Genesis 3:16
| 134 | Strong’s #6093, עִצָּבוֹן itstsabon. Masculine singular afflicted one, sorrowful one. This rare noun has a suffix called the paragogic nun. It is only found 3 times – Gen 3:16, 3:17, 5:29. The paragogic nun suffix is unknown to scholars as to its meaning, “This suffix is an unexplained feature of Biblical Hebrew grammar with no discernible meaning or function.” Gesenius writes, “This usually expresses a marked emphasis…” In some instances, it seems to be comparable to mini- or -ette. As in ishon אִישׁוֹן (#380) [little] man of the eye which is the suffix added to the word for “man”. Another interesting “unknown” suffix is the feminine -ah added to what has been interpreted as an imperative, i.e the paragogic hay. For example, to hear (#8085) שִׁמְעָה in Job 32:10, 34:16, Psalm 17:1, 39:12, 50:7, 61:1, 84:8, 102:1, 119:49, 130:2. Technically this would be read she has heard, “And the queen of Sheba has heard שָׁמְעָה the report of Solomon…” 2 Chron. 9:1 literal |