BOJ Master

יָשַׁע (Hiphil) / וַיּוֹשִׁיעוּ / לְהוֹשִׁיעַ

ROOT: י-שׁ-ע | MEANING: to save, deliver (Hiphil causative) | WEAK: Pe-yod Hiphil | KEY FORMS: Wayyiqtol 3mp וַיּוֹשִׁיעוּם | Wayyiqtol 1cs וָאוֹשִׁיעָה | Yiqtol 1cs אוֹשִׁיעַ | Yiqtol 3ms יוֹשִׁיעַ | Inf. Const. לְהוֹשִׁיעַ | NOTE: Pe-yod preserved as waw in prefix. Standard deliverance verb of Judges | APPEARS IN: 2:16,18 / 4:? / 6:14,15,36,37 / 10:12,13,14 / 13:5

שָׁמַע (Qal) / וַיִּשְׁמַע

ROOT: שׁ-מ-ע | MEANING: to hear, obey, listen | WEAK: Pe-guttural (שׁ is not guttural — but ע at end matters in some forms) | KEY FORMS: Wayyiqtol 3ms וַיִּשְׁמַע | Qatal 3mp שָׁמְעוּ | Qatal 1cp שָׁמַעְנוּ | NOTE: שָׁמַע לְ = 'obey.' לֹא שָׁמְעוּ = 'they did not listen/obey' (apostasy). בְּקוֹל = 'to the voice of' | APPEARS IN: 2:17,20 / 4:? / 6:? / 10:14 / 13:9

עָלָה (Qal/Hiphil) / וַיַּעַל

ROOT: ע-ל-ה | MEANING: Qal = to go up, Hiphil = to bring up, offer up | WEAK: Lamed-he + Pe-guttural (ע) | KEY FORMS: Qal wayyiqtol 3ms וַיַּעַל | Qal wayyiqtol 3fs וַתַּעַל | Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp וַיַּעֲלוּ | Inf. Const. לַעֲלוֹת | NOTE: Hiphil of עלה = 'offer up' (sacrifice). Directional he: הַשָּׁמַיְמָה = 'toward heaven.' | APPEARS IN: 4:5,10,14 / 6:21 / 13:20

שׁוּב (Qal) / וַיָּשָׁב

ROOT: שׁ-ו-ב | MEANING: to return, turn back, repent | WEAK: Hollow (Ayin-waw) | KEY FORMS: Wayyiqtol 3ms וַיָּשָׁב | Qatal 3ms שָׁב | Yiqtol 3ms יָשׁוּב | Inf. Const. לָשׁוּב | Hiphil: הֵשִׁיב = 'brought back/restored' | NOTE: In 2:19 = apostasy: 'they would return and act corruptly.' In 10: return to YHWH. Context determines direction of return.

נוּס (Qal) / וַיָּנָס

ROOT: נ-ו-ס | MEANING: to flee | WEAK: Hollow (Ayin-waw) | KEY FORMS: Wayyiqtol 3ms וַיָּנָס | Qatal 3ms נָס | Hiphil לְהָנִיס = 'to hide/cause to flee' | NOTE: Sisera flees in ch.4. The hollow verb: prefix vowel ā (וַיָּ). Key irony: the feared Canaanite general flees on foot.

רָדַף (Qal) / רֹדֵף

ROOT: ר-ד-פ | MEANING: to pursue, chase | WEAK: Strong root | KEY FORMS: Qal participle ms רֹדֵף | Wayyiqtol 3ms וַיִּרְדֹּף | NOTE: In ch.4: Barak pursues Sisera (4:16,22). Used in הִנֵּה + participle: בָּרָק רֹדֵף = 'Barak was pursuing' (dramatic scene-setting). Pursuit theme in Judges battles.

נָכָה (Hiphil) / וַיַּךְ / וַיַּכּוּ

ROOT: נ-כ-ה | MEANING: to strike, smite (Hiphil) | WEAK: Pe-nun + Lamed-he | KEY FORMS: Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms וַיַּךְ (short) / וַיַּכֶּה | Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp וַיַּכּוּ | Hiphil qatal 3ms הִכָּה | Hiphil inf. const. לְהַכּוֹת | NOTE: Standard verb for military striking/smiting. Appears in battle narratives. The Hiphil is the standard stem.

קוּם (Qal/Hiphil) / וַיָּקָם / וַיָּקֶם

ROOT: ק-ו-מ | MEANING: Qal = to arise, stand up, Hiphil = to raise up, establish | WEAK: Hollow (Ayin-waw) | KEY FORMS: Qal wayyiqtol 3ms וַיָּקָם | Qal imperative 2ms קוּם | Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms וַיָּקֶם | Hiphil qatal 3ms הֵקִים | NOTE: KEY DISTINCTION: וַיָּקָם (ā vowel) = Qal 'he arose.' וַיָּקֶם (ē vowel) = Hiphil 'he raised up.' Critical for parsing.

שָׁלַח (Qal/Piel) / וַיִּשְׁלַח

ROOT: שׁ-ל-ח | MEANING: Qal = to send, Piel = to send away, release | WEAK: Strong root | KEY FORMS: Wayyiqtol 3ms וַיִּשְׁלַח | Piel wayyiqtol 3ms וַיְשַׁלַּח | NOTE: Piel = dismissive/intensive 'send away.' YHWH sends the angel (13:8). Deborah sends for Barak (4:6). God sends the prophet (6:8). Common narrative transition verb.

