Hebrew Form Guide

מַ֣עֲשֵׂיהֶ֔ם (ma·‘ă·śê·hem) in Jonah 3:10: Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural

מַ֣עֲשֵׂיהֶ֔ם (ma·‘ă·śê·hem) in Jonah 3:10

Source Word

מַ֣עֲשֵׂיהֶ֔םma·‘ă·śê·hemNoun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural

At Jonah 3:10, the source token מַ֣עֲשֵׂיהֶ֔ם is H4639, N-mpc | 3mp. The BSB+ word table row therefore anchors this guide.

How The Form Affects Interpretation

Their actions represents the plural construct noun and its third-person plural suffix. God responds not merely to sackcloth or words but to the Ninevites' concrete abandonment of evil conduct.

How To Communicate It

Point from their actions to the explanatory clause they had turned, distinguishing evidence of repentance from merit.

What Not To Say

  • Grammatical form should serve context, not override it.
  • Do not use the noun to teach works-righteousness or claim that God sees only externals.
  • The noun can denote deeds, work, or conduct; the explanatory turning clause supplies its moral content.
  • Read their actions within Jonah 3:10 as this H4639 occurrence; broader theology requires the passage.

What Does The Label Mean?

Profile

Hebrew-nominal

Part of Speech

Noun

Form Label

Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural

Stem

Not applicable

Aspect

Not applicable

Person

Not applicable

Gender

Masculine

Number

Plural

State

Construct

Suffix

3Mp

Aspect Note

This possessed noun identifies evidence visible in the narrative; the finite verbs describe God seeing and the people turning.

Verse Role

The masculine plural construct noun carries a third masculine plural suffix, binding actions to the Ninevites collectively.

What The Form Does In This Verse

Attached To

The Ninevites as the people whose actions God observes

Governed By

The seeing clause clarified by their turning from evil ways

Role In The Phrase

The plural construct noun with third-person suffix names their observable actions, which the next clause defines as turning from evil.

What It Is Not Doing

The phrase does not teach salvation by meritorious works or reduce repentance to outward performance.

How Much The Form Matters Here

Interpretive Weight

High: God responds not merely to sackcloth or words but to the Ninevites' concrete abandonment of evil conduct.

Syntax Profile

The masculine plural construct noun carries a third masculine plural suffix, binding actions to the Ninevites collectively.. The plural construct noun with third-person suffix names their observable actions, which the next clause defines as turning from evil.. Attached to the Ninevites as the people whose actions God observes. Governed by the seeing clause clarified by their turning from evil ways. The phrase does not teach salvation by meritorious works or reduce repentance to outward performance.

Reader Question

What actions does God see in Nineveh? The verse immediately explains them as the people's turning away from their evil ways.

Translation Effect

Direct: Their actions represents the plural construct noun and its third-person plural suffix.

Where Caution Is Needed

The noun can denote deeds, work, or conduct; the explanatory turning clause supplies its moral content. Corporate language describes the city's response without requiring that every individual act identically.

Fallacies To Avoid

Actions earn divine mercy: The deeds demonstrate turning; the narrative attributes relenting to God's compassionate response. visible repentance is merely performative: God sees the turn from evil ways, not only public mourning symbols.

How The Interpretation Is Derived

Textual Witness

At Jonah 3:10, the source token מַ֣עֲשֵׂיהֶ֔ם is H4639, N-mpc | 3mp. The BSB+ word table row therefore anchors this guide.

Lexical Identity

מַעֲשֶׂה is the lemma behind their actions here. Within Jonah 3:10, H4639 retains this exact lexical identity.

Grammar In Context

The masculine plural construct noun carries a third masculine plural suffix, binding actions to the Ninevites collectively.

Passage Meaning

God responds not merely to sackcloth or words but to the Ninevites' concrete abandonment of evil conduct.

Canonical Fit

Repentance bears observable fruit, yet mercy remains God's compassionate response rather than wages earned by deeds.

Communication Use

Point from their actions to the explanatory clause they had turned, distinguishing evidence of repentance from merit.

Do Not Derive

Do not use the noun to teach works-righteousness or claim that God sees only externals.