ARLINGTON BAPTIST COLLEGE HEBREW STUDY TOOLS LNG 2304

Section 3: Hebrew Prepositions and Adjectives

Hebrew Prepositions

The study of prepositions in Hebrew is straightforward and uncomplicated. Hebrew prepositions function like English prepositions. They are used to describe relationships between words. In Hebrew there are three types of prepositions to be studied: a. Independent Prepositions b. Maqqef Prepositions c. Inseperable Prepositions

Independent Prepositions The majority of Hebrew prepositions stand alone, and, for this reason, are called independent. This is just like the English preposition. Bibleworks Prepositions can be spatial or temporal as well as describe other relationships. 5.0™ will identify these independent prepositions for you.

Maqqef Prepositions Prepositions of this type are always joined to their objects by a raised horizontal stroke called a Maqqef. Among the most common of these are:

Maqqef Prepositions Hebrew Preposition Translation -lu^ on, upon, concerning -la# to, toward -du^ until, as far as -/m! from

Maqqef Preposition Example of a Maqqef preposition attached to a word: /b#a#h*-lu upon the stone

Inseparable Prepositions These prepositions are prefixed directly to their objects and never occur independently. In other words, they are inseperable from their objects. There are only three inseperable prepositions to be learned:

Inseparable Prepositions Hebrew Preposition Translation B= in, by, with l= to, for K= like, as, according to

Sign of the Direct Object In Hebrew prose, definite direct objects are usually marked with either a -ta# or The direct object is the word that receives the action of the verb. For example: In the sentence, “God created the earth,” the word “earth” is the direct object of the verb “created.” The direct object “earth” is also a definite direct object because it has the definite article, “the earth.”

Hebrew Adjectives

Hebrew adjectives function just like English adjectives. They are used to modify, describe, characterize or classify nouns. In other words, adjectives modify nouns with a certain amount of increased specificity. For example, the noun “king” can be modified by any number of different adjectives such as “righteous king” or “wicked king.” Whatever you want to say about a king, you can say it with adjectives.

Hebrew Adjectives Hebrew adjectives inflect (change their form) in order to indicate gender and number. They are inflected in four forms. The good news is that the inflection endings for adjectives are the same endings that we have learned for nouns.

The Use of Adjectives UseExample Attributive “good” student Predicative The student is “good” Substantive The good one

Adjectives The lexical form of a Hebrew adjective is always the masculine singular form.

Any Questions??

Your Homework Continue to work on memorizing the Hebrew Alphabet and Vowel Pointings Replicate the Hebrew Noun Chart Be able to replicate the Maqqef Preposition Chart Be able to replicate the Inseparable Preposition Chart Be able to write out both forms of the Sign of the Direct Object Be able to replicate the Use of Adjectives Chart Review for Quiz 2

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