range of topics introduced in the
indicated units of the textbook.

Introductory Biblical Hebrew

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Introductory Biblical Hebrew

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ROUTLEDGE INTRODUCTORY COURSE IN BIBLICAL HEBREW ROUTLEDGE INTRODUCTORY COURSE IN BIBLICAL HEBREW ROUTLEDGE INTRODUCTORY COURSE IN BIBLICAL HEBREW

ROUTLEDGE INTRODUCTORY COURSE IN BIBLICAL HEBREW

me [for] seven years.

(qal yiqtol 1cs . . . give; see Unit 37)

(qal yiqtol 2ms . . . serve)

See Coursework assignments section of website

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