BBH2 Vocabulary

Chapter 3 Syllabification and Pronunciation

The following mnemonics for the vocabulary in Gary D. Pratico and Miles V. Van Pelt, Basics of Biblical
Hebrew, second edition (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007) were generated by many people. Whenever you catch
errors or have ideas for better mnemonics, please use the feedback page at HebrewSyntax.org so that we can
improve this handout. Thanks!

Unless otherwise marked, nouns that end in (

, ,
,
,
or )are feminine.
Words marked [M] are masculine nouns that look like they have a feminine ending.
Unless otherwise marked, nouns that have no ending or end in 
are masculine.
Words marked [F] are feminine nouns that do not end in 
in the singular.
Words marked [M/F] are sometimes feminine and sometimes masculine.

Chapter 3 Syllabification and Pronunciation

Word

Meaning

man, mankind, Adam

 land, earth, ground

Mnemonic
Adam was the first man.
[F] Grow carrots in the eretz (ground).


God, gods

Translit.
dm
ere
lhm

God, god

Abimelech (Avi-melech) means my father [is/was]

king. Abba means father in Aramaic.
Beth-el is the house of God

son

Ben-jamin is the son of my right (hand)

bn

Beth-el is the house of God

bayit

father, ancestor

 house, household
word, matter, thing
day

Yom Qippur = Day of Atonement

[Dont worry about at the end. Transliteration
intentionally omitted. Pronounce it yrlayim.]

yrlayim
[This is traditionally pronounced

dny]
[This is not feminine, despite the final ]

 Egypt

Moses
#  king, ruler
horse
 slave, servant

name, reputation
2011.01.12

yhwh
mirayim

{Most nouns that end in 

are masculine}
Abimelech (Avi-melech) means my father [is/was]
king
The capital city Susa might have had lots of horses.
Abendigo (Eved-nego) might mean servant of the
shining one

Pharaoh
year

ym
yirl

 Jerusalem
Yahweh, LORD

dbr

Israel

 Jerusalem

m
melek
ss
ebed
par

Rosh Hashanah = Head of the year

He felt ashamed of his name and reputation.

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BBH2 Vocabulary

Chapter 4 Hebrew Nouns

Chapter 4 Hebrew Nouns

Word

Meaning

Mnemonic

Translit.

Lord

dny

lord, master

dn

brother

[irregular plural of ]

am

man, husband

[irregular plural of ]

Gen 2:23, Adam said, She will be called because she

was taken from

woman, wife

nm

[Irregular plural of ]

daughter


[F]

nm
A bat-mitzvah is a daughter of the commandment.

{This feminine noun has the feminine ending }

[Irregular plural of ]

#  way, road, journey

gy
derek

[M/F]

mountain, hill, hill country

bat
bnt

Jewish people sometimes refer to non-Jews as goy or

goyim

nation, people

Armageddon might be har Megiddo, hill of Megiddo.

It is hard to climb up this mountain.

[plural of ]

har
hrm

priest

khn

heart, mind, will

You cant live without a heart or mind.

lb

heart, mind, will

lbb

 water
soul, life, person, neck,

throat
prophet

mayim
nepe

[F]

nb

 book, scroll, document

spr

 eye, spring

[F]

ayin

[  Dual of ]


[F]

nayim

city, town

[F]

[ Irregular plural of ]

[F]
host, army, war, service

rm
Lyrics Lord Sabaoth His name means Lord of
Armies

Chapter 4 vocabulary is continued on the next page

2011.01.12

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BBH2 Vocabulary

Chapter 4 Hebrew Nouns

Chapter 4 vocabulary continued from the previous page

Word

Meaning

Mnemonic

Translit.

The hymn A mighty fortress is our God contains the

lyrics: Lord Sabaoth His name

[Plural of ]
bt
Lord Sabaoth is , which can be
translated LORD of Armies
ql
voice, sound, noise
head, top, chief

law, instruction, teaching, custom

2011.01.12

tr

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BBH2 Vocabulary

Chapter 5 Definite Article and Conjunction Waw

Chapter 5 Definite Article and Conjunction Waw

Word

Meaning

fire

Mnemonic
[F]

Fire reduces things to aesh [ash].

temple, palace

gold
[F]

living, alive
life, lifetime
 child, boy, youth
sea

 silver, money

Za-have de gold.

zhb

With his sword he cut off the hair of his enemy.

ereb

Hai! She is alive!

ay

Song in Fiddler on the Roof: Le Hayim = To Life!

ayym

Dont yell-ad the child!

yeled

Yammy [yummy] sea water.

ym

Hand me the case of silver!

kesep

thus, here

place, location
judgment, decision,
ordinance, law, custom,
manner
altar
utterance, announcement,

revelation
 forever, everlasting, ancient
clouds, cloud mass

spirit, wind, breath

That is the place where I put ma-comb.

The police dog doesnt mish pot [overlook marijuana], so
the people with drugs undergo judgment for breaking the
law.
Ms. Beah [bear] on the altar.
The prophet Nahum gave a Naum (a revelation) from the
Lord.

mip
mizba
num

nn
ra

[F]
The Sar [Tsar] was the ruler of Russia.

ar

Imagine a sha-ar [shower] with a gate instead of a door

aar

 heaven, sky

2011.01.12

mqm

lm
The clouds enveloped them, making them anonymous.

chief official, ruler, prince

 gate

hkl

and, but, also, even, then

 sword

Translit.

mayim

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BBH2 Vocabulary

Chapter 6 Hebrew Prepositions

Chapter 6 Hebrew Prepositions

Word

Meaning

after, behind

Mnemonic
Armed pirate shouting: A har! from behind.

after, behind
preposition: with, beside
/ 4 particle: definite direct object

t /
etel /
elbn

/ 4 to, toward, in, into

between
= +

in, at, with, by, against

# in the middle of, inside
#  noun: middle, center
wisdom, skill

bn
b

= + # =  in + middle

btk

Youve got ta wack it in the middle.

twek

[The vowel under is Qamets Hatuf]

okm

as, like, according to

all, each, every

aar
ar

marker

and between

Translit.

k
that is all of the coal

kl

4 all, each, every

[The vowel under is Qamets Hatuf]

kol

before, in front of

= + = to + face of

lipn

to, toward, for

 on account of, for the sake of

/ 4 from, out of

6 minus 3 means 3 taken from 6.

 above, upward, on top of

(  from) above, (from) on top of
commandment
[ irregular plural of ]

= + 
A bat-mitzvah is a daughter of the
commandment
[ cant be holem waw because has shewa]

until, as far as, during

Ath far as
on, upon, on account of, according

The world according to Al.
to
4
because of, on account of
= + = on account of + a thing.
with, together with

lmaan
min /
minmaal
mimmaal
miw
miwt
ad
al
al-dbar
im

mouth, opening

You make a peh sound with your mouth.