דָּבַר (Piel) / וַיְדַבֵּר

ROOT: ד-ב-ר | MEANING: to speak (Piel is standard stem) | WEAK: Pe-guttural (ד not guttural — strong verb) | KEY FORMS: Piel wayyiqtol 3ms וַיְדַבֵּר | Piel qatal 3ms דִּבֶּר | Piel inf. const. לְדַבֵּר | NOTE: Qal of דבר is extremely rare. Piel = the standard form for 'speak.' Daghesh forte in בּ signals Piel throughout all forms.

צָוָה (Piel) / וַיְצַו / צִוָּה

ROOT: צ-ו-ה | MEANING: to command (Piel standard) | WEAK: Lamed-he | KEY FORMS: Piel wayyiqtol 3ms וַיְצַו | Piel qatal 3ms צִוָּה | Piel qatal 1cs צִוִּיתִי | Piel inf. const. לְצַוּוֹת | NOTE: Lamed-he Piel. In divine speech: YHWH commands. In 4:6: Deborah relays YHWH's command. In 13:14: the angel repeats the command.

שׁוּב (Qal) / שָׁב / יָשׁוּבוּ vs. הָלַךְ (Qal) / הָלַכְנוּ

ROOT: שׁ-ו-ב vs ה-ל-כ | CONTRAST: שׁוּב = return/turn back (hollow). הָלַךְ = go/walk (Pe-he). Both are high-frequency directional verbs. KEY DISTINCTION: שׁוּב implies going BACK (reversal). הָלַךְ implies going forward. In apostasy context: וַיָּשֻׁבוּ וְשִׁחֲתוּ (they turned back and acted corruptly). Both appear in 2:17-19.

הָיָה (Qal) / וַיְהִי / וְהָיָה

ROOT: ה-י-ה | MEANING: to be, become, happen | WEAK: Lamed-he + Pe-he | KEY FORMS: Wayyiqtol 3ms וַיְהִי | Qatal 3ms הָיָה | Qatal 3fs הָיְתָה | Weqatal וְהָיָה | Yiqtol 3ms יִהְיֶה | NOTE: וַיְהִי = narrative 'and it came to pass' (introduces new scene). וְהָיָה = conditional future (weqatal habitual). אֵין = negated existence ('there is no').

אָב / אֲבוֹת

ROOT: א-ב | MEANING: father / fathers | CONSTRUCT SINGULAR: אֲבִי | PLURAL: אָבוֹת (suppletive — NOT אָבִים) | WITH SUFFIX: אֲבוֹתָם = 'their fathers' | NOTE: Highly irregular plural. The phrase אֱלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתָם = 'God of their fathers' is a fixed Deuteronomistic expression for YHWH as the ancestral deity. Appears in 2:12.

כֹּחַ / גְּבוּרָה

ROOT: כ-ח-ח / ג-ב-ר | MEANING: strength, power / might, valor | NOTE: כֹּחַ: 'natural/physical strength.' בְּכֹחֲךָ זֶה = 'in this your strength' (6:14). גְּבוּרָה: 'might/heroic strength.' גִּבּוֹר = 'mighty warrior/hero.' Both appear in contexts of divine commissioning. Samson's strength (כֹּחַ) is the central theme of chs.14-16.

יָד / כַּף

ROOT: י-ד / כ-פ-פ | MEANING: hand / palm | NOTE: יָד: most common. בְּיַד = 'into the hand of' (power). מִיַּד = 'from the hand of' (rescue). כַּף: palm/hollow of hand. מִכַּף מִדְיָן = 'from the hand of Midian' (6:14). Both express power/subjugation — know which is which.

וַתִּצְלַח עָלָיו רוּחַ יְהוָה [14:6,19]

ROOT: צ-ל-ח | STEM: Qal | FORM: Wayyiqtol 3fs + עָלָיו | GLOSS: and the Spirit of YHWH rushed upon him | NOTE: Lamed-he verb (צלח). Fs because רוּחַ is feminine. The Spirit 'rushing' on Samson (צלח) is more violent than on Gideon ('clothed' — 6:34) or the initial stirring (פעם — 13:25). Appears in 14:6 (lion), 14:19 (Ashkelon), 15:14 (ropes). Key Samson Spirit verb.

חִידָה [14:12]

ROOT: ח-ו-ד / ח-י-ד | MEANING: riddle, enigma | GENDER/NUMBER: feminine singular | NOTE: Root ח-ו-ד or ח-ד-ד. The riddle Samson poses to the Philistines: מִן-הָאֹכֵל יָצָא מַאֲכָל וּמֵעַז יָצָא מָתוֹק ('from the eater came food, from the strong came sweetness' — 14:14). חִידָה is a genre — a wisdom riddle. Samson's riddle is unanswerable without inside knowledge.

שְׂעָרוֹ [16:17,22]

ROOT: שׂ-ע-ר | MEANING: his hair | GENDER/NUMBER: masculine singular + 3ms suffix | NOTE: Root שׂ-ע-ר. שֵׂעָר = 'hair.' Key term in the Delilah narrative. שֶׁבַע מַחְלְפוֹת רֹאשׁוֹ = 'seven locks of his head' (16:13). The Nazirite's hair (מוֹרָה לֹא-יַעֲלֶה — 13:5) is the locus of his strength and his Nazirite vow. Cutting it = breaking the vow.

וַיַּגֶּד-לָהּ אֶת-כָּל-לִבּוֹ [16:17]

ROOT: נ-ג-ד (Hiphil) / ל-ב-ב | MEANING: and he told her all his heart | PARSE: וַיַּגֶּד = Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms of נגד (Pe-nun: nun assimilates into daghesh in גּ) + לָהּ (3fs dative suffix = 'to her'). אֶת-כָּל-לִבּוֹ = 'all his heart' (direct object). לֵב/לֵבָב = heart/mind (root ל-ב-ב geminate). The moment of Samson's fatal disclosure to Delilah.

