All Questions
57 questions
25
votes
6
answers
2k
views
21
votes
5
answers
791
views
What is the nature of the numeral "ashtei-asar" (11)?
What is the nature of the numeral ashtei-asar (meaning 11) as in (BeMidbar 29:20, Parashat Pinchas):
וּבַיּוֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁי פָּרִים עַשְׁתֵּי-עָשָׂר
What is the basic word? Is this using ...
- 28.4k
21
votes
6
answers
7k
views
Difference between אֲנִי and אָנֹכִי
Throughout the Tanakh, I have come across אֲנִי (ʾani) and אָנֹכִי (ʾanokhi) many times, which both mean "I". What is the difference between the two words in Tanakh?
- 3,987
18
votes
3
answers
895
views
First-Temple-Era names of the Hebrew months?
The Chumash refers to the months simply as "the first", "the second", and so on. Today we know them by their Babylonian names (Nisan, Iyar ...) Occasionally the Prophets from the First-Temple Era use ...
- 136k
17
votes
5
answers
6k
views
Is Hebrew the mother of all languages spoken today in the world?
I often wonder what language Adam, Seth, Noah and Abraham (may peace and blessings be upon them) used to speak. What was their native tongue? Was it classical Hebrew? If yes, then would it be right to ...
- 911
15
votes
3
answers
768
views
Why is Hebrew Called "Jewish" in the Bible?
We see that in most of the Bible, the Jews are called "בני ישראל/Israelites"; only in later books are they called "יהודים/Jews" (e.g. Esther 2:5, Zechariah 8:23), after the loss of the 10 tribes. ...
- 2,863
14
votes
4
answers
375
views
In the Bible, why did robbers bother tunneling into houses to rob them?
Exodus 22:1 speaks about the robber who was found "tunnelling in" to someone's house (vis-a-vis self-defense). Is that just a figure of speech, or did they actually go to that much trouble? (What ...
- 136k
11
votes
2
answers
1k
views
What exactly does "Lord of Hosts" (צְבָאוֹת) mean?
When I think of the Judaism, I don't think of Angelic armies attacking the armies of evil directly. G-d usually works in far more subtle ways than this, e.g. appearing as a burning bush to motivate ...
- 211
10
votes
1
answer
265
views
Proper Reading of the Word זועה
The word זועה appears six times in tanach:
Yeshayahu 28:19
Yirmiyahu 15:4
Yirmiyahu 24:9
Yirmiyahu 29:18
Yirmiyahu 34:17
Divrei Hayamim II 29:8
In each one of these instances except the first, the ...
- 2,542
9
votes
2
answers
633
views
Are there any recordings of the Tanakh read or chanted according to reconstructed Ancient Hebrew pronunciation?
I'm looking for audio recordings of the Tanakh, but without modern or Ashkenazi Hebrew pronunciations - rather an attempt to recreate what Ancient (and Archaic) Hebrew actually sounded like.
I'm also ...
- 91
8
votes
3
answers
633
views
Meaning of ח-ל-צ
Words of the root חלצ seem to have contradictory meanings. On the one hand it is used in the sense of "removing," as in בית חלוץ הנעל and כי חלצת נפשי ממות. On the other hand, warriors are called ...
- 21.2k
8
votes
2
answers
258
views
Why are several Biblical characters called "man of the Lord" (Ish HaElokim), but no one in the Bible is ever "man of God" (Ish Hashem)?
Ramban makes this observation (Deut. 33:1), and says "anyone with a good intellect" can figure out the reason. Okay I'm stumped ... help me out here please?
- 136k
8
votes
2
answers
425
views
Are there any studies that compare Biblical Hebrew to modern Hebrew? [closed]
(I am a Hebrew speaker) When reading the Bible, one encounters sometimes words whose meaning in modern Hebrew clearly does not correspond to what was meant in the text (in Kohelet for example, "מסכן" ...
- 215
7
votes
2
answers
775
views
How to apply the Masoretic note, "2x, once plene and once defectively" to Ruth 1:1?
In Ruth 1:1, there is a Masoretic note on שְׁפֹט which I do not understand:
The picture is a little unclear, but the note says (I have highlighted the letters with a dot above them):
ב חד מל וחד חס
...
- 181
7
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Silent aleph (no, I mean really silent)
Please explain what is going on with the letter Aleph in certain places in Tanakh (e.g. the second to last word of Devarim 3:12, the first word of Tehillim 34:10), where the Aleph contributes neither ...
- 4,008
7
votes
2
answers
3k
views
What's the difference in Biblical Hebrew between "zahav" and "paz"?
What's the difference in Biblical Hebrew between "zahav" and "paz"? Artscroll calls one "gold", the other "fine gold." Any other distinctions?
- 136k
7
votes
2
answers
6k
views
According to Jewish sources: which language came first, Hebrew or Aramaic?
I've heard that Aramaic and Hebrew are similar languages in vocabulary, syntax, and structure. There is, however, some debate about which is the older, or original, base language. After a bit of ...