{Most nouns that end in 
are masculine}

field, pasture land

{Most nouns that end in 

are masculine}

 under, below, instead of

2011.01.12

taat

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Chapter 7 Hebrew Adjectives

Chapter 7 Hebrew Adjectives

Word

Meaning

one

Mnemonic
I had one, but I lost it.

great, big, large

poor, weak, needy

Translit.
ed
gdl

The Dalit are the poor, weak, needy outcasts of Hinduism.

{Geminate adjective}

dal

The old man walks with za-cane.

zqn

adjective: old
noun: elder
wise, skillful,

experienced
good, pleasant

Get wise by asking how come?

km

Mazel-tov congratulations is literally good-star (good luck)

beautiful
upright, just, level,

straight
so, thus

Tell a beautiful woman Ya faih [Youre fair]

The book of Jashar (Josh 10:13; 2 Sam 1:18) is the book of the
upright
Cain killed Abel, so he was banished.

yp

therefore

little, few
now, after all, at last,

then
righteous, just,

innocent
holiness,

something that is holy
holy, set apart
small, young,

insignificant
near, close
difficult, hard, severe
distant, remote,

far away

kn
lkn
alkn

4 therefore
very, exceedingly

yr

Ma owed the bank very much.

md

Matt has little money.

ma

Atah last! [at last]

att
addq

[This is segholate, so it cant be an adjective]

qde
qd

a kitten is small and young

qn

Karl Rove was close to President George W. Bush.

qrb

Casheh [cash] can be difficult for a student to get!

q
rq

wicked, guilty

In Isa 36:2, the king of Assyria sent the Rab-shakeh (the great high
one) to convince king Hezekiah to surrender.
Toyota made a great many Rav4s. {Geminate adjective}
One shouldnt cheer or say Rah! for evil.
{Geminate adjective}
President Regan thought that Russia was wicked.

song

Cher is singing a song of sheer beauty about shearing sheep.

great, many
bad, evil, wicked

2011.01.12

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ra

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BBH2 Vocabulary

Chapter 8 Hebrew Pronouns

Chapter 8 Hebrew Pronouns

Word

Meaning

Mnemonic

 tent
other, another, foreign

Translit.
hel

A hair from another woman was on his sweater.

ar

# how?

How could you? My heart aches!

how?

How could you? My heart aches!

 thousand

That elephant weighs a thousand pounds.

elep

who, whom, that, which

She gave a share to the one who asked.

er

= + = as + that
as
In Job 40:5, God told Job about the animal called
Behemoth.
Are you also game for it?
We are all from Adams blood line.
Jeffrey Dahmer shed much blood.
Huh?

kaer

as, when
animal(s), beast(s), cattle
also, even
blood

interrogative particle
clean, pure
that, because, but, except, indeed,

truly
4
but, except, only

bhm
gam
dm
h
hr

But she said that it is indeed, truly the key.

= + = but + if
but

k-im

fool, shameless person

ksl

 why?

Why did that llama spit on me?

lmm

why?

Why did that llama spit on me?

lm

What, ma?

Why is it mud-you-want?

madda

Who? Me?
Little Orphan Annie was poor & afflicted by a hardknock life

what?

why?
who?
poor, humble, afflicted

 oil, fat

one who judges, a judge

2011.01.12

n
emen

Show fate = what a judge does to a defendant.

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Chapter 9 Hebrew Pronominal Suffixes

Chapter 9 Hebrew Pronominal Suffixes

Word

Meaning

Mnemonic

 or

 there is not, there are not There are not any; I aint got any.
there is not, there are not There are not any; I aint got any.
Someone cut Tycho Brahes nose off in a duel.
nostril, nose; anger
That was aft [apt] to cause anger.
[  dual of ]
I had to boke her [poke her] to wake her up this morning.
 morning
Booker T Washington got up early in the morning.
cattle, herd
blessing, gift
behold! if

family, clan
war, battle, struggle
around, about,
surroundings, circuit
people

tree, wood

2011.01.12

n
ap
appayim
bqer
bqr
brk

Behold! If you do something heinous, youll be in trouble.

hn
hinn

[F] Is it a sin if you dont take your hat oth [off] for the anthem?

there is, there are

glory, splendor, honor,

abundance
vessel, implement,

weapon

 bread, food
alone, by oneself

ayin

Jeremiahs scribes name, Baruch, means blessed.

behold!
sin, sin offering

Translit.

at

Yesh, there are some bananas here.

In 1 Sam 4:21, a baby was named Ichabod (where is
glory?) because the ark of the covenant had been captured.

Clean out the vessel. Put the cauliflower in the vessel.

kl

Beth-lehem means house of bread.

Leave-ad me alone!
Love had the effect of making them not alone.
I mish paha [miss papa] in our family.
The Hummer H2 is a civilian version of a mil-Humma
(military Hummer) that is used in war.

leem

Savvy people are aware of what happens around them.

sbb

The I am made all people.

am

Its made of wood. Those gates are made of wood.

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kbd

lbad
mip
milm

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BBH2 Vocabulary

Chapter 10 Hebrew Construct Chain

Chapter 10 Hebrew Construct Chain

Word

Meaning

 stone

Mnemonic
[F]

ground, land, earth

enemy

Translit.

