Hebrew Form Guide

הַבֶּט־ (hab·beṭ-) in Genesis 15:5: Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular

הַבֶּט־ (hab·beṭ-) in Genesis 15:5

Source Word

הַבֶּט־hab·beṭ-Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular

At Genesis 15:5, the Genesis 15:5 source token הַבֶּט־ is H5027, V-Hifil-Imp-ms. The H5027 Genesis 15:5 BSB+ word table row therefore anchors this guide.

How The Form Affects Interpretation

Look is the idiomatic force of this Hifil imperative, with masculine singular agreement matching Abram as the addressee. God turns Abram's attention from his present lack of an heir to the stars as a concrete sign of offspring beyond his ability to count.

How To Communicate It

Identify the addressee and sequence: look, attempt to count, hear the promise, and then read Abram's response in the next verse.

What Not To Say

  • Grammatical form should serve context, not override it.
  • Do not force a causative gloss onto every Hifil, and do not treat the command to look as a technique that creates covenant blessing.
  • Hifil often has causative force, but lexical usage and the heavenly object support the ordinary directive look here.
  • Read look within Genesis 15:5 as the H5027 occurrence; broader theology requires the passage.

What Does The Label Mean?

Profile

Hebrew-verb

Part of Speech

Verb

Form Label

Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular

Stem

Hifil

Aspect

Imp

Person

Not applicable

Gender

Masculine

Number

Singular

State

Not applicable

Suffix

None

Aspect Note

Imperative mood presents a direct command, not a prediction, while the following divine speech states what Abram is to understand.

Verse Role

The imperative is singular because Abram is addressed; the Hifil stem belongs to the established lexical expression for looking intently.

What The Form Does In This Verse

Attached To

To the heavens before the command to count the stars

Governed By

The Lord's visual demonstration of the promised multitude of Abram's offspring

Role In The Phrase

The masculine singular Hifil imperative directly addresses Abram and summons him to direct his gaze toward the heavens.

What It Is Not Doing

The Hifil label does not require the wooden rendering cause yourself to see, and the imperative does not make Abram produce the promise.

How Much The Form Matters Here

Interpretive Weight

High: God turns Abram's attention from his present lack of an heir to the stars as a concrete sign of offspring beyond his ability to count.

Syntax Profile

The imperative is singular because Abram is addressed; the Hifil stem belongs to the established lexical expression for looking intently.. The masculine singular Hifil imperative directly addresses Abram and summons him to direct his gaze toward the heavens.. Attached to to the heavens before the command to count the stars. Governed by the Lord's visual demonstration of the promised multitude of Abram's offspring. The Hifil label does not require the wooden rendering cause yourself to see, and the imperative does not make Abram produce the promise.

Reader Question

What does the Hifil imperative ask Abram to do? It commands him personally to direct his gaze toward the heavens before God compares his future offspring to the stars.

Translation Effect

Direct: Look is the idiomatic force of this Hifil imperative, with masculine singular agreement matching Abram as the addressee.

Where Caution Is Needed

Hifil often has causative force, but lexical usage and the heavenly object support the ordinary directive look here. The visual sign illustrates abundance without turning the stars into the source or guarantor of the promise.

Fallacies To Avoid

Hifil always means cause: Stem patterns interact with lexical convention; this verb in Hifil commonly means look or regard. imperative makes fulfillment depend on Abram's sight: Abram is commanded to look, but the Lord's promise establishes the offspring's future. morphology replaces literary context: The H5027 form clarifies the look relation in Genesis 15:5; the surrounding passage establishes its scope.

How The Interpretation Is Derived

Textual Witness

At Genesis 15:5, the Genesis 15:5 source token הַבֶּט־ is H5027, V-Hifil-Imp-ms. The H5027 Genesis 15:5 BSB+ word table row therefore anchors this guide.

Lexical Identity

נָבַט is the lemma behind look here. Within Genesis 15:5, H5027 retains this exact lexical identity.

Grammar In Context

The imperative is singular because Abram is addressed; the Hifil stem belongs to the established lexical expression for looking intently.

Passage Meaning

God turns Abram's attention from his present lack of an heir to the stars as a concrete sign of offspring beyond his ability to count.

Canonical Fit

The command stands immediately before the promise and Abram's believing response, joining visible sign, divine word, and credited righteousness.

Communication Use

Identify the addressee and sequence: look, attempt to count, hear the promise, and then read Abram's response in the next verse.

Do Not Derive

Do not force a causative gloss onto every Hifil, and do not treat the command to look as a technique that creates covenant blessing.