וַתְּגַלַּח [16:19]

ROOT: ג-ל-ח | STEM: Piel | FORM: Wayyiqtol 3fs | GLOSS: and she shaved | NOTE: Piel of גלח = 'to shave.' Fs (Delilah as subject). וַתְּגַלַּח אֶת-שֶׁבַע מַחְלְפוֹת רֹאשׁוֹ = 'and she shaved the seven locks of his head.' The act that violates his Nazirite vow and removes his strength.

וַיִּקְרָא שִׁמְשׁוֹן אֶל-יְהוָה [16:28]

ROOT: ק-ר-א | STEM: Qal | FORM: Wayyiqtol 3ms | GLOSS: and Samson called out to YHWH | NOTE: Strong root. This prayer (16:28-30) is Samson's only recorded prayer and is exam-gold. Key verbs in the prayer: זָכְרֵנִי (Qal imperative 2ms of זכר + 1cs suffix = 'remember me'), חַזְּקֵנִי (Piel imperative of חזק + 1cs suffix = 'strengthen me'), אֲנָקְמָה (Qal cohortative 1cs of נקם = 'let me avenge').

אֲנָקְמָה נְקַם-אַחַת מִשְּׁתֵי עֵינַי מִן-פְּלִשְׁתִּים [16:28]

TRANSLATION: Let me be avenged — one vengeance for my two eyes — from the Philistines. | PARSE: אֲנָקְמָה = Niphal cohortative 1cs of נקם ('let me avenge/be avenged'). נְקַם-אַחַת = 'one vengeance' (object). מִשְּׁתֵי עֵינַי = 'for my two eyes' (מִן + dual construct שְׁתֵּי + עַיִן + 1cs suffix). מִן-פְּלִשְׁתִּים = 'from the Philistines.' The dual עֵינַיִם (eyes) in construct = שְׁתֵּי עֵינַי.

אֵין מֶלֶךְ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל [19:1 / 21:25]

PHRASE: 'There was no king in Israel' | PARSE: אֵין = particle of negated existence ('there is/was no'). מֶלֶךְ = 'king' (root מ-ל-כ). בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל = prepositional phrase. | NOTE: This phrase appears four times in Judges 17-21 (17:6 / 18:1 / 19:1 / 21:25). It is the book's theological conclusion and closing statement. The full formula in 17:6 and 21:25: אֵין מֶלֶךְ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל אִישׁ הַיָּשָׁר בְּעֵינָיו יַעֲשֶׂה. Exam certainty.

פִּילֶגֶשׁ [19:1]

ROOT: foreign loanword (possibly Philistine) | MEANING: concubine | GENDER/NUMBER: feminine singular | NOTE: A secondary wife with legal status but lower than a primary wife. The Levite's unnamed concubine (פִּילֶגְשׁוֹ = 'his concubine') is the victim of ch.19. Her death triggers all of chs.20-21. The word appears 15x in chs.19-20. She is never named — a pointed narrative silence.

נְבָלָה [19:23,24]

ROOT: נ-ב-ל | MEANING: outrage, disgrace, folly, vile act | GENDER/NUMBER: feminine singular | NOTE: Root נ-ב-ל ('to be foolish/disgraced'). The strongest term for sexual violence and social outrage in BH. נְבָלָה בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל = 'an outrage in Israel' — a legal formula for crimes against the social order. Used of the rape in 19:23,24 and recounted in 20:6,10. Same root: נָבָל = fool (Abigail's husband).

וַיַּחְצֵב אֹתָהּ לִשְׁנֵים עָשָׂר נְתָחִים [19:29]

TRANSLATION: And he cut her into twelve pieces. | PARSE: וַיַּחְצֵב = Qal wayyiqtol 3ms of חצב ('to cut/hew') + אֹתָהּ (3fs direct object = 'her'). לִשְׁנֵים עָשָׂר = 'into twelve' (numeral). נְתָחִים = 'pieces/portions' (plural of נֵתַח — root נ-ת-ח). | NOTE: The Levite dismembers his concubine and sends the pieces to all Israel — a radical act of political messaging (cf. 1 Sam 11:7). Grammatically: Qal wayyiqtol of a rare verb + 3fs suffix.

חֶרֶב / לְפִי-חֶרֶב

ROOT: ח-ר-ב | MEANING: sword | GENDER: fs | KEY PHRASE: לְפִי-חֶרֶב = 'by the edge of the sword' (lit. 'according to the mouth of the sword') | NOTE: Appears throughout the battle narratives of chs.20-21. The civil war against Benjamin uses this phrase repeatedly. Same root as חָרֵב = 'dry/desolate' — possibly metonymic (dry blade). Feminine noun — important for verb agreement.

וְהָאִישׁ הַיָּשָׁר בְּעֵינָיו / יְהוָה עִמְּךָ

KEY CONTRAST: Two visions of the 'right': (1) אִישׁ הַיָּשָׁר בְּעֵינָיו יַעֲשֶׂה (21:25) = each person's subjective moral standard. (2) יְהוָה עִמְּךָ גִּבּוֹר הֶחָיִל (6:12) = YHWH's standard and presence. | NOTE: The entire book of Judges can be read as the tension between these two phrases. When Israel has a judge empowered by YHWH, YHWH's standard prevails. When there is no judge, each person's own standard fills the vacuum — with catastrophic results.