Song: Here I raise mine Eben-ezer = stone of help.

They baked with a stone oven.
Related to Adam, the man made from the ground.

eben
dm

Oh, yea[v]! I have an enemy! Oy vey! my enemy is coming!

yb

It was pretty bizarre to eat meat with the skin on.

Moses berated them for bereithing [breaking] the covenant.
covenant
[F]
{This feminine singular noun is marked by the ending}
This is the border of the territory of the Gavool.
border, boundary, territory
The borders gavul [get full] with immigrants.
The Nazi army said Heil Hitler.
strength, wealth, army

{This is NOT a segholate noun because the diphthong 
makes one syllable, not two. See the textbook 3.10}
loyalty, faithfulness,
steadfast love,
lovingkindness
month, new moon
Well have a hoe-down dish [this] month.

br

flesh, meat, skin





hand; side, power

brt
gbl
ayil

esed
de
yd

[F] Put the ball in my hand. Ill run five yards.

[ plural of ]

ydt

Ma weth [went] to heaven upon her death.

{This word looks like it breaks two rules: it is masculine,
 death, dying
[M]
despite the fact that it ends in ,
and it changes in the
construct despite meeting the criteria for a segholate noun}

[MS construct of ]

Whats the matteh with your tribes staff?
staff, rod, tribe
{Most nouns that end in 
are masculine, like this one}

mwet

mt
ma

wilderness, desert, pasture

again, still, as long as
time, point of time

midbr
d

I owed him money again.

[F] Do it for the eighth time.

whole burnt offering

pnm

2011.01.12

Holocaust = a sacrifice that is completely burned up.

{This form is plural, but it means face not faces.}
{The book gives you the plural form. The lexical form is the
face, front
singular , despite the fact that the singular never occurs.}
In Genesis 32:30 Jacob called the place Peni-el because he
[construct of ]
saw the face []
of God []
flock(s),
a flock of sheep and goats playing a zone defense
flock of sheep and goats
On its own, a flock will get lost.
foot
[F] Rigel is a star in the foot of the contellation Orion.

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BBH2 Vocabulary

Chapter 11 Hebrew Numbers

10

Chapter 11 Hebrew Numbers

Word

Meaning

cubit, forearm

Mnemonic

Ahh mah! I hurt my forearm!

amm
{Remember the dagesh, because means female slave}

mother








[F] Dont aim a water balloon at your mother.

The begged-ar [beggar] had little clothing.
clothing, garment, covering
He begged for baggy clothes.
seed, offspring, descendants Is zer-a seed in there? Zera [Sarah] bore Abrahams seed.
courtyard, village,
The cooking made lots of hots-air in the courtyard and
settlement
village.
{This is a masculine singular noun. The 
ending is not
night
[M] the fs noun marker because the 
on this word is not
accented. The fs noun marker is always accented}
therefore
appointed time (of feast),
meeting place, assembly
camp, army
{Most nouns that end in 
are masculine, like this one}

# messenger, angel
work, deed, act
 boy, youth, servant
inheritance, property,


possession
transgression, iniquity, guilt,

punishment (of sin)



2011.01.12

m
beed
zera
r

layl
lkn
md
man

The messenger of the king (# )


I have massive amounts of work to do.
are masculine, like this one}
{Most nouns that end in 

malk

There is nary a youth or servant here.

Sounds a little like necklace, which could be a nice
inheritance.

naar

According to Avon, I have a transgression of fashion.

wn

Carob is a chocolate substitute that is supposed to be better

inner part(s), organ(s), body for the inner parts of your body.
Take care of your organs and body.
in the middle of, among
= + =  in + inner part(s)
Her mother said to use a pizza pan, but however she still
only, still, but, however
only put the pizza directly on the rack.
peace, welfare, wholeness,
deliverance
there, then, at that time
My chamois is there.

continually

Translit.

My tummy is in continually in knots.

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nal

qereb
bqereb
raq
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m
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BBH2 Vocabulary

Chapter 12 Introduction to Hebrew Verbs

11

Chapter 12 Introduction to Hebrew Verbs

Word

Meaning

to eat, consume
to say, mention, think
to go, walk, behave, die, pass
#
away
to be, become, happen, occur
to go out, go forth, come out,
come forth
to sit (down), remain, dwell,

inhabit

to give, put, set

to do, make, create

to see, perceive, understand
to stop, cease, rest

to hear, listen to, understand,

obey

ark, chest, coffin

gift, offering, tribute

Mnemonic
You get a calorie when you eat a California orange.
{1-Guttural}
A marriage begins when you say I do! {1-Guttural}
Because of ha-lack of walking, well die unless we go
exercise. {1-Guttural}
Be a karate kid; say hay-yah! Related to I am
{1-Guttural, 3-}

Translit.
kal
mar
hlak
hy

{1- , 3-}

Sit down when ya shave. Yes have a seat. {1-}

yab

Nathan-el means Gift of God {1-}

ntan

Make us a gift with a saw. {Also means deed}

{1-Guttural, 3-}
Cheer Raaahhh when you see your team score.
{2-Guttural, 3-}
The Israelites were supposed to rest on Shabat [the
Sabbath].
The Shema is Hear O Israel, the LORD our God, the
LORD is one. {3-/}

r
bat
ma

high priest Aaron with the ark

rn

Give a mina as an offering (Greek coin Lk 19)

min

Sabbath, period of rest

abbt

# only, surely, nevertheless

Surely only Achmed can do it.

ak

no, not

Al says no. Rhyme , , not, no.

al

if

Imagine if you could have anything

im

no, not

Lo and behold Not! Sing , , are not and no.

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Chapter 13 Qal Perfect Strong Verbs

12

Chapter 13 Qal Perfect Strong Verbs

Word

Meaning

# to bless

to remember, recall, call to mind,

mention

to be(come) old
to be(come) strong, grow firm, have
courage
to know, know sexually,

have understanding

to be heavy, be honored

Mnemonic
Jeremiah blessed his scribe Baruch.
= blessing. Some view the election of Barack
Obama as a blessing.{like 2-Guttural in some ways}

brak

Remember where you parked za car.

zkar

When you are old, you may need za cane.