- 257
7
votes
1
answer
347
views
Root of the name Aharon
What is the etymology of the name Aharon? The only serious site I've found that proposes an etymology is this, but I'm hoping for a more classical source, i.e. Chazal or Rishonim.
- 1,972
6
votes
2
answers
394
views
why does Ruth 1:8 use עמדי instead of עמי?
Ruth 1:8 says:
ח וַתֹּאמֶר נָעֳמִי, לִשְׁתֵּי כַלֹּתֶיהָ, לֵכְנָה שֹּׁבְנָה, אִשָּׁה לְבֵית אִמָּהּ; יעשה (יַעַשׂ) יְהוָה עִמָּכֶם חֶסֶד, כַּאֲשֶׁר עֲשִׂיתֶם עִם-הַמֵּתִים וְעִמָּדִי.
8 And Naomi ...
- 121
6
votes
1
answer
330
views
Why does the prefix She- appear in only Tehillim, Shir Hashirim, and Koheles?
The prefix שֶׁ is very common in Mishnaic and Modern Hebrew, but in Tanakh appear rarely, except in Tehillim, Shir Hashirim, and Koheles, where it is all over the place. Why are these books the only ...
- 8,313
5
votes
4
answers
8k
views
What does the Bible mean by "those that urinate against the wall" in I Samuel 25:22?
What does the Bible mean by "those that urinate against the wall" in I Samuel 25:22?
There are different translations for the phrase; what is the Hebrew, what does it really mean?
- 136k
5
votes
3
answers
488
views
Does the word toad (קרפדה) appear in tanach?
Does the word toad (קרפדה) appear in Tanach?
Toad is קרפדה (karpada) in Hebrew.
Toad is crapaud in French.
The two words have the same 4 consonants in the same order, which does not seem to be by ...
- 153
5
votes
2
answers
411
views
Common language and the language of the Scripture used in 1st century BCE?
I read from the internet where most articles say:
A. The common language used by the Jews around 1st century BCE to (at least) the beginning of 1st century CE was Greek and the Scripture they use is ...
- 379
5
votes
1
answer
216
views
Mikraos Gedolos set of the entire Tanakh?
I will start by saying that I know nothing and must admit I was raised Christian. I had some curiosity as to why Christians are Christian when our guy that we are supposed to imitate and be like told ...
- 53
5
votes
2
answers
762
views
Unexpected Dagesh in Reish
I learned that a rule of Dageshim is that gutteral letters (אהחע''ר) reject dageshim.
My question is why do we find 17 reishs (1 Samuel 1:6, 1 Samuel 10:24, 1 Samuel 17:25, 2 Kings 6:32, Jeremiah 39:...
- 3,692
4
votes
5
answers
7k
views
What is the meaning of 'Tishbi' in 'Eliyahu haTishbi'?
I've heard the theory that it's a place, but have never heard of a place with a similar name...
- 787
4
votes
3
answers
381
views
Is the Hebrew vocabulary used in the Tanakh/(other recognized Hebrew books) the same as the what is considered Hebrew today? [closed]
There are many Hebrew resources available in the mainstream world, i.e. Webster's, Google, etc. Is the Hebrew used in the Tanakh/(other recognized Hebrew books, i.e. the Mishna, Rambam, etc.) ...
- 1,224
4
votes
4
answers
3k
views
best Hebrew-English Tanakh in printed form, interlinear if possible?
I've been using the Artscroll Interlinear series to read the Torah and it's helping me make a lot of progress in finally learning Tanakh Hebrew. But outside of the five scrolls and the psalms, ...
- 41
4
votes
2
answers
244
views
כּלּה kallâh "bride, spouse" < כּלל kâlal "to make perfect"?
Reading Strong's Real Hebrew dictionary, I discovered that כּלּה kallâh "bride, spouse" < כּלל kâlal "to make perfect". What does a bride have to do with perfection?
cf. Hebrew ...
- 150
3
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Does anyone know of a public domain recording of Tanakh chapters or verses?
The question title explains it all -- I'm looking for a public domain audio recording of the Tanakh. For example, these people have recorded Genesis:
http://librivox.org/the-bible-the-book-of-genesis/...
- 489
3
votes
2
answers
134
views
איש אחד What does the Echad refer to and where else in the Tanch is it found?
In Shmuel Aleph Perek Aleph Elkana is refered to as Ish Echad before his name is given. The Midrash, according to Meam Loez, says that the Echad means Singular or Special. I was wondering where else ...
- 7,448
3
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Which pasuk in Tanach has the most letters?
I'm attempting to build a database with every pasuk in Tanach, I'm trying to determine the size of the varchar needed for this. Which pasuk is this and how many letters does it have?
- 131
3
votes
3
answers
181
views
Is there a single syntactic class "פעיל" in Biblical Hebrew?
Is there a unique class of Biblical Hebrew words of the form "פעיל"?Is the putative class of Biblical Hebrew words strictly a class of nouns or adjectives?If not, is it strictly divisible into two ...
