Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Vowels: A Comprehensive Overview

Hebrew Vowels
CHAPTER 2
Introduction to Biblical Hebrew
 
Vowels (Niqqud) added by the Masoretes (500-1000 AD)
Earlier:  vowel letters added, matres lectionis (mothers of
reading)
 
 
 
א
 
  and 
ה
  = 
a-class vowels
 
 
  
י
  
for e-class and i-class vowels
       
ו
 
 
for o-class and u-class vowels
 Short, Long and half-vowels
 Ketiv 
(
כְּתִיב
) 
what is written;  Qere 
(
קְרֵי
) 
what is read
 
Vowels  -- a-class
               
 
Long 
  
 
Short
 
 
  
Half
 
 
 
  
     (reducible)
a
   
  
אָ
 
 
 
  
 
    
אַ 
 
  
   
אֲ
 
  
 
    Qāmeṣ 
  
    Pataḥ  
 
   Ḥatēf-pataḥ     
               ā  in far          a in far    
 
ă
 in attach
Vowels  -- e-class
               
 
Long 
  
 
Short
 
 
  
Half
 
 
     (reducible)
e
   
   
אֵ
   
אֶ  
 
  
   
אֱ
                  Ṣerê 
 
    Seghôl
  
Ḥatēf-Seghôl
               ē in they    e in set     
ĕ
 in empire
Vowels  -- i-class
               
 
Long 
  
 
Short
 
 
  
Half
 
 
     (reducible)
 
i
 
  
          
 
  
  אִ
 
     
     
 
          Ḥîreq
                                    i in fit
Vowels  -- o-class
Vowels  -- u-class
               
 
Long
 
 
Short
 
 
 
     
 
  
Half
 
 
     (reducible)
u
  
             
אֻ
 
 
   
    
              
 
Qibbûṣ
 
              
     
 
          
u in rule
                                                          
        
פְּ
 š
e
vā’
Vowel Pointing with vowel letters
 
ה
, 
ו
,  
and 
י
  
ה
  
אָה
  
     
אֵה / אֶה
 
  
   
 
אֹה
     Qāmeṣ Hê    Seghôl / Ṣerê Hê       Ḥôlem Hê
        â in far        ê in set / ê in they       ô in so
Vowel Pointing with vowel letters
 
ה
, 
ו
,  
and 
י
י
 
  
  
אֵי / אֶי
           
אִי
        
Segh
ô
l Y
ô
d
 / 
Ṣere Y
ô
d
  
   
 
Ḥireq Y
ô
d
              ê 
in set
      ê 
in they
  
  
  î 
in Marine
Vowel Pointing with vowel letters
 
ה
, 
ו
,  
and 
י
ו
 
 
      
אוֹ
 
 
   
 
אוּ
                    
  
   
Ḥôlem Vav     Šûreq
                           ô in so          û in rule
Vowel List
 
1. Q
ā
meṣ
 
 
  
 
     
 
ָ
 
a
as in far 
 
     
ā    
  
אָ
 
   
 
(Long)
2. Qāmeṣ hê 
  
ָה
 
“a” as in far 
 
  
   
â     
 
אָה
  
 
(Long)
3. Pataḥ
   
 
ַ
 
         “a” as in far
   
a
 
     
 
אַ
 
 
(short)
4. Ḥatēf-pa
t
aḥ  
 
ֲֲ 
 
“a” as in attach
   
x
ă
  
אֲ
                                                                   
 
(half vowel)
Vowel List
 
5. Ṣerê 
   
     
ֵ
 
“e” as in they
 
      
ē
  
אֵ
 
   (long)
6. Ṣerê Yôd    
 
ֵי
 
“e” as in they
 
      
ê
  
אֵי
   (vowel let.)
7. Seghôl 
  
     
ֶ
 
“e” as in set 
 
          
e
  
אֶ
 
   (short)
8. Seghôl Yôd  
 
ֶי
 
“e” as in set 
 
ê
   
 
אֶי
   (vowel let.)
9. Ḥatēf-Seghôl     
ֱ
 
 
“e” as in set x
ĕ
 
 
אֱ
  
(half vowel)
Vowel List
 
10. Ḥîreq
 
 
 
           
ִ
 
“i” as in fit  
 
     i  
  
אִ
    (short)
11. Ḥîreq Yôd          
ִי
  
“i” as in ski      î 
  
אִי
   (vowel let.)
12. Ḥôlem                  
ֹ
  
“o” as in so    ō
 
      
אֹ
 
   (long)
13. Ḥôlem Vāv       
 
וֹ
 
“o” as in so
 
     ô   
אוֹ
 
  (vowel let.))
Vowel List
 
14. Qibbûṣ    
 
  
ֻ
 
 
 