{also the noun elder and the adjective old}
{tsere stative verb}
Ha Zach! Youre strong!
{Patach stative verb}
Yadda-yadda-yadda. I know that already!
{1-, 3-/}
= glory, honor, possessions
{tsere stative verb}

to write (upon) register, record

to be full, fill
#

to be(come) king or queen, reign,

rule

to find (out), reach, obtain

to attend, pay attention to, take care
of, number, appoint, visit
to lie down, have sexual intercourse

to send, stretch out

2011.01.12

Translit.

zqn
zaq
yda
kbd
ktab

To be full after a huge feast in Malaysia.

During the melee, the ring was full of wrestlers.
{3-, tsere stative verb}

ml

{#  is king}

mlak

Find the hidden matzo after a Passover meal

{3-}
Captain Jean Luc Picad visiting the planets and
numbering them

m
pqad
kab

Stretch out something before putting on a shellac.

{3-/}

to watch (over), guard, keep, observe,

a shamurai guarding a palace
protect

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Chapter 14 Qal Perfect Weak Verbs

13

Chapter 14 Qal Perfect Weak Verbs

Word

Meaning

to go in, enter, come to

to build (up), build (establish) a

family
to bring forth, bear

Mnemonic
Enter the cave, bow in hand.

Translit.

{biconsonantal, 3- }b
{3- }bn

Build a house from bananas.

Bear a child () 
{1- }ylad
Fear sunburn from ya-rays of the sun.
{1-y, like 2-Guttural in some ways, yr
to fear, be afraid, be in awe of
3-, tsere stative}
Ya rather go down hill.
yrad
to go down, come down, descend
{1- , like 2-Guttural in some ways}
to take, grasp, capture, seize, lay
Take la-cache of treasure.
{3-/ }lqa
hold of
Its a moot point if you die. = death of.
mt
to die
{biconsonantal, stative}
Don fall!
{1- }npal
to fall, fall prostrate, fall upon

to lift, carry, raise, bear (load or

burden), take away

to go up, ascend
to pass over, pass through, pass
by, cross
to stand (up), stand still,

take ones stand

to rise, arise, get up, stand

The NASA rocket lifts a satellite into space.

Go up singing ah la, la la la la.

l
Do Muslims seek to ascend to Allah? {1-Guttural, 3-}
To add a varnish to something, pass over it with a brush.
bar
{1-Guttural}
A mad boy standing and yelling

here, at this place

2011.01.12

{1-Guttural} mad

Jesus told the dead girl, Talitha qum!

qm
which means, little girl, get up!
{biconsonantal}
Cara! Im calling you to read aloud.
qr
{like 2-Guttural in some ways, 3-}

to call, summon, proclaim,

announce, read aloud
to set (up), put, place, lay (upon),

Put it on the seam.

establish
to turn back, return, go back
Shove someone when they turn back.

{1-, 3- }n

We are poor here.

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{biconsonantal} m
{biconsonantal} b
p

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BBH2 Vocabulary

Chapter 15 Qal Imperfect Strong Verbs

14

Chapter 15 Qal Imperfect Strong Verbs

Word

Meaning
to live, be alive, stay alive,
revive, restore to life

to be able, be capable of,

endure, prevail, be
victorious

to cut off, cut down,

make a covenant

to turn aside, turn off, leave

to work, serve, toil, till,

cultivate
to answer, respond, reply,
testify

ear
[F]
noun: ram, ruler

adj: mighty
adj: mighty, valiant, heroic

noun: hero
 a sacrifice
righteousness, righteous act,

justice
north, northern
[F]
then, since, before
also, indeed, even
4 lest, otherwise

2011.01.12

Mnemonic
= living, alive; = life, lifetime
{Dont confuse with to be}

Translit.
{1-guttural, 3-}

Coal advertising: Ya, coal is able to keep your house warm.

{1-, holem stative}
{Cutting is associated with making a covenant because
animals were cut apart in a covenant-making ceremony.}
{like a 2-guttural in some ways}
A sewer pipe turning. {Dont confuse with to wrestle}
{biconsonantal}
=  servant {Dont confuse with to perish}
{1-guttural}
Answer the phone, Anna!
{1-guttural, 3-}
{Dont confuse with to lament}

ykl

krat
sr
bad
n

Dont you hate it when your ears are frozen?

zen

A ram going down the aisle of a grocery store.

ayil

The mighty Zsa Zsa Gabor assaulted a police officer.

gibbr

=  altar

zeba

= righteous, just

dq

Call Santa up North on tsa phone.

Dorothy in Oz, wondering what to do then.
{Distinguish from with strong, strength, and goat}
He even did that also? Thats awful.
{Homograph means nose, nostril, anger}

pn

Use a pen, lest it be erased.

pen

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z
ap

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BBH2 Vocabulary

Chapter 16 Qal Imperfect Weak Verbs

15

Chapter 16 Qal Imperfect Weak Verbs

Word

Meaning

to redeem, deliver,
act as kinsman, avenge
to miss (a goal or mark),

sin, commit a sin

to add, continue

to inherit,
take possession of,
dispossess, take away
someones property
to cover, atone,
make atonement
to spread out, stretch out,
extend, pitch (a tent)
to leave, forsake, abandon,
set free, let go
to approach, draw near,
come near

to be(come) numerous,
be(come) great, increase

to drink
to be(come) complete,
cease, come to an end,

be spent, be consumed,
be burned out

Mnemonic
Jesus redeeming and delivering a gal. Redemption as the goal.
The gal [girl] is my kinsman-redeemer.
= sin, sin-offering
Hatas [haters] sin and miss out.
Gen 30:24 Rachel named him Joseph, saying, May YHWH
add to me another son!
Yes, affirmative; I'll continue adding.

gal

ysap

You're rash to dispossess others and take their inheritance.

yra

Ca-phar sounds like cover.

kpar

Stretch out a net.

