Hebrew Form Guide

נָתַ֖תָּה (nā·ṯat·tāh) in Genesis 15:3: Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular

נָתַ֖תָּה (nā·ṯat·tāh) in Genesis 15:3

Source Word

נָתַ֖תָּהnā·ṯat·tāhVerb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular

At Genesis 15:3, the source token נָתַ֖תָּה is H5414, V-Qal-Perf-2ms. The BSB+ word table row therefore anchors this guide.

How The Form Affects Interpretation

You have given reflects the second-person perfect and its relevance to Abram's current childless condition. Abram brings the apparent contradiction between God's promise and his childlessness directly to God rather than concealing it.

How To Communicate It

Preserve the direct You and the negative no offspring so readers hear both Abram's lament and its covenant addressee.

What Not To Say

  • Grammatical form should serve context, not override it.
  • Do not turn the perfect into a final verdict on God's faithfulness or treat honest lament as unbelief by definition.
  • Perfect aspect presents the state as established so far, not as proof that God will never give an heir.
  • Read You have given within Genesis 15:3 as this H5414 occurrence; broader theology requires the passage.

What Does The Label Mean?

Profile

Hebrew-verb

Part of Speech

Verb

Form Label

Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular

Stem

Qal

Aspect

Perf

Person

Second

Gender

Masculine

Number

Singular

State

Not applicable

Suffix

None

Aspect Note

The perfect views the non-giving as the settled situation Abram experiences at this point in the covenant dialogue.

Verse Role

The second-person form addresses the Lord directly, while the negative and first-person object make no offspring the contested gift.

What The Form Does In This Verse

Attached To

The Lord as the second-person giver Abram addresses

Governed By

Abram's complaint that he remains without offspring despite the promise

Role In The Phrase

The second masculine singular Qal perfect presents Abram's present lack as the result of what God has not given him.

What It Is Not Doing

The complaint does not deny every gift from God or prove that Abram has abandoned faith.

How Much The Form Matters Here

Interpretive Weight

High: Abram brings the apparent contradiction between God's promise and his childlessness directly to God rather than concealing it.

Syntax Profile

The second-person form addresses the Lord directly, while the negative and first-person object make no offspring the contested gift.. The second masculine singular Qal perfect presents Abram's present lack as the result of what God has not given him.. Attached to the Lord as the second-person giver Abram addresses. Governed by Abram's complaint that he remains without offspring despite the promise. The complaint does not deny every gift from God or prove that Abram has abandoned faith.

Reader Question

What does You have given communicate in Abram's complaint? It addresses God as the responsible giver while naming the unresolved absence of the promised offspring.

Translation Effect

Direct: You have given reflects the second-person perfect and its relevance to Abram's current childless condition.

Where Caution Is Needed

Perfect aspect presents the state as established so far, not as proof that God will never give an heir. Abram's words express tension and need; the verse alone does not quantify his degree of faith or doubt.

Fallacies To Avoid

Perfect means promise has failed permanently: The form describes Abram's present experience before God answers with renewed assurance. lament is faithlessness: Abram speaks to the Lord within the covenant conversation and receives clarification rather than rejection.

How The Interpretation Is Derived

Textual Witness

At Genesis 15:3, the source token נָתַ֖תָּה is H5414, V-Qal-Perf-2ms. The BSB+ word table row therefore anchors this guide.

Lexical Identity

נָתַן is the lemma behind You have given here. Within Genesis 15:3, H5414 retains this exact lexical identity.

Grammar In Context

The second-person form addresses the Lord directly, while the negative and first-person object make no offspring the contested gift.

Passage Meaning

Abram brings the apparent contradiction between God's promise and his childlessness directly to God rather than concealing it.

Canonical Fit

Faith can voice honest perplexity before God, while the Lord remains free to clarify and fulfill his promise.

Communication Use

Preserve the direct You and the negative no offspring so readers hear both Abram's lament and its covenant addressee.

Do Not Derive

Do not turn the perfect into a final verdict on God's faithfulness or treat honest lament as unbelief by definition.