- 24k
3
votes
1
answer
93
views
Is there an online source for clipped verb forms?
It is wonderful to have pealim.com to look up verb forms, but as far as I know, it does not include clipped forms. Is there any online source that allows looking up clipped forms, or at least a site ...
- 59
3
votes
1
answer
168
views
What books/texts for Modern Hebrew
Which of these books/texts would be possible to read when you know only Modern Hebrew?
Kizur Shulchan Aruch
Shulchan Aruch
Mishnah Berurah
Mishnah
Babylonian Talmud
Jerusalem Talmud
Comments by:
...
- 161
2
votes
4
answers
5k
views
Most original form of the Hebrew Bible/Tanach
Not sure if they are the same thing (the Hebrew Bible and the Tanach). I read in this link that "there are many different Jewish translations of the Hebrew Bible". This kind of confuses me because I ...
- 385
2
votes
2
answers
217
views
Why does the book (Megillah) of Esther never use the Hebrew word "armon" for palace?
It talks about the capital and "the king's house", but never uses the Hebrew word for "palace", "armon", as appears in Psalms and elsewhere. (Or does it appear and I missed it?) Why not?
- 136k
2
votes
1
answer
74
views
What are the roots for the Qere reading of the last word of Psalm 123?
The last word of Psalm 123 is לגאיונים, but the Masoretes read לִגְאֵי יוֹנִים. What was their intended meaning? The first word is apparently גֵּאָה, but what is the second word? The plural of יוֹנָה ...
- 320
2
votes
1
answer
128
views
What does the word "Mevoar" mean in "NaKh Mevoar"?
I often see books titled "NaKh Mevoar" or "Rashi Mevoar". What does the word "Mevoar" mean?
- 1,550
2
votes
1
answer
291
views
Why is the word for silver in Torah the same word for money? [closed]
Is there a reason why the Hebrew word for silver is the same word for money in Hebrew?
2
votes
1
answer
575
views
Meaning of סוף (suf) = weed/reed vs edge/end
What is the original meaning of the word
סף
and its cognate
סוף
?
We know that סף in the Bible means edge or threshold.
But why does its cognate סוף
carry the meaning of
weed or reed
most of the time ...
- 147
2
votes
0
answers
173
views
Does ehad mean "one" or "first" when used together with "rishon"?
How should ehad be translated in this phrase and why?
וְשַׂ֣ר׀ מַלְכ֣וּת פָּרַ֗ס עֹמֵ֤ד לְנֶגְדִּי֙ עֶשְׂרִ֣ים וְאֶחָ֣ד י֔וֹם וְהִנֵּ֣ה מִֽיכָאֵ֗ל אַחַ֛ד הַשָּׂרִ֥ים הָרִאשֹׁנִ֖ים בָּ֣א לְעָזְרֵ֑נִי ...
- 21
2
votes
0
answers
52
views
Where can I find how many roots the author needs to compose for each book of the Tenach
For example: I am reading now the book of Joshua in Hebrew. It looks to me quite simple language. The author uses often the same terms. Poetry and wisdom-litterature is much more complex. My ...
2
votes
0
answers
171
views
Usage of final nun with kamatz
Frequently, in Tanac"h, the 3rd person female plural uses an end nun with a kamatz ןָ rather than nun-heh נָה.
Is there any reasoning of preference of one usage vs. the other?
- 71.5k
2
votes
3
answers
321
views
Are Biblical Hebrew words for “sister” & “bride” interchangeable? Can “sister” mean “friend”?
Paul M. Conner, O.P., Celibate Love p. 23 (PDF p. 27), claims:
In Hebrew the terms "sister" and "bride" do not always have literal application. Often they are interchangeable. ...
- 150
1
vote
3
answers
8k
views
What does Psalm 82 mean? [closed]
6 I -- I have said, 'Gods ye are, And sons of the Most High -- all of you,
http://yltbible.com/psalms/82.htm
So how many gods are there? Who are "you" here? Are we all gods?
Here is the context. ...
- 4,383
1
vote
2
answers
279
views
Different types of giants in Tanach
What's the difference between the ענקים and the רפאים of Tanakh? Both seem to be very large people. Is one a subset of the other?
Some Sources: Bamidbar 13:33 and Rashi there, Devarim 3:11
- 465
1
vote
4
answers
339
views
The tribe and the stick
Is there a connection of definition between the two words used for "tribe" - מטה and שבט which both mean "stick" or "rod"? If so, why is the term "rod" used to refer to a tribe?
Examples:
שבט - ...
- 71.5k
1
vote
2
answers
3k
views
hebrew names for girl child
I want to name my new born baby girl as Nessa which means miracle but want to know Which verse in the Hebrew bible mentions the word Nessa
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
228
views
Catholic interested in learning about Judaism ✡️ & learning Hebrew to better understand the difference between the Bible & the Torah 🙏
I don’t know much about the Jewish Faith. During my younger years I attended Catholic School until 10th grade. Recently I have become stronger Spiritually, I’ve always had a strong curiousity about ...
- 11