“u” as in rule
 
     u 
 
אֻ
    (short)
15. Šûreq
 
      
 
  
וּ
  
“u” as in rule
 
     û 
 
אוּ
   (vowel let.)
16. Qāmeṣ Ḥatûf      
 
ָ
 
 
“o” as in so
 
    o  
אָ
 
(short)
17. Ḥatēf Qāmeṣ    
 
ֳ
 
 
“o” as in commit  x
ŏ 
  
אֳ
 
(half vowel)
18. Š
e
vā’
 
         
 
ְ
 
 
“e” as in met
 
     x
e
 
 
אְ
 
(half vowel)
Hevenu Shalom Aleichem
https://youtu.be/JB4RMIWroMY
                 to you      peace     we bring
             
הֵבֵאנוּ  שָׁלוֹם  עֲלֵיכֶם
Practice with Vowel Identification
 
 אֶ֫רֶץ 
    
אִישׁ 
 
 
אִשָּׁה 
 
 
דָּבָר 
 
 
הָלַךְ
יְהוָה
 
 
  
יוֺם 
   
יִשְׂרָאֵל 
 
 
לֹא 
 
 
מֶ֫לֶךְ
 בְּרֵאשִׁית  בָּרָא  אֱלֹהִ֑ים  אֵת  הַשָּׁמַיִם  וְאֵת  הָאָֽרֶץ
 וְהָאָרֶץ הָיְתָה תֹהוּ וָבֹהוּ וְחֹשֶׁךְ עַל־פְּנֵי תְה֑וֹם וְרוּחַ
אֱלֹהִים מְרַחֶפֶת עַל־פְּנֵי הַמָּֽיִם׃
Open and Closed Syllables
 
1) 
Open
 syllable (begins with a consonant and
finishes with a vowel, [CV =consonant vowel
pattern]  
שָׁ 
 
 
in 
שָׁלוֹם 
 
 
)
2) 
Closed
 syllable (begins and ends with a
consonant [CVC=consonant vowel consonant
pattern] 
לוֹם 
 
in 
שָׁלוֹם
 
).
Tonic
 syllable is the syllable that is accented
Distinguish Qāmeṣ (a-class) and
Qāmeṣ Ḥatûf (o-class)
 
Qāmeṣ is an a-class long vowel (
שָׁלוֹם
 
—šālôm)
In contrast to Qāmeṣ Ḥatûf which is an o-class short vowel
(
חָכְמָה
 
--ḥokmāh).
The general rule is if it is in a closed unaccented syllable it is a
Qāmeṣ Ḥatûf (short o-class).
Meteg
 (
מֶ֫תֶג
 
) which is a little vertical line to the left of the
Qāmeṣ
E.g.  
בָּֽתִּים 
 
[bā] where the 
בָּֽ 
 
meteg indicates a Qāmeṣ is
present not a Qāmeṣ Ḥatûf [bo]).
Dagesh Lene and Dagesh Forte
A dagesh lene
 
occurs in the b
e
gad k
e
fat
 (
בגדכפת
  
 
בּגּדּכּפּתּ
) letters
A dagesh forte
 
is used in letters as a doubling dot for
letters other than the b
e
gad k
e
fat letters.
If, however, the b
e
gad k
e
fat letter is preceded by a
vowel then the dagesh in the b
e
gad k
e
fat letter is a
dagesh forte or doubling dagesh
E.g.
דִּבֵּר בֵּ  
 
 follows a ḥîreq vowel (in 
דִּ
 
) so the dagesh
in 
בֵּ
 
is a dagesh fore; transliterated dib|bēr).
Two Marks
 
Mappîq
 
(literally “causing to go out”)
So  
תָּמַהּ 
 
is transliterated with an “ah”
(tāmah) whereas without the mappiq it is
“â” as in  
חָכְמָה
  
 (ḥokmâ).
Maqqēf
 
(literally “binder” )as in
מִן־מֶלֶךְ 
 
meaning “from a king”).
Silent and Vocal Š
e
vā’
 
Silent š
e
vā’s 
(not pronounced or transliterated) and
Vocal š
e
vā’s 
(pronounced like the “e” in “met,”
transliterated “
e
”).
Rule:  If the consonant to the right has a short vowel
the š
e
vā’ is silent
 
 (
acts as a closed syllable [CVC]
closer).  If the vowel is long the š
e
vā’ is vocal.
If, for example in 
לַיְלָה
 
(night), the initial pataḥ is short so the
syllable is divided to the left of the silent š
e
vā’  
לַיְלָה
לַיְ׀לָה
Silent and Vocal Š
e
vā’
If there are two š
e
vā’s in a row inside a word the
first is always silent and the second always vocal
( 
יִשְׁמְרוּ 
 
