Nouns

NounsNounsAccording to their origin or derivation, Hebrew nouns may be divided into three classesPrimitive nouns are those for which no known derivation exists. The vast majority of Hebrew nouns are derived from verbs.A few Hebrew nouns are derived from other nounsPrimitive nouns are those for which no known derivation exists fatherdaysonmothernight

handbloodmouthname

The vast majority of Hebrew nouns are derived from verbswordseedkingservantbirddoorhopehe spokehe sowedhe ruledhe servedto flyhe openedhe hopedA few Hebrew nouns are derived from other nounsa herdsmana vinedresserIsraeliteEgyptiana herda vineyardIsraelEgyptNouns: GenderHebrew nouns are either masculine or feminine (no neuter)The only way to determine the gender of a noun is to look it up in a dictionary.Masculine nouns are the most difficult to identify since they do not follow any set pattern

Masculine NounsGenerally, masculine singular nouns are unmarked, i.e., without an ending to indicate masculine genderKingDayGoldTempleFirstbornFeminine NounsFeminine nouns are somewhat easier to identifyNouns referring to female persons or animals will feminineNouns ending in will normally be feminine in genderA few nouns are made feminine by the addition of to the masculine form of the nounNouns ending in will ordinarily be feminineNouns that refer to parts of the body that exist in pairs are usually feminineNames of cities and countries are feminine Nouns referring to female persons or animals will femininemotherdaughterwomanqueenmareNouns ending in will normally be feminine in gender

ground, earthcattlefooddry landyearlaw, instructionFeminine NounsThe feminine singular ending draws the primary accentmarelittle girlMasculine Nouns with Feminine Singular EndingnightA few nouns are made feminine by the addition of to the masculine form of the noun (king)+= (queen)(prophet) + = (prophetess)(youth) += (maiden)(horse) += (mare)(prince) += (princess)Nouns ending in will ordinarily be femininesisterdaughterknowledgetimedoorsinbowNouns that refer to parts of the body that exist in pairs are usually feminine

handeyefootParts of the body which are not duplicated are masculineNoseMouthHeartNames of cities and countries are feminine

ZionAssyiraA few nouns attest both masculine and feminine genderway, roadNouns: NumberThere are three categories of number to be considered in connection with Hebrew nouns. They are:SingularPluralDualNouns: NumberMost singular nouns are not identifiable by their endings, as can seen from the previous examples under the discussion of genderPlural nouns have special endings that generally correspond to their genderUnfortunately, plural nouns are not formed simply by adding special endings to singular forms, but singular forms themselves often undergo changes when plural endings are added.Masculine Plural EndingsMost masculine nouns have plurals that end in

Horse

Horses

Tree24

Trees25

Mountain26

Mountains27

Book28

Books29Words

Word31Kings

King33Men

Man35Days

Day37Sons

Son39Masculine Plural EndingsA few masculine nouns have plurals that end in This is the ending normally used for feminine plurals

Father

Fathers

Place

Places

Voice

Voices

Name

NamesFeminine Plural EndingsMost feminine nouns have plurals that end in

Mare

Mares

Law

LawsCommandments

Commandmentspirits

SpiritMothers

MotherDaughters

DaughterLiving Beings

Living BeingLands

EarthNames of things productive, the elements, unseen essences are feminine (Note these do not end in )EarthFireSunSpiritSoulFeminine Plural EndingsA few feminine nouns have plurals that end in Which is the ending normally used for the masculine pluralswomancitywomencitiesNouns with both masculine and feminine plural endingsA few nouns have two plural endingsorgenerationgenerations (f) oryearyearsDual NounsThe third number classification for Hebrew is the dualIt is used to designate things that occur in pairs, especially the organs of the bodyDual NounsThe dual ending is normally written

Ear

Ears

Hand

Hands

Wing

Wings

Balances(No singular)

Shoe

Shoes

Eye

Eyes

Horn

Horns

Foot

Feet

Lip

LipsSome nouns appear to have a dual ending without any dual meaningwatersky, heavensJerusalemEgypt