I can't believe it's not-a butter spread.
Dorothy leaving Oz avenue
a save [to save] some, we gotta leave/abandon the others.
= near, close
The car have come near.
= great, many
Ravalot is greater than Camelot!
Shuth-tha (Shut the) door and have a drink.
The ice should thaw before you drink.
Have a shot a' somethin' to drink!

n
zab
qrab
rb
t

It has to be complete before you turn it in to t maam.

The Tahmimnator [terminator] will completely end this place.

Cough into the palm of your hand.

hand, palm, sole of foot [F] A farmer holding a calf in the palm of her hand
If you're happy and you know it, cap [clap] your hands!
A true friend is rare.
 friend, companion, neighbor
Rey is my neighbor and friend.
Metaphorically, we all stand naked in front of God.
 opposite, in front of
Opposites negade [negate] each other.

2011.01.12

Translit.

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tmam

kap
ra
need

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BBH2 Vocabulary

Chapter 17 Waw Consecutive

16

Chapter 17 Waw Consecutive

Word

Meaning

Mnemonic

to perish, vanish,
be(come) lost
to love
to gather (in), take in,

take away, destroy
to burn (up), consume

to uncover, reveal, disclose

Translit.

Evade the trap or perish.

bad

Ah have you in my heart, to love you.

To gather the Psalms of Asaph
A saph gathering to make maple syrup
Smokey the Bear consuming burning food.

hab

Reveal the winner at a gala event.

gl

sap
bar

to be clean, be pure
Use t hair brush to be clean. = clean, pure
to (be) complete, be finished,

Call it off when it is complete.
come to an end
to be high, be exalted, rise
Isaiah saw the high, exalted throne room of God.

kl

to judge, decide

pa

truth, fidelity
seat, chair, throne

= judge
[F] Tell the truth or youll end up in a mess.

hr

rm
met

Kiss a throne

kis

Miss par by a number of strokes.

mispr

 ten

Queen Esther with ten maidservants

eer

 sun

Beth Shemesh (a Levitical city) is house of the sun.

eme

number

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BBH2 Vocabulary

Chapter 18 Qal Imperative, Cohortative, and Jussive

17

Chapter 18 Qal Imperative, Cohortative, and Jussive

Word

Meaning

to choose, test, examine

to understand, perceive,

consider
to seek, inquire, investigate,

ask for, require, demand
to kill, slay
to delight in, take pleasure

in, desire, be willing
to be good, be pleasing,
be pleasant, be joyful,
be well with
to be holy, set apart, or

consecrated
to pasture, tend (flocks),

shepherd, feed
to ask (of), inquire (of),

request, demand
owner, master, husband,

(divine title) Baal

 rod, staff, scepter, tribe

Mnemonic

Translit.

To choose to go to a bar

bar

You understand? Thats using the old bean!

bn

Seek to find what caused d rash.

dra

Hazael killed Ben-Hadad with h rag. (2 Kgs 8:15)

hra

Take pleasure in saying Ha! to fate

is also an adjective, meaning good, pleasant.

= holy.

qda

Flocks grazing are raw meat

King Sauls name perhaps has the sense you asked for it!

al

The name of the idol Baal means master.

baal

The staff of your tribe? Shave it!

be

 behind, through

Bad guys sneaking up from behind

baad

behind, through

Bad guys sneaking up from behind

Yawning at someones excuse It happened on account of

bad

Please now may I have it?

 on account of

2011.01.12

please, now; surely;

particle often not translated

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BBH2 Vocabulary

Chapter 19 Pronominal Suffixes on Verbs

18

Chapter 19 Pronominal Suffixes on Verbs

Word

Meaning

to trust, be confident,
rely (upon)
to weep (in grief or joy),

weep for
to put on a garment, clothe,

be clothed
to burn (completely),

destroy

Mnemonic

Translit.

It is betta to trust.

ba

Weep a bakah (bucket) of tears.

Buck off, can't you see I'm crying!

bk

La vash (wash) the clothing.

lba

The seraphs are burning creatures.

{Note that it is the letter sin , not shin }

rap

fiery serpent

{Note that it is the letter sin , not shin }

rp

to be complete, be finished

= peace, welfare, wholeness, deliverance

Imagine a multiple-generation family of doors.
Endure for generations.
The huts are outside, in the street.
Take your chutzpa outside.
My lack o work is a problem.
{Beware # messenger, angel. Malachi = my
messenger}
A pair of bulls.

lm

generation
outside, street
work, occupation, service
bull, ox, steer

 opening, entrance, doorway

multitude, abundance,

= great, many
greatness
She suffered from a paper cut on her lip.
So far my lips are sealed. The shore only goes so far.
lip, language, edge, shore
{ Note that it is the letter sin , not shin }

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par
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rb
p

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BBH2 Vocabulary

Chapter 20 Qal Infinitive Construct

19

Chapter 20 Qal Infinitive Construct

Word

Meaning

Mnemonic

Translit.

to seize, grasp, take

Seize someone, saying, I has you now!

az

to be(come) unclean
to form, fashion, shape,

create
to flee, escape

Imagine Tammy with mud all over her (unclean).

Yachts are formed, fashioned, shaped, and created.

yar

Flee a hangmans noose.

ns

No gal has ever touched or reached that record before.

Turn around! Savav [save] yourself!
Turn around and go to Save Ave.
= around, about, surroundings, circuit

na

to count

Suffering while counting lots of stuff. =  scroll, book

spar

to rejoice, be joyful, be glad

Rejoicing & kissing (smack!) my spouse

{ Note that it is the letter sin , not shin }

ma

Shove er and shell break.

bar

to touch, strike, reach

to turn, go around, march

around, surround

to break (up), break in

pieces, smash, shatter
together, at the same time

sbab

yadw


together, along with

yaad

 wine
work, labor, service,

worship
work, labor, service,


worship
congregation, assembly

yayin

not, except
not, except

2011.01.12

=  servant.

Avoid a work.

bd

=  servant.