  
יִשְׁ׀מְ׀רוּ
  
 they guarded or kept).
If there is a š
e
vā’ at the end of a word it is always
silent 
שְׁמַרְתְּ
While gutturals ( 
א ה ח ע ר
) cannot take simple
š
e
vā’s, they do take composite š
e
vā’s ( 
אֲ אֱ אֳ
 
) and
seem to prefer pataḥ as their vowel of choice.
Defective Writing of Vowels
 
The vowel letters (
י ה ו  
 ) are accompanied by a
vowel as seen in the vowel chart
(
וֹ וּ ִי ֵי
 
) but rather frequently the vowel letter is
dropped.  This is called defective writing.
לִי
 (full) 
 
לִ
 
(defective)
 
לוֹ
 
(full) 
 
לֹ 
 
(defective)
לוּ
 
(full) 
 
  
 לֻ
  
(defective)
Gutturals and Furtive (stealthy Pataḥ)
A pataḥ furtive is a hurried non-full pataḥ vowel may be
placed on the guttural 
ע
 or 
ח
 that end a word.
While the pataḥ furtive comes under the guttural it is
transliterated before the consonant and superscripted
like a Ḥatēf-pa
t
aḥ
רוּחַ 
 (transliterated rû
a
ḥ, = wind, spirit)
Quiescent letters
:  
א 
 and 
ה
 
Both of these when they start a syllable are taken as
consonants.  However, when 
א
 has no vowel it
becomes quiescent (silent) and is not considered a
consonant.
When 
ה
 ends a word having no vowel after it, it
becomes quiescent.
הָאָרֶץ
 
הָ׀אָ׀רֶץ
note the consonantal 
ה 
 and 
א
לַיְלָה  
  
לַיְ׀לָה
 
 – note the final quiescent
ה
בְּרֵאשִׁית 
 
בְּ׀רֵא׀שִׁית
 – note the 
א
 
quiescent
2.N.
  
Speak and write Hebrew:
 
שָׁלוֹם        בּוֹקֶר         טוֹב
 
 
 
 
 
    
Hello, good morning
good  
     
  morning   
   
  Hello
שָׁלוֹם         עֶרֶב          טוֹב
 
 
   
 
Hello, good evening
good    
    
evening   
     
  Hello
שָׁלוֹם        לַיְלָה          טוֹב
 
 
     
Hello, good night
good    
 
 
    
 night    
      
  Hello
מַזָל           טוֹב
 
 
 
                  
Good luck 
ּ
= congratulations!
good  
  
 
    
 fortune
Chapter 2 Vocabulary
 
אֶ֫רֶץ 
  
land, earth, ground
   
2,504
אִישׁ 
 
 
man, human 
      
2,185
אִשָּׁה 
 
 
woman, wife
      
781
דָּבָר 
 
 
word, matter, thing 
   
1,
442
הָלַךְ 
 
 
to go, walk 
      
1,5
47
Chapter 2 Vocabulary
 
 
יְהוָה
 
 
  
Yahweh, Jehovah, LORD 
 
6,828
יוֺם 
    
day, daylight, time
  
2,300
יִשְׂרָאֵל 
 
 
Israel
        
2,506
לֹא 
 
   
no, not
       
5,185
מֶ֫לֶךְ 
 
  
king, ruler, prince
   
2,528
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Exploring the development and significance of Hebrew vowels in Biblical texts, this visual guide covers the evolution of vowel systems, the roles of the Masoretes in adding vocalization marks, and the distinctions between a-class, e-class, i-class, o-class, and u-class vowels. Delve into the nuances of Ketiv and Qere annotations, and grasp the intricacies of vowel pointing using vowel letters.

  • Hebrew
  • Vowels
  • Biblical
  • Masoretes
  • Vocalization

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  1. Hebrew Vowels CHAPTER 2

  2. Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Vowels (Niqqud) added by the Masoretes (500-1000 AD) Earlier: vowel letters added, matres lectionis (mothers of reading) and = a-class vowels for e-class and i-class vowels for o-class and u-class vowels Short, Long and half-vowels Ketiv( ) what is written; Qere( ) what is read

