Classical · Biblical Hebrew
Pin down the definite article, the conjunction ו, and adjective agreement — the grammar of the noun phrase.
Ch. 7 — The Definite ArticleCh. 8 — The Conjunction; Adjectives
Core concepts · 6
- There is no indefinite article: מַיִם = 'water/waters', הַמַּיִם = 'the waters'.
- The article is normally הַ + daghesh forte in the next letter; before gutturals it lengthens to הָ or הֶ (no doubling possible).
- The conjunction is וְ, but becomes וּ before בומ"פ and before a shewa, and וַ in some forms.
- Attributive adjectives follow the noun and agree in gender, number AND definiteness: הָאִישׁ הַטּוֹב = 'the good man'.
- Predicative adjectives drop the article and usually precede: טוֹב הָאִישׁ = 'the man is good'.
- The present tense of 'to be' is unexpressed — Harrison's nominal sentence IS your zero-verb sentence.
Vocabulary & signs · tap a word to hear, expand for how to say it
man
say: ʾîsh
woman (f.)
say: ʾishshâ
good
say: ṭôbh
great
say: gādhôl
king
say: melekh
darkness
say: ḥōshekh
Exercises · answer in the app
Exercise 1 / 6
What does this mean?
Bridge to this week
This is the systematic backbone of your Week 3–4 nominal sentences: Harrison's טוֹב הָאִישׁ ('the man is good') is the same verbless copula you build, now with exact rules for ה, ו and agreement.
Teach Yourself Hebrew — R. K. Harrison (E.U.P.)
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Quick check · 1 / 4