Questions tagged [hebrew]
The language in which the Jewish Scriptures (Tanakh) -- or the "Old Testament" in Christian Bibles -- were written.
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(Deuteronomy 6:5) The Shema, Command, Statement, or something else?
I am reading the Hebrew text of Deuteronomy 6:5. This is the famous "commandment" to love God with all your heart/soul/strength. Jesus quotes it, Jews still say it nightly at bedtime and ...
2
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1answer
80 views
Translating forms of Yirah as Fear or Seeing
I have heard numerous rabbis connect verses about the fear of God to seeing God.
This always hinges on the fact that some of the conjugations of yirah (fear) look the same as some of the conjugations ...
4
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2answers
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In Genesis 1 does the Hebrew say “a first day” or “the first day”?
"I recently looked at a bible where it says in Genesis creation account...And the evening and the morning were A first day."
In the original language, is it meant to be "A" or &...
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(Song of Songs 2:7) Hebrew Question about Gender of Subject and Object
I am having some challenges interpreting Song of Songs 2:7 in terms of verb-subject-object gender matching.
The verse reads (KJV):
I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the ...
6
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2answers
48 views
Psalm 139:16 all my days “are” or “will be” written?
I am looking at Psalm 139:16 which the NRSV translates as:
In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed.
But the "were written" is ...
2
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1answer
35 views
Does Micah 6:8 refer to Jeremiah 9:24 based on the words חֶ֛סֶד מִשְׁפָּ֥ט וּצְדָקָ֖ה ? If so, what does it imply?
One doesn't see the connection in the English translations. These three Hebrew words חֶ֛סֶד מִשְׁפָּ֥ט וּצְדָקָ֖ה are the same in these two verse, except צְדָקָ֖ה is in its plural form in Micah 6:5, ...
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Did the men of Solomon's time preferred lighter skin women?
Song of Solomon 1:5 I am dark, yet lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem,
like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon.
6 Do not stare because I am dark,
for the sun has gazed upon me.
My mother’s ...
4
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1answer
41 views
What is the meaning of “And who is their father?” in 1 Samuel 10:12?
1 Samuel 10:9 As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day. 10When he and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the ...
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2answers
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If mmzr (ממזר) – in Deu 23:3 (MT) - is related with an an illegitimate union, why a person born from this union must be excluded?
Since we know (from the Bible) God is not partial, and that He does not charge a son with the sin of his father, how this is in harmony with the exclusion of people born from an illegitimate (sexual) ...
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Why did the Egyptians view shepherds as detestable and why did they refuse to eat with the Hebrews?
Why would the Egyptians refuse to eat with the Hebrew people? The first mention of this is in Genesis 43:32 when Joseph’s brothers first come to Egypt. The Egyptians could not eat with Joseph (a ...
2
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1answer
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Why do English translations interpret the Ivri imperative “SOS” (שׂוֹשׂ) / “Rejoice!” as the English adverb “greatly” in Isaiah 61:10?
In the Ivri (עִבְרִי) / Hebrew (ἑβραιου) text of [Isaiah 61:10] we read Rejoice twice as an imperative then in 1ps future tense :
"SOS" (Rejoice!, שׂוֹשׂ),
"ASIYS" (I-will Rejoice, ...
3
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1answer
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Is there a first person verb with a plural subject in Hebrew?
I am aware of singular verbs with plural subjects in the third person, masculine, singular. Such as Exodus 4:29, but I am wondering if there is a 1cs that has a plural subject?
Feel free to add or ...
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What does Proverbs 23:10 mean regarding the prohibited entry in “Fields of Orphans”?
In the Ivri (עִבְרִי) / Hebrew (ἑβραιου) text of Proverbs 23:10, we find a strange warning.
Proverbs 23:10 [MT
"Do not remove an ancient boundary, and do not enter the fields of the orphans" ...
2
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1answer
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Some Isaiah 61:8 translations use phrase “burnt offering” as opposed to “wrong”/“wrongdoing”. Therefore, what does Hebrew WLC version say?
It's big difference if some bible translations say:
the burnt offering
as opposed to
wrong/wrongdoing
Could some please read and evaluate the corresponding Hebrew WLC version, and give and elaborate ...
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1answer
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Who is God referencing in 1 Chronicles 17:13?
Regarding the Ivri (עִבְרִי) / Hebrew (ἑβραιου) text of 1 Chronicles 17:13 - God reveals a message about 2 individuals to the prophet Nathan (Natan, נָתָ֖ן).
1 Chronicles 17:13 [MT]
"I shall be to ...
4
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2answers
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BDB under אֹ֣הֶל uses the structure of Ex. 39:32 to support מִשְׁכַּ֖ן and אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ refers to separate terms. How does Hebrew support this?
