An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax

an attributive adjective (i.e., with the article and after its head; ## 1–2) or like a
predicate adjective (i.e., anarthrous and preceding its head; ## 3–5).
1. הזֶּ ה ַ רוֹדּבּ ַ in this generation
2.
3.
4.
׃הזֶּ ה ַ לוֹדגָּ ה ַ יוֹגּ ַ
ה ֶשֹׁמ ה ֶ
5. הז ֶ םידִּ ְשׂ ַכּ ץרֶ א ֶ֫
ןהֵ ם ָעה ָ
Gen 7:1
ה this great nation
Deut 4:6
ז this Moses
Exod 32:1
ךְתֵ ָמוֹק תא ֹ ז this stature of yours
Cant 7:8
Look at the land of the Babylonians, this people.
Isa 23:13
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The latter construction occurs usually, but not exclusively (# 5), with proper
names (# 3) or with nouns bearing a pronominal suffix (# 4). Finally, with nouns
determined by a pronominal suffix, the attributive demonstrative may show a mixture
of these two constructions, appearing after its head word but without the article (## 6–
8). It may be construed as an apposition in such cases.
6. ה ֶלּא ֵ֫
יתֹתֹא ַ these (things), miraculous signs of mine
7.
תאז יתִ ָע ֻב ְשּׁ ִ
8. וּנר֫ ֵ ָבדּ־ת ְ א ֶ ידי ִ גִּ֫ תּ־ם ַ אִ וְ
ה֑ ז ֶ
Exod 10:1
מ from this, my oath
Gen 24:8
If you tell this (thing, the) deed of ours…
Josh 2:20
17.4.2 Simple Demonstrative Uses
a הז can be used in any situation where an object is to be pointed out, whether in
reality or imagination. This deictic force informs all its uses, though the relationship
between the deixis and the context may vary.
b A simple deictic force is evident in various expressions of time (cf. English ‘Do it
this minute’).
1.
2. ר ֶשׁ א ֲ םוֹיּה ַ הז ֶ י ִכּ םוּק
ארָ סי ְ ס־ת ִ א ֶ הוהי ןתַ ָנ
ךָדָי ֶ֫ בְּ
הזֶּ ה ַ ד ֵעוֹמּלַ by this time
Gen 17:21
Go—this is the day YHWH has given Sisera into your
hands.
Judg 4:14