CRY FORMULA [2:18 / 4:3 / 6:6 / 10:10]

וַיִּזְעֲקוּ בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶל-יְהוָה

TRANSLATION: And the sons of Israel cried out to YHWH. | PARSE: וַיִּזְעֲקוּ = Qal wayyiqtol 3mp of זעק (Pe-guttural). אֶל-יְהוָה = prepositional phrase. | NOTE: The cry triggers the deliverer phase. Abbreviated in some passages (6:6 just says they cried). Expanded in 10:10ff into a full confession dialogue. This is the turning point of every cycle.

DELIVERANCE FORMULA [2:16 / 3:9 / 6:14]

וַיָּקֶם יְהוָה שֹׁפְטִים / מוֹשִׁיעִים

TRANSLATION: And YHWH raised up judges / deliverers. | PARSE: וַיָּקֶם = Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms of קום (hollow) — the ē vowel under prefix distinguishes Hiphil from Qal וַיָּקָם. שֹׁפְטִים = Qal active participle mp of שׁפט ('judges'). מוֹשִׁיעִים = Hiphil participle mp of ישׁע ('deliverers'). | NOTE: The divine response to Israel's cry. Always YHWH's initiative — the judges are raised, not self-appointed.

REST FORMULA [3:11 / 3:30 / 5:31 / 8:28]

וַתִּשְׁקֹט הָאָרֶץ [N] שָׁנָה

TRANSLATION: And the land was quiet/at rest [N] years. | PARSE: וַתִּשְׁקֹט = Qal wayyiqtol 3fs of שׁקט ('to be quiet/at rest'). Fs because הָאָרֶץ = fs. שָׁנָה / שָׁנִים = year(s). | NOTE: Closes the deliverance phase. The land resting marks the cycle's completion. Years vary: 40 (Othniel), 80 (Ehud), 40 (Deborah), 40 (Gideon). NOT in Samson — his story never reaches the rest formula.

CLOSING FORMULA [21:25 / 17:6]

בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם אֵין מֶלֶךְ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל אִישׁ הַיָּשָׁר בְּעֵינָיו יַעֲשֶׂה

TRANSLATION: In those days there was no king in Israel. Each man did what was right in his own eyes. | PARSE: בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם = 'in those days' (temporal frame). אֵין = particle of negated existence. מֶלֶךְ = 'king.' אִישׁ = 'each man' (subject). הַיָּשָׁר = 'what is right' (adjective nominalized). בְּעֵינָיו = 'in his eyes' (prep + dual constr + 3ms suffix). יַעֲשֶׂה = Qal yiqtol 3ms of עשׂה (habitual). | NOTE: Almost certain to appear on the exam. Know every word cold.

THEOPHANY REASSURANCE [6:23 / 13:?]

שָׁלוֹם לְךָ אַל-תִּירָא לֹא תָמוּת

TRANSLATION: Peace to you. Do not be afraid. You will not die. | PARSE: שָׁלוֹם לְךָ = verbless nominal clause. אַל-תִּירָא = אַל + Qal jussive 2ms of ירא (Pe-yod: 'be afraid'). לֹא תָמוּת = Qal yiqtol 2ms of מות (hollow) negated. | NOTE: Standard theophany reassurance formula (cf. Exod 20:20, Isa 41:10). Appears after divine encounter. The three-part structure: peace proclaimed + fear negated + death negated. Know the parse of each verb.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT [13:3,5 / cf. Gen 16:11 / 1 Sam 1]

הִנֵּה-נָא אַתְּ עֲקָרָה...וְהָרִית וְיָלַדְתְּ בֵּן

TRANSLATION: Behold, you are barren...but you will conceive and bear a son. | PARSE: הִנֵּה-נָא = attention + entreaty. אַתְּ עֲקָרָה = verbless ('you are barren'). וְהָרִית = Qal weqatal 2fs of הרה (Lamed-he — 'conceive'). וְיָלַדְתְּ = Qal weqatal 2fs of ילד (Pe-guttural — 'bear'). | NOTE: The birth announcement type-scene. Always: barren woman + divine messenger + future promise. The weqatal forms express sequential future promise. Know the 2fs markers: suffix תְּ (shewa, no daghesh).

SPIRIT EMPOWERMENT [6:34 / 13:25 / 14:6,19 / 15:14]

רוּחַ יְהוָה + verb

COMPARISON OF FORMS: (1) וְרוּחַ יְהוָה לָבְשָׁה אֶת-גִּדְעוֹן (6:34) = 'the Spirit clothed Gideon' — Qal qatal 3fs of לבשׁ. (2) וַתָּחֶל רוּחַ יְהוָה לְפַעֲמוֹ (13:25) = 'the Spirit began to stir him' — Qal wayyiqtol 3fs of חלל/יחל. (3) וַתִּצְלַח עָלָיו רוּחַ יְהוָה (14:6) = 'the Spirit rushed upon him' — Qal wayyiqtol 3fs of צלח. | NOTE: All three verbs are fs because רוּחַ is feminine. Know all three verbs and their distinctions.

NAZIRITE DECLARATION [13:5]

כִּי-נְזִיר אֱלֹהִים יִהְיֶה הַנַּעַר מִן-הַבֶּטֶן

TRANSLATION: For a Nazirite of God the boy shall be from the womb. | PARSE: כִּי = causal/explanatory. נְזִיר אֱלֹהִים = fronted predicate (construct chain). יִהְיֶה = Qal yiqtol 3ms of היה. הַנַּעַר = subject (delayed). מִן-הַבֶּטֶן = 'from the womb.' | NOTE: Predicate fronted before verb and subject = marked emphasis on NAZIRITE status. The Nazirite's three prohibitions (Num 6): (1) no wine/strong drink. (2) no razor on head. (3) no contact with corpses. Samson violates all three.

