Home
Bible
Hebrew Morphology Codes
Hebrew Morphology Codes
Hebrew morphology codes use the compact OSHB format. A code like HVqp3ms reads as: H (Hebrew), V (verb), q (Qal), p (perfect), 3 (3rd person), m (masculine), s (singular). Prefixes are separated by / (e.g. HR/Ncfsa = preposition + noun).
Also see: Greek Morphology Codes
Part of Speech
Code Meaning Description
AAdjective Describes a noun (e.g. gadol "great," tov "good")
CConjunction Connects words or clauses (most commonly waw "and")
DAdverb Modifies a verb (e.g. me'od "very")
NNoun A person, place, thing, or idea (e.g. elohim "God")
PPronoun Substitutes for a noun (e.g. hu "he," ani "I")
RPreposition Shows relationship (e.g. be "in," le "to," min "from")
TParticle Function words: article (ha ), direct object marker (et ), relative (asher )
VVerb An action or state (e.g. bara "he created")
Verbal Stem (Binyan)
Hebrew verbs have seven major stems (binyanim ) that modify the root's meaning — adding causative, passive, or intensive force.
Code Stem Description
qQal Simple active ("he kept")
NNiphal Simple passive or reflexive ("he was kept" / "he kept himself")
pPiel Intensive active ("he guarded diligently")
PPual Intensive passive ("he was carefully guarded")
tHithpael Intensive reflexive ("he guarded himself carefully")
hHiphil Causative active ("he caused to keep")
HHophal Causative passive ("he was caused to keep")
Conjugation
Code Meaning Description
pPerfect Completed action ("he wrote")
iImperfect Incomplete/ongoing action ("he was writing" / "he will write")
wSequential imperfect Imperfect with waw -consecutive, narrating past events
qSequential perfect Perfect with waw -consecutive, continuing a narrative
vImperative A command ("write!")
hCohortative First-person wish or intention ("let me write")
jJussive Third-person wish or command ("let him write")
aInfinitive absolute Emphasizes the verb ("he will surely write")
cInfinitive construct The verbal noun ("to write," "writing")
rParticiple active The one doing the action ("the one writing")
sParticiple passive The one receiving the action ("the thing written")
Person, Gender & Number
Code Meaning
1First person ("I" / "we")
2Second person ("you")
3Third person ("he" / "she" / "they")
mMasculine
fFeminine
cCommon (both genders)
bBoth (masculine and feminine)
sSingular
pPlural
dDual (exactly two)
State
Code Meaning Description
aAbsolute The noun stands independently ("a king")
cConstruct The noun is bound to the following word ("king of Israel")
dDetermined The noun is definite, often with the article
Common Particle Subtypes
Code Meaning Description
dDefinite article The prefix ha- ("the")
oDirect object marker The word et , marking the definite direct object
rRelative The word asher ("who," "which," "that")