Avoid a work.

bd

Pastors aid a congregation. Edify the congregation.

Its not built t last.

bilt

= +

lbilt

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Chapter 21 Qal Infinitive Absolute

20

Chapter 21 Qal Infinitive Absolute

Word

Meaning

Mnemonic
=  sacrifice. =  altar.
Za vacuum must be sacrificed.
Hannabel encamping around a city
Chunna (gonna) camp here?
Noah sounds like rest (see Gen 5:29)
a new apartment to settle down in
NASA enabled the astronauts to depart for their journey into
space.
Lt. Schultz (Hogans Heroes) departs, saying I see nothing!
Turn the knob to heat the pan.

to slaughter, sacrifice

to decline, camp, encamp,

lay seige to

to rest, settle down

to pull (out or up), set out,
start out, depart, journey,
march
to turn
to open
to pursue, follow after,

chase, persecute

Open a path.
bull pursuing someone with a red F shirt
Rud after him in pursuit! (said with a stuffy nose)
God makes it sunny even for people who hate him.
Sunny days? He hates em!
{ Note that it is the letter sin , not shin }
Remain in the shaar (shower).
{Dont confuse with
 gate}

to hate

to remain, be left over,

survive

( cultic) high place, hill

Its a bumma to climb the hill.

The statute against underage smoking includes using a
hookah.

statute, ordinance


[Plural of ]

[Plene spelling]
[Plural of ]

[Defective spelling]

right hand, south

dwelling place, tabernacle

Translit.

[F]

zba
n
na
nsa
pn
pta
rdap
n

ar
bm
uqq
uqqt
uqqt

Ya mean my right hand?

Benjamin ( + ) means son of my right hand
Chapter 22: = to settle, abide, reside, dwell, inhabit

ymn


stream, brook, wadi

I can no haul stuff through the stream.

mikn
naal

famine, hunger

Ravenous hunger during a famine

rb

[ adj] hungry

I am ravenously hungry.

rb

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BBH2 Vocabulary

Chapter 22 Qal Participle

21

Chapter 22 Qal Participle

Word

Meaning

Mnemonic

Translit.

to curse

A curse: May you hear a raar of a lion coming to eat you.

rar

to be ashamed
to grow up, be(come) great,
become strong, wealthy or
important
to think, consider, devise,

plan, value, esteem, reckon
to be well with, go well with,

be pleasing
to take, capture, catch, seize
to draw near, come near,

approach
to collect, gather, assemble

Be ashamed after boashing [boasting].

= great, big, large

gdal

Shave so that people regard you well

ab

= good, pleasant

yab

Seize la CAD database (an engineering term).

lkad

Draw near to examine a knee gash.

na

He covets stuff and gathers it.

qba

to bury
Bury someone by covering with dirt
to settle, abide, reside, dwell,
She can settle here.

inhabit
to pour (out), spill,
#
shed (blood)
A mouse whose home is in the wall


wall
A homa (coma) puts a mental wall around a person
statute, appointed time,

= statute, ordinance
portion

 lamb, sheep
{ Note that it is the letter sin , not shin }

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qbar
kan
pak
m
q
kebe

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BBH2 Vocabulary

Chapter 23 Issues of Sentence Syntax

22

Chapter 23 Issues of Sentence Syntax

Word

Meaning

light, daylight, sunshine

Mnemonic
An orb of light.

firstborn [defective spelling] Their firstborn son worked as a baker.

firstborn

[plene spelling] Their firstborn son worked as a baker.

wrath, heat, poison

Hey, ma! Thats poison!

half, middle

Translit.
r
bkr
bkr
m

strength, power

ka

chief, leader, prince

2 Kgs 18:4 Hezekiah broke in pieces the bronze serpent

that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel net
had made offerings to it (it was called Nehushtan).
n

 evening, sunset

The air of the evening is nice.

Imagine Lawrence of Aravia [Arabia] riding into the sunset.

 copper, bronze

 bone, skeleton
fruit, offspring
assembly, community,

crowd
chariot, upper millstone,
(  collective) chariots or
chariot riders
tongue, language
abomination, abhorrence,

offensive thing

2011.01.12

ereb
eem

Eat lots of fruit in Paris, especially pears.

pr

Ca-hall [call] the people to the assembly.

qhl
rekeb

Dont use your tongue to lash out on anyone.

ln
tb

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BBH2 Vocabulary

Chapter 24 The Niphal Stem Strong Verbs

23

Chapter 24 The Niphal Stem Strong Verbs

(N) = Niphal, (P) = Piel, (H) = Hiphil
Word
Meaning

(N) to be reliable, be faithful,

be trustworthy
(N) to be delivered,
be victorious, receive help
(N) to be left over, remain
(N) to be established,
be steadfast, be ready
(N) to fight, do battle with

( N) to escape, flee to safety

(N) to be sorry, regret,

have compassion
(H) to strike, smite, beat,

strike dead, destroy, injure

(N) to stand (firm),

take ones stand

(N) to be rescued,
be delivered
(N) to be hidden,
hide oneself
(N) to be extraordinary,
be wonderful, be too difficult
to run
(P, H) to ruin, destroy, spoil,
annihilate
(N) to be exterminated,
be destroyed, be annihilated

2011.01.12

Mnemonic

Translit.

Our word Amen is from the adverb , meaning truly

man

Joshua = + = YHWH is salvation

ya

Is there any pizza left over? Ya, there.

ytar

That coon (raccoon) is steadfast and ready in that tree

kn

They fight over

 (bread)

lam

Escape, my lad!

mla

I am sorry, but we have no ham to sell you.

nam

Exclaim Na-Ha! as smite someone with sword.

nk

In the Battle of the Bulge, the 101st airborne took their stand
defending the city of Bastogne in Belgium. When the
Germans demanded surrender, General McAuliffe answered,
Nuts!
The city of Bastogne (famous for Nuts!) was all delivered
by the 3rd army under General Patton.

nab

nal

To hide a satyr

star

That palace is extraordinary and wonderful.

pl

A plant cant run because it has roots.

r
at

I am sho mad at the cockroaches that they will be

exterminated.

