BBH Chapter 11 — Hebrew Numbers

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Basics of Biblical Hebrew, Pratico & Van Pelt, Chapter 11

1. Introduction

Hebrew numbers are among the most complex features of the language. Unlike most elements of Hebrew grammar, the cardinal numbers 3–10 exhibit gender polarity: the form ending in ה (the "feminine" form) is used with masculine nouns, and the form without ה (the "masculine" form) is used with feminine nouns. This counterintuitive pattern is a notorious feature of Biblical Hebrew and must be memorized.

• Numbers 1–2 agree normally in gender with the noun they modify.
• Numbers 3–10 are cross-gendered: the ה-form goes with masculine nouns; the non-ה-form goes with feminine nouns.
• Numbers 11 and above follow more regular patterns.

Mnemonic: Numbers 3–10 are "backwards" — they wear the wrong gender's clothing. The ה that normally marks feminine is here attached to forms that go with masculine nouns.

2. Cardinal Numbers 1–10

The table below shows both forms of each number. Column headers reflect which noun-gender each form accompanies.

Gender Polarity — The Core Rule

The "feminine" form (with ה-ending) is used with masculine nouns.
The "masculine" form (without ה-ending) is used with feminine nouns.

Examples:
- שְׁלֹשָׁה אֲנָשִׁים — "three men" (אֲנָשִׁים is masculine plural; therefore שְׁלֹשָׁה, the ה-form)
- שָׁלֹשׁ נָשִׁים — "three women" (נָשִׁים is feminine plural; therefore שָׁלֹשׁ, the non-ה-form)
- שִׁבְעָה יָמִים — "seven days" (יָמִים is masculine plural; therefore שִׁבְעָה)
- שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים — "seven years" (שָׁנִים is feminine plural; therefore שֶׁבַע)

Syntax Notes for 1–10

• Number 1 (אֶחָד / אַחַת): Normally follows the noun and agrees in gender. Functions like an adjective: אִישׁ אֶחָד ("one man"), אִשָּׁה אַחַת ("one woman").
• Number 2 (שְׁנַיִם / שְׁתַּיִם): The noun typically appears in the dual form if the noun has one. Construct forms (שְׁנֵי / שְׁתֵּי) are used in bound phrases: שְׁנֵי הָאֲנָשִׁים ("the two men").
• Numbers 3–10: The number may precede or follow the noun. The noun is in the plural (usually absolute, sometimes construct).

3. Cardinal Numbers 11–19 (Teens)

The teens are formed by combining the unit number with a form of עֶשֶׂר/עָשָׂר ("ten"). The polarity pattern continues for the unit portion of 13–19.

Pattern: The teens use:
- עָשָׂר (masculine form of ten) with masculine nouns
- עֶשְׂרֵה (feminine form of ten) with feminine nouns

For 13–19, the unit portion still shows gender polarity: the ה-form of the unit goes with masculine nouns, the non-ה-form goes with feminine nouns.

Syntax: The noun following a teen number is usually singular (not plural), e.g., שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר שֵׁבֶט ("twelve tribes" — singular שֵׁבֶט, not plural שְׁבָטִים).

4. Cardinal Numbers 20–100 (Tens)

The tens are the masculine plural forms of the corresponding unit numbers. They do not show gender polarity — the same form is used with both masculine and feminine nouns.

Compound numbers (e.g., 23): the tens come first, then the units with the conjunction ו: עֶשְׂרִים וּשְׁלֹשָׁה ("twenty-three men") or עֶשְׂרִים וְשָׁלֹשׁ ("twenty-three women").

5. Larger Numbers

Construction: Larger numbers are built additively from largest to smallest:
- אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה — "forty years"
- אֶלֶף וּשְׁמֹנֶה מֵאוֹת — "one thousand eight hundred" (1,800)

6. Syntax of Numbers

Additional syntax notes:
- The construct form of numbers (e.g., שְׁנֵי, שְׁלֹשֶׁת, עֶשֶׂרֶת) is used when the number precedes a definite noun: שְׁלֹשֶׁת הַיְלָדִים ("the three children").
- When numbers follow the noun they modify, they function attributively: יָמִים שִׁשָּׁה ("six days").
- Ordinal numbers are used for first–tenth; cardinal numbers typically serve as ordinals from eleventh onward.

7. Ordinal Numbers

Ordinals (first, second, etc.) are used for first through tenth. Beyond tenth, Hebrew uses cardinal numbers in ordinal contexts.

Syntax of ordinals:
- Ordinals function as attributive adjectives: they follow the noun and agree in gender, number, and definiteness.
- בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי — "on the seventh day" (the ordinal שְּׁבִיעִי follows and agrees with יוֹם)
- בַּחֹדֶשׁ הָרִאשׁוֹן — "in the first month"

Note on רִאשׁוֹן: This ordinal is also a common adjective meaning "former" or "first (in a series)" beyond strict numeric contexts.

8. Key Terms

9. Practice