עָזַב (Qal) / וַיַּעַזְבוּ

ROOT: ע-ז-ב | MEANING: to abandon, forsake | WEAK: Pe-guttural (ע) | KEY FORMS: Qatal 3ms עָזַב | Wayyiqtol 3mp וַיַּעַזְבוּ | Qatal 1cp עֲזַבְנוּ | Qatal 2mp עֲזַבְתֶּם | APPEARS IN: 2:12,13 / 6:13 / 10:6,10,13 — the standard apostasy verb. Always the object: אֶת-יְהוָה ('forsook YHWH')

עָבַד (Qal) / וַיַּעַבְדוּ

ROOT: ע-ב-ד | MEANING: to serve, worship | WEAK: Pe-guttural (ע) | KEY FORMS: Qatal 3ms עָבַד | Wayyiqtol 3mp וַיַּעַבְדוּ | Inf. Const. לַעֲבֹד | Participle עֹבֵד | NOTE: with לְ = serve (someone). APPEARS IN: 2:11,13,19 / 10:6,10,13,16 / 13:1 — serves false gods then serves YHWH again in 10:16 (pivot)

נָתַן (Qal) / וַיִּתֵּן

ROOT: נ-ת-נ | MEANING: to give, place, set | WEAK: Pe-nun (nun assimilates → daghesh in תּ) | KEY FORMS: Wayyiqtol 3ms וַיִּתֵּן | Wayyiqtol 3ms + suffix וַיִּתְּנֵם / וַיִּתְּנֵנוּ | Qatal 3ms נָתַן | Inf. Const. לָתֵת | PHRASE: נָתַן בְּיַד = 'give into the hand of' (punishment formula) | APPEARS IN: 2:14 / 4:7,14 / 6:1 / 10:7 / 13:1

זָעַק / צָעַק (Qal) / וַיִּזְעֲקוּ

ROOT: ז-ע-ק / צ-ע-ק | MEANING: to cry out (for help) | WEAK: Pe-guttural (ע) | KEY FORMS: Wayyiqtol 3mp וַיִּזְעֲקוּ | Qatal 3mp זָעֲקוּ | Hiphil: וַיַּזְעֵק = 'mustered' | NOTE: The cry of distress that triggers the deliverance cycle. זעק and צעק are near-synonyms — same function | APPEARS IN: 2:18 / 4:3,10 / 6:6,7 / 10:10,12 / 13:?

הָלַךְ (Qal) / וַיֵּלֶךְ

ROOT: ה-ל-כ | MEANING: to go, walk | WEAK: Pe-he (Pe-yod) | KEY FORMS: Wayyiqtol 3ms וַיֵּלֶךְ | Wayyiqtol 3fs וַתֵּלֶךְ | Wayyiqtol 3mp וַיֵּלְכוּ | Qatal 3mp הָלְכוּ | Inf. Const. לָלֶכֶת | Imperative 2ms לֵךְ | Imperative 2mp לְכוּ | APPEARS IN: 2:17,19 / 4:6,8,9 passim / 6:14 / 10:14 — appears 12x in ch.4 alone

בּוֹא (Qal) / וַיָּבֹא

ROOT: ב-ו-א | MEANING: to come, enter | WEAK: Hollow (Ayin-waw) | KEY FORMS: Wayyiqtol 3ms וַיָּבֹא | Wayyiqtol 3fs וַתָּבֹא | Inf. Const. לָבוֹא | Participle בָּא | Hiphil: הֵבִיא / וַיָּבִיאוּ = 'brought' | APPEARS IN: 2:? / 4:18,22 / 6:11 / 13:6 — Jael's tent scene uses בוא ironically three times (vv.18,21,22)

רָאָה (Qal/Niphal) / וַיַּרְא / וַיֵּרָא

ROOT: ר-א-ה | MEANING: Qal = to see, Niphal = to appear (theophany) | WEAK: Lamed-he + Lamed-guttural (aleph) | KEY FORMS: Qal wayyiqtol 3ms וַיַּרְא | Qal qatal 3ms רָאָה | Niphal wayyiqtol 3ms וַיֵּרָא ('appeared') | Hiphil וַיַּרְאֵהוּ = 'showed him' | CRITICAL: Qal וַיַּרְא = 'he saw' vs Niphal וַיֵּרָא = 'he appeared' | APPEARS IN: 4:22 / 6:12,22 / 13:3,6,20,22,23

אָמַר (Qal) / וַיֹּאמֶר

ROOT: א-מ-ר | MEANING: to say | WEAK: Pe-aleph (aleph quiesces) | KEY FORMS: Wayyiqtol 3ms וַיֹּאמֶר | Wayyiqtol 3fs וַתֹּאמֶר | Qatal 3ms אָמַר | Inf. Const. לֵאמֹר (speech introducer) | NOTE: Most common verb in Biblical Hebrew. לֵאמֹר = 'saying' (introduces direct speech) | APPEARS IN: Every chapter — learn to identify it instantly

יָצָא (Qal) / וַיֵּצֵא

ROOT: י-צ-א | MEANING: to go out | WEAK: Pe-guttural (yod functions as guttural here) | KEY FORMS: Wayyiqtol 3ms וַיֵּצֵא | Wayyiqtol 3fs וַתֵּצֵא | Qatal 3mp יָצְאוּ | Inf. Const. לָצֵאת | Hiphil participle הַמּוֹצִיא = 'the one who brought out' | APPEARS IN: 2:12,15 / 4:14,18,22 / 6:? / 13:?

