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unfoldingWord Hebrew Grammar ⌂

Number Dual

Summary

The dual form of a term usually refers to a pair of items.

Article

Nouns change their form according to their number, either singular, dual, or plural. The dual ending does not only mean "two" but usually refers to a pair of something, such as עֵינַ֥יִם (two eyes) or אָזְנַ֣יִם (two ears).

Note

Dual nouns always take adjectives with a plural ending, not a dual ending.

Form

Both masculine and feminine terms take the same dual ending, ־ַיִם (pathah-yod-hireq-final mem).

Dual Paradigm
Word Hebrew Transliteration Gloss
Masculine dual absolute אָזְנַיִם 'aznayim (both) ears
Masculine dual construct אָזְנֵי 'azney (both) ears of
Female dual absolute יָדַיִם yadayim (both) hands
Feminine dual construct יְדֵי yede (both) hands of

Example

Example: DEU 29:4 (DEU 29:3 in Hebrew)
וְלֹֽא־נָתַן֩ יְהוָ֨ה לָכֶ֥ם לֵב֙ לָדַ֔עַת וְעֵינַ֥יִם לִרְא֖וֹת
וְאָזְנַ֣יִם לִשְׁמֹ֑עַ
welo-nathan yehwah lakhem lev lada'ath we'enayim lir'oth
we'oznayim lishmoa'
And-not_has-given Yahweh to-them heart to-know and-eyes to-see
and-ears to hear.
Yahweh has not given you a heart to know, eyes to see or ears
to hear.