Hebrew Shewa Rules: Vowel Reduction and Syllable Closure

What is shewa?

Shewa ( ְ ) is written in the absence of a distinct vowel sound.

Where can shewa be written?

Shewa can be written under any letter but is not normally written under the final letter of a word (with a few exceptions).

What does shewa represent?

Shewa marks vowel reduction and represents a closed syllable.

What is vocal shewa?

Vocal shewa is a sound comparable to the ə sound in 'or' or 'putt'.

What is silent shewa?

Silent shewa is written at the end of a closed syllable and is not pronounced or transliterated.

When is shewa vocal?

Shewa under the first letter of a syllable is vocal.

When is shewa silent?

Shewa under a letter that closes a syllable is silent.

What happens when a consonant and shewa form an open syllable?

The shewa is vocal but should not be pronounced too distinctly.

How is final kap̱ (ך) normally written?

Final kap̱ (ך) is normally written with silent shewa (ךְ) when it lacks a vowel.

What occurs when shewa follows a long vowel?

When shewa follows a long vowel, it is vocal and the letter with shewa is a new syllable.

What occurs when shewa follows a short vowel?

When shewa follows a short vowel, it is silent and closes the syllable.

What happens when two shewas occur together under two consecutive letters?

The first shewa is silent, closing a syllable, and the second shewa is vocal, beginning a new syllable.

How is the short vowel in a compound treated?

The short vowel is pronounced quickly and treated like vocal shewa, standing in an open syllable.

What is the rule of the shewa at the beginning of a word?

Two shewas are not written consecutively; the first becomes ḥî́req.

What happens when the second shewa is compound shewa?

The first shewa changes to the full short vowel that corresponds to the following compound shewa.

How is shewa under a letter with dāg̱ēš forte treated?

Shewa under a letter that has dāg̱ēš forte is vocal shewa.

What is an example of shewa changing at the beginning of a word?

The preposition לְ (to) prefixed to שְׁמוּאֵל (Samuel) results in לִשְׁמוּאֵל lišmûʾēl.

What is an example of shewa changing with a compound shewa?

The preposition לְ prefixed to אֱדוֹם (Edom) results in לֶאֱדוֹם leʾĕḏôm.