  3. Vowels -- a-class Long (reducible) Q me in far Short Half Pata a in far a at f-pata in attach

  4. Vowels -- e-class Long (reducible) er in they e in set in empire Short Half Segh l e at f-Segh l

  5. Vowels -- i-class Long (reducible) Short Half req i in fit i

  6. Vowels -- o-class Long (reducible) olem Q me atuf at f-Q me in so o in so Short Half o in commit

  7. Vowels -- u-class Long (reducible) Short Half u Qibb u in rule ev

  8. Vowel Pointing with vowel letters , , and Q me H in far in set / in they Segh l / er H / lem H in so

  9. Vowel Pointing with vowel letters , , and / Segh l Y d / ere Y d in set ireq Y d in Marine in they

  10. Vowel Pointing with vowel letters , , and req lem Vav in so in rule

  11. Vowel List 1. Q me a as in far (Long) (Long) (short) a as in far 2. Q me h 3. Pata a as in far a 4. at f-pata a as in attach x (half vowel)

  12. Vowel List (vowel let.) (short) 5. er e as in they e as in they (long) 6. er Y d 7. Segh l 8. Segh l Y d e as in set (vowel let.) e as in set x e as in set e 9. at f-Segh l (half vowel)

  13. Vowel List 10. req i as in fit i (short) (vowel let.) (long) (vowel let.)) i as in ski 11. req Y d 12. lem o as in so o as in so 13. lem V v

  14. Vowel List u (vowel let.) o (short) 14. Qibb u as in rule (short) u as in rule 15. req 16. Q me at f o as in so o as in commit x (half vowel) xe (half vowel) 17. at f Q me 18. ev e as in met

  15. Hevenu Shalom Aleichem https://youtu.be/JB4RMIWroMY to you peace we bring

  16. Practice with Vowel Identification

  17. Open and Closed Syllables 1) Open syllable (begins with a consonant and finishes with a vowel, [CV =consonant vowel pattern] in ) 2) Closed syllable (begins and ends with a consonant [CVC=consonant vowel consonant pattern] in ). Tonic syllable is the syllable that is accented

  18. Distinguish Qme (a-class) and Q me at f (o-class) Q me is an a-class long vowel ( l m) In contrast to Q me at f which is an o-class short vowel ( -- okm h). The general rule is if it is in a closed unaccented syllable it is a Q me at f (short o-class). Meteg ( ) which is a little vertical line to the left of the Q me E.g. [b ] where the meteg indicates a Q me is present not a Q me at f [bo]).

  19. Dagesh Lene and Dagesh Forte A dagesh lene occurs in the begad kefat ( ) letters A dagesh forte is used in letters as a doubling dot for letters other than the begad kefat letters. If, however, the begad kefat letter is preceded by a vowel then the dagesh in the begad kefat letter is a dagesh forte or doubling dagesh dagesh in is a dagesh fore; transliterated dib|b r). follows a req vowel (in ) so the E.g.

  20. Two Marks Mapp q (literally causing to go out ) So is transliterated with an ah (t mah) whereas without the mappiq it is as in ( okm ). Maqq f (literally binder )as in meaning from a king ).

  21. Silent and Vocal ev Silent ev s (not pronounced or transliterated) and Vocal ev s (pronounced like the e in met, transliterated e ). Rule: If the consonant to the right has a short vowel the ev is silent (acts as a closed syllable [CVC] closer). If the vowel is long the ev is vocal. If, for example in (night), the initial pata is short so the syllable is divided to the left of the silent ev

  22. Silent and Vocal ev If there are two ev s in a row inside a word the first is always silent and the second always vocal ( they guarded or kept). If there is a ev at the end of a word it is always silent While gutturals ( ) cannot take simple ev s, they do take composite ev s ( and seem to prefer pata as their vowel of choice. )

  23. Defective Writing of Vowels The vowel letters ( ) are accompanied by a vowel as seen in the vowel chart ( ) but rather frequently the vowel letter is dropped. This is called defective writing. (full) (defective) (full) (defective) (full) (defective)

  24. Gutturals and Furtive (stealthy Pata) A pata furtive is a hurried non-full pata vowel may be placed on the guttural or that end a word. While the pata furtive comes under the guttural it is transliterated before the consonant and superscripted like a at f-pata (transliterated r a , = wind, spirit)

  25. Quiescent letters: and Both of these when they start a syllable are taken as consonants. However, when has no vowel it becomes quiescent (silent) and is not considered a consonant. When ends a word having no vowel after it, it becomes quiescent. note the consonantal and note the final quiescent note the quiescent

  26. 2.N. Speak and write Hebrew: good morning good evening good night good fortune Hello, good morning Hello Hello, good evening Hello Hello, good night Hello Good luck = congratulations!

  27. Chapter 2 Vocabulary land, earth, ground 2,504 man, human 2,185 woman, wife 781 word, matter, thing 1,442 to go, walk 1,547

  28. Chapter 2 Vocabulary Yahweh, Jehovah, LORD 6,828 day, daylight, time 2,300 Israel 2,506 no, not 5,185 king, ruler, prince 2,528

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