יָשַׁב (Qal) / וַיֵּשֶׁב / יֹשֵׁב

ROOT: י-שׁ-ב | MEANING: to sit, dwell, remain | WEAK: Pe-yod | KEY FORMS: Wayyiqtol 3ms וַיֵּשֶׁב | Participle ms יֹשֵׁב | Participle fs יֹשֶׁבֶת | NOTE: Pe-yod: yod drops in imperfect prefix but becomes waw (holem) in participle. יֹשֵׁב often used circumstantially: 'while sitting/dwelling.' | APPEARS IN: 4:2,5 / 6:11 / 13:9

קָרָא (Qal) / וַיִּקְרָא

ROOT: ק-ר-א | MEANING: to call, call out, proclaim, read | WEAK: Lamed-guttural (aleph) | KEY FORMS: Wayyiqtol 3ms וַיִּקְרָא | Wayyiqtol 3fs וַתִּקְרָא | Inf. Const. לִקְרֹא | NOTE: Two uses: (1) vocative — 'called to/named.' (2) Naming formula: וַיִּקְרָא שְׁמוֹ = 'and he named it.' | APPEARS IN: 4:6 / 6:? / 10:? / 13:24

יָרַד (Qal) / וַיֵּרֶד

ROOT: י-ר-ד | MEANING: to go down, descend | WEAK: Pe-yod | KEY FORMS: Wayyiqtol 3ms וַיֵּרֶד | Inf. Const. לָרֶדֶת | Hiphil: וַיּוֹרֶד = 'brought down' | NOTE: Pe-yod: yod drops in imperfect. Key in ch.4: Barak descends from Mount Tabor to battle. In ch.14: Samson goes down to Timnah.

נָפַל (Qal) / וַיִּפֹּל

ROOT: נ-פ-ל | MEANING: to fall | WEAK: Pe-nun (nun assimilates) | KEY FORMS: Wayyiqtol 3ms וַיִּפֹּל | Wayyiqtol 3mp וַיִּפְּלוּ | Qal participle נֹפֵל | NOTE: Pe-nun: nun assimilates into daghesh in פּ. In 4:16: Sisera's camp falls. In 4:22: Sisera lying fallen dead. In 13:20: Manoah falls on his face. In 16: Samson falls.

שָׁפַט (Qal) / שֹׁפְטִים

ROOT: שׁ-פ-ט | MEANING: to judge, rule, govern | WEAK: Strong root | KEY FORMS: Qal participle mp שֹׁפְטִים (title) | Qal participle fs שֹׁפְטָה | Wayyiqtol 3ms וַיִּשְׁפֹּט | NOTE: שֹׁפְטִים is a substantivized Qal active participle. Title of the book and its leaders. Deborah שֹׁפְטָה (4:4) = fs participle used as predicate.

יָדַע (Qal) / יֹדֵעַ / יָדַעְתִּי

ROOT: י-ד-ע | MEANING: to know | WEAK: Pe-guttural (י) — actually not Pe-yod | KEY FORMS: Qatal 3ms יָדַע | Qatal 1cs יָדַעְתִּי | Yiqtol 1cs אֵדַע | Participle ms יֹדֵעַ | NOTE: לֹא יָדַע = 'he did not know' — Manoah's ignorance (13:16). וְיָדַעְתִּי = 'then I will know' (Gideon's fleece, 6:37). Common cognitive verb.

בֵּית / בְּנֵי

ROOT: ב-נ-ה / ב-י-ת | MEANING: house (בַּיִת) / sons (בֵּן) | NOTE: בֵּן: root ב-נ. Construct plural: בְּנֵי. Irreg. plural: בָּנִים. Phrase בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל = 'sons of Israel' = Israelites — appears in EVERY passage. בַּיִת: irregular plural בָּתִּים. בֵּית = construct 'house of.' Both are extremely high frequency.

יַד / בְּיַד / מִיַּד

ROOT: י-ד | MEANING: hand | GENDER: fs | KEY PHRASES: בְּיַד + noun = 'into the hand of' (subjugation). מִיַּד + noun = 'from the hand of' (deliverance). The two polar expressions of the Deuteronomistic cycle: punishment (given into hand) and salvation (saved from hand). Appears in every passage.

עַיִן / בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה

ROOT: ע-י-ן | MEANING: eye, spring (of water) | GENDER: fs | CONSTRUCT PLURAL: עֵינֵי | KEY PHRASE: הָרַע בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה = 'what was evil in the eyes of YHWH' — the fixed phrase opening every sin formula. עֵינֵי = construct plural (note: NOT dual like עֵינַיִם). Also: בְּעֵינֶיךָ = 'in your eyes' (idiom for 'in your view/opinion').

מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה

ROOT: ל-א-כ | MEANING: messenger/angel of YHWH | KEY FORMS: מַלְאָךְ (absolute) / מַלְאַךְ (construct) | NOTE: Appears in 2:1,4 / 6:11,12,21,22 / 13:3,6,9,13,15,16,17,18,20,21. The term raises the identity question: is this a distinct being or YHWH himself? In 6:14 the angel speaks as YHWH. Standard vehicle for divine revelation in Judges.

רוּחַ יְהוָה

ROOT: ר-ו-ח | MEANING: Spirit/wind/breath of YHWH | GENDER: fs | KEY FORMS: with suffix רוּחוֹ. APPEARS WITH: לָבְשָׁה (clothed — 6:34) / וַתָּחֶל לְפַעֲמוֹ (began to stir — 13:25) / וַתִּצְלַח עָלָיו (rushed upon him — 14:6,19 / 15:14) | NOTE: The Spirit's relationship to Samson is episodic and violent — distinct from Gideon's sustained clothing.

