Hebrew Form Guide

זַרְעֶֽךָ׃ (zar·‘e·ḵā) in Genesis 15:5: Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular

זַרְעֶֽךָ׃ (zar·‘e·ḵā) in Genesis 15:5

Source Word

זַרְעֶֽךָ׃ zar·‘e·ḵā Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular

The BSB+ row for Genesis 15:5 links the English rendering "your offspring" with זַרְעֶֽךָ׃, Strong's H2233, and the morphology label N-msc | 2ms.

How The Form Affects Interpretation

The form keeps the star comparison tied to Abram's promised offspring rather than to a generic posterity idea.

How To Communicate It

When teaching Genesis 15:5, use this form to show how the suffix makes the promise direct and personal to Abram.

What Not To Say

  • Grammar should serve context, not override it.
  • Do not turn singular seed language into a full canonical argument without the wider passage and canon.
  • Do not treat the attached suffix as a full theology of covenant descent.
  • Do not treat this occurrence as a complete word study for H2233.

What Does The Label Mean?

Profile

Hebrew-nominal

Part of Speech

Noun

Form Label

Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular

Suffix

Second person masculine singular

Gender

Masculine

Number

Singular

State

Construct

Verse Role

This form carries the BSB rendering "your offspring" within Genesis 15:5. Genesis 15 anchors God's covenant promise to Abram, moving from promise and faith to assurance and covenant sign.

What The Form Does In This Verse

Attached To

The promise comparison in Genesis 15:5, where Abram's offspring are compared to the stars

Governed By

The Lord's promise after bringing Abram outside to look toward the heavens

Role In The Phrase

It identifies the promised offspring as Abram's seed, with the suffix tying the promise directly to him.

What It Is Not Doing

The construct and suffix do not by themselves settle the full theology of offspring, promise, faith, or fulfillment.

How Much The Form Matters Here

Interpretive Weight

Moderate: The form identifies Abram's offspring in the central promise comparison of Genesis 15.

Syntax Profile

Masculine singular construct noun with second masculine singular suffix. identifies the offspring as Abram's seed. Attached to the offspring phrase in Genesis 15:5. Governed by the local phrase and passage context. Construct, preposition, and suffix markers identify relationship, but the verse determines the referent and theological force.

Reader Question

Whose offspring are compared to the stars? Abram's offspring are in view.

Translation Effect

Direct: The construct and suffix directly support the rendering "your offspring."

Where Caution Is Needed

Singular seed language can refer collectively in context. The suffix identifies Abram as the person addressed. The promise comparison must be read with the Lord's speech and Abram's response.

Fallacies To Avoid

Singular seed automatically proves the whole canonical argument: The form identifies Abram's offspring here; larger canonical claims need the wider canon. suffix alone settles covenant doctrine: The suffix marks relation; Genesis 15 carries the covenant claim.

How The Interpretation Is Derived

Textual Witness

The BSB+ row for Genesis 15:5 links the English rendering "your offspring" with זַרְעֶֽךָ׃, Strong's H2233, and the morphology label N-msc | 2ms.

Lexical Identity

H2233 is represented here by the lemma זֶרַע. In this occurrence, the public guide is limited to the BSB rendering "your offspring" rather than every possible gloss of the entry.

Grammar In Context

The form binds the offspring language to Abram in the promise clause, so the comparison is personal and covenantal.

Passage Meaning

Genesis 15 anchors God's covenant promise to Abram, moving from promise and faith to assurance and covenant sign.

Canonical Fit

The form fits Scripture's covenant pattern in which God speaks, promises, judges, gives, and keeps his word.

Communication Use

When teaching Genesis 15:5, use this form to show how the suffix makes the promise direct and personal to Abram.

Do Not Derive

Do not derive a full theology of seed, promise, or fulfillment from N-msc | 2ms alone. The form identifies the related offspring in one promise clause.