Summary
The absolute state is the standard form of a word (noun, adjective, participle, or infinitive) in contrast to a modified form
called the construct state. A word in the absolute state can take a prefix but not a suffix.
Article
Nouns, adjectives, participles and
infinitives can appear in either the absolute state or the construct state.
The absolute state is the standard form and consists of a longer ending as opposed to the shorter construct ending. The most fundamental
difference between the two forms is that the construct form can take an attached suffix, but the absolute form
cannot. Nouns, adjectives and participles can appear in either the absolute or the construct state for both
masculine and feminine terms in both singular and plural forms. Because
infinitives do not change form for either gender or number, there isusually only one
infinitive construct form and one infinitive absolute
form of a verb in Biblical Hebrew.
Note
Many masculine singular nouns appear exactly alike in both the absolute state and the construct state.
Examples
Standing alone
In Biblical Hebrew, when a term stands alone and is not grammatically connected to another word, it appears in the absolute
state. This category includes terms such as a subject/object of a verb or
relative phrase, adjectives, adverbial nouns, etc.
Example: GEN 1:1
| בָּרָ֣א אֱלֹהִ֑ים אֵ֥ת הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְאֵ֥ת הָאָֽרֶץ׃ |
| bara ‘elohim ‘eth hashamayim we’eth ha’arets |
- he-created God [dir.obj] the-heavens and-[dir.obj]
- the-earth.
|
| God created the heavens and the earth. |
Appearing with a prefix
The absolute state cannot take a suffix but can take a prefix, including a conjunction, preposition, definite article, or
even a relative particle. For example, a term functioning as the object of a preposition can appear in the absolute state with
a prefixed preposition, provided that there is no pronominal suffix. A term with both a prefixed preposition and a pronominal
suffix would necessarily appear in the construct state.
Example: GEN 1:1
| בָּרָ֣א אֱלֹהִ֑ים אֵ֥ת הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְאֵ֥ת הָאָֽרֶץ׃ |
| bara ‘elohim ‘eth hashamayim we’eth ha’arets |
- he-created God [dir.obj] the-heavens and-[dir.obj]
- the-earth.
|
| God created the heavens and the earth. |
The final word in a construct chain always appears in the absolute state either with or without the definite article. This term is
often called the “absolute noun.” If the absolute noun in a construct chain is definite, then the
entire construct chain is definite. If the absolute noun is indefinite, then the entire construct chain is indefinite.
Indefinite construct chain
Example: 2SA 17:25
| וַעֲמָשָׂ֣א בֶן־אִ֗ישׁ וּשְׁמֹו֙ יִתְרָ֣א |
| wa’amasa ven-‘ish ushemow yithra |
| and-Amasa son-of_man and-his-name Jether |
| Amasa was a son of a man named Jether |
Example: EXO 15:3
| אִ֣ישׁ מִלְחָמָ֑ה |
| ‘ish milhamah |
| man-of war |
| a warrior |
Example: 2SA 17:25
| וַעֲמָשָׂ֣א בֶן־אִ֗ישׁ וּשְׁמֹו֙ יִתְרָ֣א |
| wa’amasa ven-‘ish ushemow yithra |
| and-Amasa son-of_man and-his-name Jether |
| Amasa was a son of a man named Jether |
Example: EXO 15:3
| אִ֣ישׁ מִלְחָמָ֑ה |
| ‘ish milhamah |
| man-of war |
| a warrior |
Definite construct chain
Example: 2SA 14:26
| בְּאֶ֥בֶן הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ |
| be’even hammelekh |
| in-weight-of the-king. |
| by the weight of the king’s standard. |
Example: JOS 4:9
| אֲר֣וֹן הַבְּרִ֑ית |
| ‘aron habberith |
| ark-of the-covenant |
| the ark of the covenant |
Example: 1SA 20:27
| בֵּ֣ן לְיִשַׁי֮ |
| ben leyishay |
| son-of Jesse |
| the son of Jesse |