שָׁנָה / שָׁנִים

ROOT: שׁ-נ-ה | MEANING: year | GENDER: fs | PLURAL: שָׁנִים (m) or שָׁנוֹת (f) | KEY NUMBERS: שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים (7 years — ch.6) / אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה (40 years — ch.13) / עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה (20 years — 4:3) / שְׁמֹנֶה עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה (18 years — 10:8). The oppression lengths are formulaic markers of the cycle's severity.

יוֹם / בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא

ROOT: י-ו-מ | MEANING: day | GENDER: ms | KEY PHRASES: בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא = 'on that day' (narrative conclusion formula — 4:23). זֶה הַיּוֹם = 'this is the day' (battle oracle — 4:14). הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה = 'this day/today.' עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה = 'to this day' (antiquarian note — 6:24).

מוּת (Qal/Hiphil) / וַיָּמָת / וַיָּמֹת

ROOT: מ-ו-ת | MEANING: Qal = to die, Hiphil = to kill | WEAK: Hollow (Ayin-waw) | KEY FORMS: Qal wayyiqtol 3ms וַיָּמָת / וַיָּמֹת | Qal qatal 3ms מֵת | Inf. Abs. מוֹת | Yiqtol 1cp נָמוּת | Hiphil inf. const. לַהֲמִית | NOTE: Two forms of wayyiqtol 3ms — both valid. Inf. Abs. מוֹת + yiqtol = 'surely die.' Hollow: prefix vowel ā (וַיָּ).

הָרַע בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה

PHRASE: 'what was evil in the eyes of YHWH' | ROOT of רַע: ר-ע-ע (geminate) | MEANING: evil, what is bad | NOTE: Always with article: הָרַע. Substantivized adjective = 'the evil thing.' The fixed phrase opens EVERY Deuteronomistic sin formula. Recognize it instantly. Appears: 2:11 / 3:7,12 / 4:1 / 6:1 / 10:6 / 13:1.

אֱלֹהִים / אֱלֹהֵי

ROOT: א-ל-ה | MEANING: God (singular) or gods (plural) | CONSTRUCT: אֱלֹהֵי | NOTE: Morphologically plural but often syntactically singular (for YHWH). אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל = 'God of Israel.' אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים = 'other gods.' אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים = 'man of God' (prophet title). Key to distinguish: context determines singular or plural meaning.

הַבְּעָלִים / הַבַּעַל

ROOT: ב-ע-ל | MEANING: the Baals (plural) / the Baal | NOTE: The plural הַבְּעָלִים refers to multiple local manifestations of the Canaanite fertility deity. Paired with הָעַשְׁתָּרוֹת (the Ashtaroth). The singular הַבַּעַל (6:25) refers to a specific local altar. The word means 'lord/owner/husband' — Baal worship was a constant temptation as an agricultural fertility cult.

אֶרֶץ

ROOT: א-ר-ץ | MEANING: land, earth, country | GENDER: fs | CONSTRUCT: אֶרֶץ (unchanged) | KEY PHRASES: אֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם = 'land of Egypt.' מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם = 'from the land of Egypt' (Exodus reference). הָאָרֶץ = 'the land' (Canaan implied). אֶרֶץ כְּנַעַן. The land rests (שָׁקְטָה הָאָרֶץ) after each judge.

בְּרִית

ROOT: ב-ר-ת / ב-ר-ה | MEANING: covenant | GENDER: fs | KEY PHRASE: אֶת-בְּרִיתִי = 'my covenant' (2:20 — YHWH's accusation). עָבַר בְּרִית = 'to transgress a covenant.' כָּרַת בְּרִית = 'to cut a covenant' (standard idiom for making a covenant). The broken covenant is the theological explanation for the entire Judges narrative.

אֵשׁ

ROOT: א-שׁ | MEANING: fire | GENDER: fs | NOTE: Feminine noun — important for verb agreement. In theophany scenes: fire accompanies divine presence. 6:21: fire goes up from the rock (וַתַּעַל הָאֵשׁ — fs verb). 13:20: the angel ascends in the flame (בְּלַהַב). Fire and light imagery surrounds Samson (whose name = sun).

שָׁלוֹם

ROOT: שׁ-ל-מ | MEANING: peace, wholeness, welfare, completeness | NOTE: Multiple functions: (1) Greeting/farewell: שָׁלוֹם לְךָ = 'peace to you' (6:23 — divine reassurance). (2) Alliance: שָׁלוֹם בֵּין X וּבֵין Y = 'there was peace between' (4:17). (3) Altar name: יְהוָה שָׁלוֹם (6:24). Root idea: completeness/wholeness — the state of all relationships being right.

מֶלֶךְ

ROOT: מ-ל-כ | MEANING: king | GENDER: ms | CONSTRUCT: מֶלֶךְ | PLURAL: מְלָכִים | NOTE: Central political concept throughout Judges. Kings of enemy nations: יָבִין מֶלֶךְ-כְּנַעַן (4:2). The closing formula of Judges: אֵין מֶלֶךְ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל (21:25) — 'there was no king in Israel.' The book argues implicitly for kingship while showing its dangers through Abimelech (ch.9).

קוֹל

ROOT: ק-ו-ל | MEANING: voice, sound | GENDER: ms | KEY PHRASES: שָׁמַע בְּקוֹל = 'to listen to the voice of / obey.' לֹא שָׁמְעוּ לְקוֹלִי = 'they did not listen to my voice' (2:20 — YHWH's accusation). God's voice/command is the standard of covenant obedience in Deuteronomistic theology.

עַם / הָעָם

ROOT: ע-מ-מ | MEANING: people, nation | GENDER: ms | PLURAL: עַמִּים | NOTE: Geminate root (עעמ). עַם by itself = 'the people' (Israel). הָעַמִּים = 'the nations/peoples' (foreign nations — 2:12). אַלְפֵי הָעָם = 'the thousands of the people' (units). Contrast: Israel as עַם vs. the גּוֹיִם / עַמִּים around them.

