Construct Chains Flashcards
What are the two ‘states’ of nouns?
1 absolute; 2 construct
What is the word we use in English that the Construct Chain accomplishes in Biblical Hebrew?
of; as in ‘the son OF the man’
In a construct chain, which noun will be in absolute state:
the LAST noun in the chain
How many nouns may be in a construct chain?
Theoretically any number, in practice seldom more than 3 or 4, most commonly just 2.
Which nouns can take the definite article in a construct chain?
Only the final, absolute noun.
Which nouns are definite without the article?
Proper nouns
If the final noun in a construct chain is definite, how much of the chain is definite?
The whole chain is definite.
Can a construct chain be used to express ‘of’ relationships between mixed definite and indefinite nouns?
no
How are nouns linked with mixed definite and indefinites?
Using the preposition לְ
How would ‘The son of Jesse’ be expressed:
בֵּן־יִשַׁי
How would ‘a son of Jesse’ be expressed?
בֵּן לְיִשַׁי Jesse being proper, therefore definite,
בֵּן being in absolute state
Where do adjectives that modify a member of the construct chain appear?
At the end of (after) the entire chain.
“The house of the good womah”
בֵּית הָאִישָּׁה הַטּוֹבָה
“The good house of the woman”
בֵּית הָאִישָּׁה הַטּוֹב
adjective masculine, modifying ‘house,’ not ‘woman’
What is the typical accentuation within a construct chain?
The construct noun will normally have a conjunctive accent, often מֻנַּח ֣