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BBH2 Vocabulary

Chapter 25 The Niphal Stem Weak Verbs

24

Chapter 25 The Niphal Stem Weak Verbs

Word

Meaning

to turn, overturn,
overthrow, destroy
to commit fornication,
be a harlot (prostitute),
be unfaithful
to be(come) hot,
burn with anger,
become angry
#

to be bad, be evil,
be displeasing

to satisfy, be satiated,
eat or drink ones fill

to forget

Mnemonic
Overturn the case with ha fact (a fact).

hpak

That zana [zone] of town is where people commit

prostitution.

zn

Im angry that they cheated,

so I wont say Harrah! that they won.
[Note that it starts with Het , not He h]

hr

= bad, evil, wicked

ra

Im savang (saving) up to go to the all-you-can-eat

restaurant where I will eat and drink my fill until I am
satiated.
I shake my pockets looking for my keys
when I forget where put then.

to be deserted,
be uninhabited,
be desolated
man, male

ba
ka
mm

That man is driving za car.

A man needs to remember [ ] certain things.
{ = to remember, recall, call to mind, mention}

# darkness
open land, pasture

Translit.

zkr
ek

That MIG is rash to fly over a pasture.

mir

# =  king, ruler

mamlk

river, stream


= stream, brook, wadi

nhr

 righteousness, equity

= righteous, just, innocent

edeq

shepherd

{Most nouns that end in 

are masculine, like this one}

kingdom, dominion, reign

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BBH2 Vocabulary

Chapter 26 The Piel Stem Strong Verbs

25

Chapter 26 The Piel Stem Strong Verbs

(N) = Niphal, (P) = Piel, (H) = Hiphil
Word
Meaning
(P) to seek, search for,
discover, demand, require
( P) to speak

( P) to praise, sing hallelujah

( H) to thank, praise, confess

Mnemonic
Seek and demand bcash (the cash).

bqa

= word, matter, thing

dbar

Hallelujah = 4 = + = praise! + Yahweh

hlal

[Distinguish from = to know, know sexually,

have understanding]

yd

to cover, conceal, hide;

[Distinguish from = seat, chair, throne]
(P) to cover (up), clothe
(P) to hasten, hurry,

go or come quickly
(N) to prophesy, be in a state Nava (never) doubt the words of Isaiah the prophet.

= prophet
of prophetic ecstasy

( P) to look (at), gaze, behold

to shut, close
(P) to command,

give an order, charge
(P) to make a sacrifice go up
in smoke, offer (a sacrifice)
by burning
to sing
to set, put, place
(P) to minister, serve,

attend to the service of God

2011.01.12

Translit.

ks
mhar
nb
nba

Shut the lid of the cigar case.

sar

= host, army, war, service

Imagine people making sacrifices go up in smoke in the

country of Qatar.

qar

is also a noun meaning song.

Sing a song of sheer beauty about shearing sheep by Cher!
Place the sword in its sheath.

r
t
rat

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Chapter 27 The Piel Stem Weak Verbs

26

Chapter 27 The Piel Stem Weak Verbs

(N) = Niphal, (P) = Piel, (H) = Hiphil
Word
Meaning

to sojourn, dwell as a
foreigner or alien
to advise, counsel, plan,
decide
to learn;
(P) to teach
to rule, reign, govern,
have dominion
to sell, hand over
to help, assist,
come to the aid of
(P) to afflict, oppress,
humiliate, violate
to be small, be insignificant,
be swift;
(N, P) to declare cursed
to get, acquire, buy

Mnemonic

Translit.
gr

Ya ats (You ask) me to advise you.

ya

Lamad (Lamed) is one of the Hebrew letters you have to

learn or to teach.

lmad

Ma shall rule.

mal

Sell ma car and hand over the keys.

mkar

) = + = Yah(weh) helps.
Azariah (

zar

{Dont confuse with = clouds, cloud mass}

n
qlal

Can ah (I) buy it?

qn

to mount and ride, ride

=  chariot

rkab

to slaughter

The shot of the gun slaughtered them.

sister, relative, loved one [F] = brother

wing, edge, extremity

t
knp

pillar, column, tent pole

= to stand (up), stand still, take ones stand

ammd

 lie, deception, falsehood

A sheckered (checkered) version of the truth is a lie.

eqer

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BBH2 Vocabulary

Chapter 28 The Pual Stem Strong Verbs

27

Chapter 28 The Pual Stem Strong Verbs

(H) = Hiphil
Word

Meaning

Mnemonic

to tie, bind, fetter, imprison

to cry (out), call for help,
summon
to see, behold, perceive

to be(come) weak or tired,

be(come) sick
to be gracious to,

show favor to, favor

to refuse, reject, despise

to be awake, stir up
to lay out, set in rows,
# arrange, stack (wood),
draw up a battle formation
to wash, bathe
(H) to understand,
comprehend, have insight,
make wise, have success
vision, sight, appearance
 south, Negev
dust, dry earth
 foot, pace, time

2011.01.12

Translit.

It was a sarry (sorry) sight to see him tied, bound, fettered,

and imprisoned.

sar

Zack cried out, called for help, and summoned the police.

zaq

Hazzah! (Huzzah!). I finally see him!

Hallah (holler) if you become weak or tired.
{Dont confuse with ( = P) to praise, sing hallelujah}
The people of Hainan Dao (the big island south of China)
were gracious to us.

z
l
nan
mas

Leaving Ur caused Abram to be awake and stired him up.

A rack is where we should lay out the shish kebabs, set them
in rows, and arrange them for the grill.

rak

Rahats! (rats!) I have to wash again.

ra

A Maskil ()
is a type of psalm (e.g., Psalm 32).
It might mean a song that makes wise (i.e., wisdom song).

kal

= to see, perceive, understand

{Most nouns that end in 
are masculine, like this one}

mar

The Negev is the dry, south part of Israel.

neeb

That dust blew from afar.

Pam is tapping her foot because our pace takes too much
[F]
time.