אֵשֶׁת / אִשָּׁה

ROOT: א-נ-שׁ | MEANING: woman, wife | CONSTRUCT SINGULAR: אֵשֶׁת | PLURAL: נָשִׁים (fully suppletive) | NOTE: Completely irregular paradigm. Absolute: אִשָּׁה. Construct: אֵשֶׁת. Plural: נָשִׁים. Appears in characterization of ALL the women in Judges — Deborah (4:4), Jael (4:17), Manoah's wife (13:2), Delilah (16:4).

מִן-הָאֹכֵל יָצָא מַאֲכָל וּמֵעַז יָצָא מָתוֹק [14:14]

TRANSLATION: From the eater came food and from the strong came sweetness. | PARSE: מִן-הָאֹכֵל = 'from the eater' (Qal active participle ms with article + מִן). יָצָא = Qal qatal 3ms of יצא (Pe-guttural). מַאֲכָל = 'food' (noun from אָכַל, root א-כ-ל). מֵעַז = 'from the strong one' (adjective עַז used as noun + מִן). מָתוֹק = 'sweet/sweetness' (adjective). The riddle refers to the lion Samson killed — honey was found in its carcass.

וְלֹא יָדַע כִּי יְהוָה סָר מֵעָלָיו [16:20]

TRANSLATION: And he did not know that YHWH had departed from him. | PARSE: וְלֹא יָדַע = Qal qatal 3ms negated ('he did not know'). כִּי = introduces content of what he didn't know. יְהוָה סָר = Qal qatal 3ms of סוּר (hollow: 'turned aside/departed'). מֵעָלָיו = 'from upon him' (prep. מִן + עַל + 3ms suffix). One of the most tragic sentences in Judges — Samson's unawareness of divine departure.

אִישׁ הַיָּשָׁר בְּעֵינָיו יַעֲשֶׂה [21:25]

TRANSLATION: Each man did what was right in his own eyes. | PARSE: אִישׁ = 'each man' (indefinite subject). הַיָּשָׁר = 'what is right/upright' (adjective used as noun, with article). בְּעֵינָיו = 'in his eyes' (prep + dual construct + 3ms suffix). יַעֲשֶׂה = Qal yiqtol 3ms of עשׂה (Lamed-he) — customary/habitual yiqtol. | NOTE: The closing verse of the entire book. Each word is grammatically significant. הַיָּשָׁר ironically echoes הָרַע בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה from every sin formula — each man's 'right' conflicts with YHWH's standard.

לֵוִי / הַלֵּוִי [19:1]

ROOT: ל-ו-י | MEANING: Levite | NOTE: A member of the tribe of Levi — the priestly tribe with no land inheritance. The unnamed Levite of ch.19 is the central (male) figure. His concubine's rape and murder triggers the civil war. The Levite's moral failure is as significant as the crime itself — he uses her body as a political tool in 19:29.

SIN FORMULA [2:11 / 4:1 / 6:1 / 10:6 / 13:1]

וַיַּעֲשׂוּ בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הָרַע בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה

TRANSLATION: And the sons of Israel did what was evil in the eyes of YHWH. | PARSE: וַיַּעֲשׂוּ = Qal wayyiqtol 3mp of עשׂה (Lamed-he). בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל = subject (construct plural). הָרַע = direct object ('the evil' — substantivized adj with article). בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה = adverbial ('in the eyes of YHWH'). | NOTE: The opening of EVERY cycle. In ch.10:6 it expands to list seven specific gods. In chs.13 and others it is compressed. Recognize it in any form.

PUNISHMENT FORMULA [2:14 / 4:2 / 6:1 / 10:7 / 13:1]

וַיִּמְכְּרֵם / וַיִּתְּנֵם בְּיַד [enemy]

TRANSLATION: And he sold/gave them into the hand of [the enemy]. | PARSE: וַיִּמְכְּרֵם = Qal wayyiqtol 3ms of מכר + 3mp suffix. וַיִּתְּנֵם = Qal wayyiqtol 3ms of נתן (Pe-nun) + 3mp suffix. בְּיַד = 'into the hand of.' | TWO FORMS: מכר ('sold') appears in 2:14, 4:9. נתן ('gave') appears in 6:1, 10:7, 13:1. Both express the same theological reality: YHWH hands Israel over to the enemy.

עָשָׂה (Qal) / וַיַּעֲשׂוּ

ROOT: ע-שׂ-ה | MEANING: to do, make | WEAK: Lamed-he + Pe-guttural | KEY FORMS: Qatal 3ms עָשָׂה | Wayyiqtol 3mp וַיַּעֲשׂוּ | Wayyiqtol 3ms וַיַּעַשׂ | Inf. Const. לַעֲשׂוֹת | Participle עֹשֶׂה | APPEARS IN: 2:11,17,19 / 4:1 / 6:1,27 / 10:6 / 13:1 — opens the sin formula in EVERY passage

נֶפֶשׁ

ROOT: נ-פ-שׁ | MEANING: soul, life, self, person, appetite, breath | GENDER: fs | WITH SUFFIX: נַפְשׁוֹ = 'his soul' | KEY IDIOMS: קָצַר נֶפֶשׁ = 'to be impatient/distressed' (10:16 — YHWH's compassion). נָפַל נֶפֶשׁ = 'to give one's life.' NOTE: The most semantically complex word in BH. Never means 'soul' in the later Greek/dualistic sense — always refers to the living self, the whole person.

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