Reference ( אֹ֣הֶל, BDB, 1977 ed., p.14): וַתֵּ֕כֶל כָּל־עֲבֹדַ֕ת מִשְׁכַּ֖ן אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד , (Ex 39:32, BHSa). Ex 39:32; 40:2, 6, 29, cf. 1 Ch 6:17 (BDB) all have the same structure, and BDB ...
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1answer
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What is the correct inflection of aw-bad (work/serve/till) in Genesis 2:5?
I have found someone asserting that the Hebraic structure of Genesis 2:5
When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up—for the LORD God had not ...
3
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2answers
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What is meant by Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD?
What is meant by...
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. (Ezr 7:10)
I am specifically interested to understand ...
2
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1answer
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“Thousands” or “the thousandth generation” in Exodus 20:6?
Exodus 20:6 declares God's mercy to "thousands" or to "the thousandth generation" -- see Bible Gateway for a list of the various translations. From what I can see, early versions ...
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2answers
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Does the YLT translate Genesis 4:4 accurately?
ד וְהֶבֶל הֵבִיא גַם-הוּא מִבְּכֹרוֹת צֹאנוֹ, וּמֵחֶלְבֵהֶן; וַיִּשַׁע יְהוָה, אֶל-הֶבֶל וְאֶל-מִנְחָתוֹ.
Genesis 4:4 YLT
4 and Abel, he hath brought, he also, from the female firstlings of his flock,...
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1answer
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« the » edges - Lv 19:27
Why did all translators I could find translate Lv 19:27 with « the edges » and not with « edges » without the « the » ? Because I don’t see in the Hebrew text the ה for « the » about edges.
Thanks.
3
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1answer
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What is the proper understanding of the phrase מִפְעָלָיו מֵאָֽז, “works of old” in Proverbs?
The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
(Proverbs 8:22 KJV)
יְֽהוָה קָנָנִי רֵאשִׁית דַּרְכֹּו קֶדֶם מִפְעָלָיו מֵאָֽז
It is common to understand "works of ...
3
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1answer
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Does the hebrew bible have a way to indicate a woman that is a wife rather than a concubine?
Does the hebrew bible have a way to indicate a woman that is of higher status partner(wife) rather than a concubine?
For example, there's the word Pilegesh (concubine)
Nashim, is plural of Isha , so ...
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1answer
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What's the significance between, “Let the WATERS bring…the moving creature” (Gn 1:20) and “Let the EARTH bring…the living creature” (Gn 1:24)?
הַמַּ֔יִם שֶׁ֖רֶץ נֶ֣פֶשׁ חַיָּ֑ה (Gen 1:20)
תֹּוצֵ֨א הָאָ֜רֶץ נֶ֤פֶשׁ חַיָּה֙ (Gen 1:24)
I understand that fowls and fish come from the waters and that land animals come from the earth. It seems ...
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1answer
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Which is the correct translation of Isaiah 63:11?
The MT for Isaiah 63:11 is:
וַיִּזְכֹּר יְמֵי-עוֹלָם, מֹשֶׁה עַמּוֹ; אַיֵּה הַמַּעֲלֵם מִיָּם, אֵת רֹעֵי צֹאנוֹ--אַיֵּה הַשָּׂם בְּקִרְבּוֹ, אֶת-רוּחַ קָדְשׁוֹ
Isaiah 63:11 NASB
Then His people ...
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Does DSS version of Psalm 119:65 reveal Masoretes abbreviated original text?
Besides revealing the ancient Hebrew Name of YHVH from 30 AD, does the DSS version of [Psalm 119:65] prove the original Hebrew suffix “Your” (Kha) was originally written with a combined ‘Kaf-Hei’ ...
5
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2answers
85 views
Is the translation 'the earth abideth for ever' accurate (Ecclesiastes 1:4)?
Ecclesiastes 1:4 :
One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever. [KJV]
A generation is going, and a generation is coming, and the earth to the age is ...
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0answers
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Genesis 17:24 and 17:26 — Who circumcised Abraham?
In Genesis 17, it is written,
24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 26 That very same day Abraham was circumcised, and his son Ishmael; NKJV, ©...
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3answers
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Is Psalm 56:12 describing a 2-way agreement(or vow) between God and the author of said Psalm?
Psalm 56:11-12 (NASB)
11 In God I have put my [a]trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man
do to me? 12 Your vows are binding upon me, O God; I will render thank
offerings to You.
Psalm 56:11-12 (...
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2answers
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Could Adam's Rib be an extended metaphor for the womb? [closed]
I am curious from reading the mehanical translation of Genesis (Jeff A Benner,) if the rib taken from Adam could be interpreted as the womb, and any solid information which supports or contradicts.
I ...
2
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1answer
47 views
Meaningless vs eternity in Ecclesiastes, are they opposites?
Ecclesiastes 1:2 "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless."
Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He ...
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3answers
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Malachi 3:10 “meat” vs “prey”?
Can "meat" in Malachi 3:10 KJV refer to "prey"? Specifically, the Hebrew word in question is "טֶ֨רֶף֙". The HLOT and BDB lexicons refer to the word meaning both "...
