Ch. 10; Construct Chain

Question 1

How is definiteness and indefiniteness determined in a construct chain

Answer 1

1. They are either all definite or indefinite
2. only the absolute noun can take the article
3. If the absolute noun is definite so are all the constructs nouns; if it is indefinite so are all the construct nouns

Question 2

Besides nouns appearing next to each other, how else can the construct chain be constructed?

Answer 2

with the Maqqef
מֶ֫לֶךְ כָּל־הָאָ֫רֶץ
the king /of/ all /of/ the earth

Question 3

How are adjectives used in a construct chain? Whether it is modifying the construct or absolute noun?

Answer 3

1. It must follow the entire chain

2. It must agree with the noun it modifies in gender, number, and definiteness

Question 4

One example of an adjective with a construct chain

Answer 4

דְּבַר הַמַּלְכָּה הַטּוֹב

“The good word of the queen” (the adjective is masculine singular, modifying the construct noun)

Question 5

A second example of an adjective with a construct chain

Answer 5

דְּבַר הַמַּלְכָּה הַטּוֹבָה

“The word of the good queen” (The adjective is feminine singular, modifying the absolute noun)

Question 6

How are demonstrative adjectives used in a construct chain? Whether it is modifying the construct or absolute noun?

Answer 6

1. It must follow the entire chain

2. It must agree with the noun it modifies in gender, number, and definiteness

Question 7

How can adjectives be used substantivally in a construct state?

Answer 7

1. They just replace a noun
   חֲכַם־לֵב
   Wise of heart

Question 8

In the construct state, what happens to changeable long vowels in a final closed syllable?

Answer 8

They reduce to a short vowel because the syllable becomes unaccented
בֶּן < בֵּן
מִדְבַּר < מדְבָּר
(with a few words, Tsere reduces to Pathach in a final closed syllable)

Question 9

In the construct state, what happens to changeable long vowels in a open syllable?

Answer 9

They reduce to a Vocal Shew or Hateph Pathach with gutturals because the syllable moves into the propretonic position
נְבִיא < נָבִיא
הֲמוֹן < הָמוֹן

Question 10

In the construct state explain why the following vowels are reduced
דְּבַר < דָּבָר

Answer 10

1. The Qamets reduces to a vocal Shewa because it is now in an open propretonic syllable
2. The Qamets reduces to a Pathach because it is now in a closed unaccented syllable

Question 11

In the construct state explain why the following vowels changes with plural nouns
בִּרְכוֹת < בְּרָכוֹת

Answer 11

1. The Qamets under the Resh reduced to a vocal Shewa

2. The two vocal Shewa contracted to a Hireq - Silent Shewa in accordance with the first rule of Shewa

Question 12

In the construct state, what happens to feminine nouns that end in a Qamets He?

Answer 12

They will change to a Pathach Taw

תּוֹרַת < תּוֹרָה

Question 13

In the construct state, what happens to the masculine plural and dual endings (Hireq Yod Mem)?

Answer 13

They change to Tsere Yod

בְּנֵי < בָּנִים

Question 14

In the construct state, what happens to feminine plural nouns?

Answer 14

They do not change their ending

Question 15

In the construct state, what happens to the masculine nouns ending with Seghol He?

Answer 15

They change to a Tsere He

שְׂדֵה < שָׂדֶה

Question 16

In the construct state, what happens when certain (not all!) singular monosyllabic nouns?

Answer 16

They add a Hireq Yod to their stem (this also occurs when these same nouns take pronominal suffices [9.9]; be careful not to confuse this Hireq Yod with the 1cs pronominal suffix

Question 17

In the construct state, what happens to plural Segholate nouns (remember that these all take the vowels Vocal/Hateph and Qamets)?

Answer 17

1. The Vocal Shewa/Hateph will change to a short vowel instead
2. If a Hateph it will take the corresponding short vowel; if a V. Shewa it will take a Hireq

Question 18

In the construct state, what happens to the AY and AW diphthong

Answer 18

1. AY = Tsere Yod
2. AW = Holem Waw
   בֵּית < בַּ֫יִת
   מוֹת < מָ֫וֶת

Question 19

In the construct state, what happens to monosyllabic nouns with an unchangeable long vowel (Holem Waw, Shureq, Hireq Yod) and singular Segholate nouns?

Answer 19

They have no spelling changes (context must determine if they are in the construct state)

Question 20

What is the most common way that Hebrew constructs the a superlative?

Answer 20

The use of an adjective that has been made definite by the definite article, a pronominal suffix, or the construct state (context will the determiner)

Question 21

What is another way that Hebrew uses the construct chain to create a superlative idea?

Answer 21

1. two nouns in a construct chain where the construct noun is singular and the absolute noun is plural and definite
2. The two nouns must be the same
   “The holy of holies” = “the most holy place”