Pronoun Relative

Summary

Article

In English, the relative pronouns include: “who”, “what”, “that”, “which”, “when”, or “where”. In most cases, Biblical Hebrew simply uses either the relative particle אֲשֶׁר or the prefix -שֶׁ to introduce a relative clause. However, in rare instances Biblical Hebrew uses certain other pronouns to serve this same function.

Note

In Biblical Hebrew, the terms “relative pronoun” and “relative particle” are two different names for the same thing. Either term is correct.

זוּ

Example: EXO 15:13

עַם־ז֣וּ גָּאָ֑לְתָּ

‘am-zu ga’alta

people_whom you-rescued

people you have rescued

זֶה

זֶה is a demonstrative pronoun which sometimes functions as a relative particle.

Example: PSA 78:54

הַר־זֶ֝֗ה קָנְתָ֥ה יְמִינֹֽו׃

har-zeh qonthah yeminow

mountain_which has-acquired his-right-hand

to this mountain that his right hand acquired.

זוֹ / זֹה

The two feminine demonstratives זֹה and זוֹ can also function as a relative particle.

Example: ??? ??:?? (This table is a place holder until an example is added)

הַר־זֶ֝֗ה קָנְתָ֥ה יְמִינֹֽו׃

har-zeh qonthah yeminow

mountain_which has-acquired his-right-hand

to this mountain that his right hand acquired.

Example: ??? ??:?? (This table is a place holder until an example is added)

הַר־זֶ֝֗ה קָנְתָ֥ה יְמִינֹֽו׃

har-zeh qonthah yeminow

mountain_which has-acquired his-right-hand

to this mountain that his right hand acquired.