There have been a few instances where I ran across someone who wanted to get a (Biblical) Hebrew tattoo and were hoping for a little assistance in terms of the grammar.
The most common question is how to say beloved
in a Hebrew tattoo. Well, I just happen to be an expert on this one. Beloved:
דָּוִד
Lover is the Qal Active Participle of the verb to love
and looks like this:
אֹהֵב
You can see an example of this word in plene in Deuteronomy 10:18. If you are a woman, however, you may want to go the route of the feminine form:
אֹהֶבֶת
You can see an example of this word in Genesis 25:28.
Perhaps you would rather have the tattoo say One Who Is Loved.
That is the Qal Passive Participle and looks like this:
אָהוּב
You can see an example in Nehemiah 13:26. If you are a woman, however, you may want to go the route of the feminine form:
אֲהוּבָה
You can see an example of this word in Deuteronomy 21:15.
Chase Says:
I would also point out that the vowel points are optional, and that a tattoo w/out points would be more "authentic" in a way. I also happen think Hebrew looks better without the points.
Shaun Jones Says:
Hi there,
I am wondering if you would be able to help me! i am trying to write ( FOREVER BLESSED ) in Biblical Hebrew as it was writen in the first testiment!… i have been trying to learn how to write it but there is so many ways, it is important that the writing in the original text is spot on….. I would real like your help and would like to hear from you.
Would it be possible for you to email what you come up with? it would be very appreciated.
festhydro@optusnet.com.au
oliviamarie@bigpond.com
Regards,
Shaun Jones