3
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4answers
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Can the Ten Commandments be interpreted as declarative?
There is a variation in how John 14:15 is translated:
"If you love me, you will keep my commandments." ESV
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." NASB
“If you love me, keep ...
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1answer
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Translation of Exodus 3:12
I realise that this is very improbable but I thought that I might as well ask it.
Exodus 3:12:
He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you ...
2
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2answers
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Were the teraphim (household gods) Rachel stole from Laban like a deed to his property?
While there are several questions related to this occurrence in Gen. 31:19, none seem to mention this as even possible. It was also not mentioned in a resent commentary I read. That the teraphim ...
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3answers
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Why does the Hebrew switch in Genesis 12:3 for the same English translated word curse?
Upon closer reading of the text in the Hebrew passage the same translated word in English to curse is actually two different words in the Hebrew with two different root meanings.
What does each word ...
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0answers
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GENESIS 4:3-4 - What type of offering? [closed]
There were various offerings throughout the Old Testament. In the book of Job, we see burnt offerings to cover ‘sins’. During the wilderness, these were defined.
But, what type of offering were Cain ...
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2answers
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How to translate Zechariah 14:6?
Zechariah 14:6 On that day there shall be no light,
יְקָר֖וֹת
וְקִפָּאֽוֹן׃
How to translate the last two Hebrew words?
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Why does the KJV translate בָּאֲפֵ֖ר as ashes in 1 Kings 20:38
וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙ הַנָּבִ֔יא וַיַּעֲמֹ֥ד לַמֶּ֖לֶךְ עַל־הַדָּ֑רֶךְ וַיִּתְחַפֵּ֥שׂ בָּאֲפֵ֖ר עַל־עֵינָֽיו׃
1 Kings 20:38 KJV
38 So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and disguised ...
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1answer
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(Genesis 4:5) Was Cain Angry? Hebrew
I'm reading through the Hebrew for Genesis 4. I am now really confused about what is happening when God does not gaze at Cain's offering and I was wondering if any of the Hebrew experts here can help....
3
votes
1answer
36 views
Why did the Elders tell King Ahab not to agree to Ben-Haddad, King of Syria second command?
1 Kings 20:4
And the king of Israel answered and said, “My lord, O king, just as you say, I and all that I have are yours.”
1 Kings 20:7-8
7 So the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, ...
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0answers
48 views
Meaning of God's thought concerning Abraham in Genesis 18:19
Genesis 18:19
For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham ...
2
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1answer
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Exodus 3:17 and Judges 2:1 - the Validity of the Vav-Conversive
In Exodus 3:17, we find the phrase אַעֲלֶה אֶתְכֶם (aʿaleh etkhem). The word אַעֲלֶה is a verb conjugated from the verb עָלָה in the imperfect aspect, as indicated by the prefixed א. Reviewing the ...
2
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0answers
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Simon the leper and Simon the Pharisee are one person and Mary of Bethany is not the woman of ill-repute with alabaster jar [closed]
The Hebrew Roots Bible denotes Simon in these events of the women anointing Jesus as Simon the potter. In Aramaic the name Simon is Shimeon for the Pharisee and for the potter. Is it possible that ...
5
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4answers
603 views
Who does the deceiving in Ezekiel 14:9?
This is inspired by Does God command someone to do something against His laws?
English Standard Version Ezekiel 14:91
And if the prophet is deceived and speaks a word, I, the LORD, have deceived that ...
1
vote
2answers
206 views
Can you help me read this Hebrew text? [closed]
I need to read the text in the picture below. I know it's from the Old Testament, but I can't read the characters correctly. It would be nice if someone can help out with this.
2
votes
1answer
29 views
Hebrew Ben Chayyim Second Rabbinic Bible is missing Joshua 6:9 to 7:1
I have a copy of the Hebrew Ben Chayyim Second Rabbinic Bible which was scanned and in the book of Joshua it is missing Joshua 6:9 to 7:1.
It is obviously a mistake and not intentional because the ...
3
votes
2answers
67 views
What does הרקיע mean in Genesis 1? [duplicate]
In Genesis 1, God divides the waters from the firmament (הרקיע) What does firmament mean? Does it simply mean sky, as in the blue dome of air above us?
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2answers
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Does ἄγγελος κυρίου in the NT (e.g. Acts 12:7) refer to the angel of the LORD in the OT?
Does ἄγγελος κυρίου in the NT (e.g. Acts 12:7) refer to the angel of the LORD in the OT?
An example of Apollonius Corollary. is ἄγγελος κυρίου (angel of the Lord) at Acts 12:7.
Wallace promotes the ...
3
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2answers
399 views
Genesis 5:2, grammatically, how does a plural pronoun refer to a singular noun?
Genesis 5:2 (DRB):
He created them male and female; and blessed them: and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.
How does the plural pronoun refer to singular noun (called ...