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Chapter 29 The Pual Stem Strong Verbs

28

Chapter 29 The Pual Stem Strong Verbs

Word

Meaning

to remain overnight,
spend the night, stay, dwell
to smear, anoint

Mnemonic
Spend the night in a lean-to.

to keep watch, watch over,

guard, protect, preserve

stranger, sojourner, alien

animal, beast
fat;
(  metaphorically) best,
choice part

donkey
 rest, remainder, excess
skin, hide, leather
strength, power, might
transgression, rebellion,

crime
end, border, outskirts
joy, gladness

2011.01.12

blameless, perfect, honest,

devout

ln
ma

anointed one, Messiah

Translit.

ma
Nuts are keeping watch, guarding us.
{Distinguish from to stand firm and to be rescued}
Gary is a stranger.
{ = to sojourn, dwell as a foreigner or alien}

nar
gr

= to live, be alive, stay alive, revive, restore to life

ayy

He levt (left) the fat portions, the best part for the sacrifice.

leb

Homer is riding a donkey while reciting the Iliad.

Some people were looking for hamor (a more) regal king than mr
one who came riding on a donkey.
yeter
Yeth, there (Yes, there) is the rest.
Gortex is better than leather to cover your skin in the rain.
r
{Distinguish from = light, daylight, sunshine}
{Dont confuse with strong, = then, since, or goat}
He said Pe-shaw to the law by committing a transgression
or crime.
She catseh (cuts) off the end of the cloth to make a border.
are masculine, like this one}
{Most nouns that end in 

z
pea
q

= to rejoice, be joyful, be glad

im

= to be(come) complete, cease, come to an end,

be spent, be consumed, be burned out

tmm

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Chapter 30 The Hiphil Stem Strong Verbs

29

Chapter 30 The Hiphil Stem Strong Verbs

(N) = Niphal, (P) = Piel, (H) = Hiphil
Word
Meaning

#





(N) to be defiled, defile

oneself;
(P) to profane, defile;
(H) to let something be
profaned, begin
(H) to tell, announce, report,
declare, inform
(N) to swear, take an oath;
(H) to plead with someone
(H) to send, throw (down,
into or away), cast
knowledge, understanding,
ability
[F]
door
[F]
multitude, crowd, sound,
roar
arm, forearm;
(metaphorically) strength,
power
[F]
cherub

Mnemonic

Translit.

{Dont confuse with ( = P) to praise, sing hallelujah}

lal

1 Sam 19:24 reports that Saul lay naked all day and night.
{Dont confuse with =  opposite, in front of}

nad
ba

Send it there to get a shellac put on it.

{Dont confuse with = to send, stretch out}

lak

= to know, know sexually, have understanding

daat
delet
hmn

Za rowa (The rower) used her arm.

zra
krb

 vineyard

kerem
# =  king, ruler
{Distinguish from # = messenger and = work}

malkt

counsel, plan, advice

Ates (Its) good advice.

pierced, slain, defiled

{Distinguish from ( = N) to be defiled, }

ll

unclean

is also the verb to be(come) unclean

2011.01.12

kingdom, dominion,
royal power

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Chapter 31 The Hiphil Stem Weak Verbs

30

Chapter 31 The Hiphil Stem Weak Verbs

Word

Meaning

Mnemonic

Translit.

Hosea 10:8 The high places of Aven ( = wickedness),

the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed.

iniquity, wickedness,
evildoer
treasure, treasury,

storehouse
sign, mark, pledge

wen
r
t

This is the sign of my oath.

lot, portion, allotment

grl

salvation, help, deliverance Joshua 

means YHWH is salvation.

cattle, livestock, property {Most nouns that end in 

are masculine, like this one}
watch, guard,

= to watch (over), guard, keep, observe, protect
responsibility
[F]
 mark, plague, affliction
{Distinguish from = to touch, strike, reach}
adversary, enemy

miqn
mimeret
nega
ar

The Tsar was a formidable adversary.

 east, ancient times

qedem
In Mark 7:11, Jesus accused the Pharisees and scribes of
allowing people to declare things as corban (gifts to God) as
a way of avoiding supporting their parents.
qorbn
{The 
in is Qamets Hatuf because it is closed and
unaccented.}

gift, offering

Chapter 32 The Hophal Stem Strong Verbs

Word

Meaning

Mnemonic

Translit.

 cedar

{Distinguish from =  land, earth, ground}

erez

rock, boulder

{Distinguish from = to turn aside, turn off, leave}

 horn
 bow, weapon

[F] Karen has a horn in her forehead!

qeren

[F]

qeet

Chapter 33 The Hophal Stem Weak Verbs

Word

Meaning

 belly, stomach, womb

 vanity, futility, breath

Mnemonic
[F] Belly beten (button)
The vanity and futility of life weigh heavily on the speaker in
Ecclesiastes. Eccl 1:14 All is vanity () .


reproach, disgrace, shame

east, sunrise

2011.01.12

Translit.
been
hebel
erp

[Note that the final consonant is Het , not Hey h]

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BBH2 Vocabulary

Chapter 34 The Hithpael Stem Strong Verbs

31

Chapter 34 The Hithpael Stem Strong Verbs

Word

Meaning

sanctuary
flying creatures, birds,

insects
to fly
goat, goats hair
(Hithpael) to pray,
make intercession
wall

Mnemonic
=  holiness, something that is holy. = holy

Translit.
miqd
p
p

{Distinguish from strong, strength, and = then,

since}

z
plal

Do you kir (care) what color I paint the wall?

 trumpet, rams horn

qr
pr

Chapter 35 The Hithpael Stem Weak Verbs

Word

Meaning

iron

Mnemonic

Translit.

Pumping iron barzel (bars).

barzel

She was unjustly accused, but the witness came to her aid.

distress, anxiety, trouble

Sarah is in distress.

ox, bull, cow

Shure, you can borrow my ox.

witness

table
prayer

2011.01.12

uln
Tefillin are phylacteries, worn during prayer.

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tpill

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