The Construct Relationship

Biblical Hebrew does not have any equivalent to the English preposition ʻofʼ.
Instead, similar ʻof-relationshipsʼ are expressed by joining words together in
the construct relationship.
The typical construct relationship (often called ‫ ) סְמִיכּות‬consists of two
elements: a noun in the construct state ( ְָ‫ נִסְמ‬ʻsupportedʼ) followed by one in
the absolute state ( ְֵ‫ סֹומ‬ʻsupportingʼ).

The vocalization of a noun in construct often differs from its vocalization when
not in construct

Description of the construct relationship:

Two nouns in a construct relationship are treated as a compound: the two
words are considered to be one prosodic phrase and the major ʻphrase
stressʼ is on the absolute noun.
This phenomenon is similar to the stress change in English compounds: a
whíte hoúse versus the Whítehouse. As noted above, the lack of major
stress on the construct noun often affects its vocalization.
 Note: A construct noun is often attached to an absolute noun
with a maqqef (‫ ;)־‬this is a graphic signal that the two words are
stressed as a single unit.

A noun in construct cannot have a definite article. However, if the absolute

noun is definite (e.g., it is a proper noun or has the article), then the
construct noun ʻinheritsʼ this definiteness.

The meanings expressed by the construct relationship are similar to English

ʻofʼ.

A construct relationship can have more than one construct noun all related to
one absolute noun.

A construct relationship can also have a single construct noun related to

coordinated absolute nouns (often however, the construct noun is repeated in
two coordinated constructs).
Chart of Frequent Irregular Nouns
Some irregular noun forms occur frequently. You should familiarize yourself
with these forms.

Vocabulary
Exercises
Complete the following construct phrases.
Translate the following construct phrases.