Basic Hebrew Word Structure
Hebrew is letters, each with their own meaning, linked together to form words that are indicative of a function. The functions are often attributed to things that are most characteristic of that function.
Reading from the bottom up, this is an example of how Hebrew words are formed.
Here’s another example… Read from the bottom up!
Notice that these are not definitions, but functions that can be applied to several different things. Each Hebrew word defines a function of something or someone, rather than the thing itself. However, English translators have assigned “definitions” to certain words, which we find doesn’t always apply. Therefore, most Hebrew words have several possible translations. It’s not that the Hebrew word has several meanings, but that its one function can apply to different things depending on context.
For example; knowing that a mother is called אם in the Hebrew language, tells us what the biblical and Hebraic function of, what we now call, a “mother” was and is supposed to be.
Here, some characteristics associated with a person or thing called אם are strength, binding, bound, a binder, truth, certainty, support, production, and the death of one’s self.
Ideals associated with someone or something called אב, or what we call a “father”, are support, strength, security, provision, son, daughter, the house, and production.
The mother and father have some things in common, such as strength, support, and production. Areas where the two differ are in truthfulness, certainty, and the extent to which they give of themselves. The father specifically strengthens his children and the house, but the mother is the strong glue that wholes the entire house and family together.
In this, we learn the responsibilities of the mother and father aren’t that different and each has their own strengths and qualities that make them unique, while also being similar in many aspects.
As you continue to study Hebrew, remain aware of these facts about the Hebrew language and how it differs from Western languages, cultures, ideologies, and understanding.
What You’ve Learned So Far
Congratulations… You’ve learned most Hebrew prefixes and suffixes – certainly the most common ones!
| ראש/head | חשך/darkness | תהום/deep sea | אור/light |
| ברא/fatten/fill | על/upon/above | הום/roar/destroy | כי/because of/as of/like of |
| רא/perceive | פנ/face/turn | רוח/wind/ “spirit” | טוב/function/’good’ |
| אלה/power | הי/exist | רחפ/flutter | בדל/separate |
| את/mark | תהו/waste | מים/waters | בין/between/understand/distinguish |
| ארצ/Earth/land | הו/disaster | אמר/say | קרא/call |
| יום/day | לילה/night | ערב/dark colored | בקר/morning |
| אחד/one |
