An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax

Chap. 15). Another influence may be ט ַע ְמ ‘little’ and לֹכּ ‘all,’ which, being
substantives involving quantity, also precede the noun. 7
8.
9.
7. . . . םיבִּ ר ַ םיגִ וָּ דַ ְל
םידָיּ ִ ַצ םיבִּ רַ ְל
ה ָליפּ֑ ִ֫
ה ִ םי ִל ָלח ֲ םיבִּ ַ
לִיח ֑֫ ָ וּשׂ ָע ֫ תוֹנ ָבּ תוֹבּ ַ
many fishermen…many hunters
Jer 16:16
ר Many victims she has brought down.
Prov 7:26
ר Many women do noble things.
Prov 31:29
With בר in the masculine singular, it is difficult to decide whether it is an
attributive adjective preceding its noun or a nominal use of the adjective. 8
10.
ב ֶשׁ ק־ב ָ֫ רַ great attention
Isa 21:7
c Some attributive adjectives, such as the numerals, רחֵ א ַ ‘another,’ and םיבִּ ר ַ ‘many,’
are definite in themselves and may dispense with the article.
11. דחָ א ֶ שׁאֹ רהָ one company
1 Sam 13:17
12. דחָ א ֶ ם ֶכיחִ אֲ
one brother of yours 9
13.
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14.
15.
םִינ ַ֫
ְשׁ םידוּמּ ִ ַע ָ
רחֵ א ַ ם ֶכיחִ ֲ
םיבִּ ר ַ םִיוֹגּ ַ
Gen 42:19
ה the two pillars
2 Kgs 25:16
א your other brother 10
Gen 43:14
ה many nations
Ezek 39:27
d Sometimes the attributive adjective is definite and the noun indefinite, especially
with numerals (## 16–19; see 15.2.6), with certain quasi-technical terms referring to
7
So Joüon, who also alludes to possible Aramaic influence and to a parallel to
appositional constructions; see §141b / p. 435 n. 2.
8
The feminine singular construct is not ambiguous in this way; cf. rabbat ḥel˒ātāh
‘the greatness of its rust, its thick rust,’ Ezek 24:12.
9
The same phrase with the article in an otherwise close repetition in Gen 42:33.
10
The Samaritan Pentateuch, which tends to normalize Hebrew grammar, has the
article on the adjective. See, too, n. 12.