How to Translate Biblical Hebrew Accurately

Using Genesis 2:1-10 for examples I will show you here the correct process in translating the original Hebrew accurately. When translating the Biblical Hebrew there are a number of things to consider such as: Diacritics (the niquud or vowel system), tense, gender base, grammar, context, culture, definition, root family, plurality, source etc.

With regards to tense: Modern Hebrew like other languages expresses itself in 3 tenses: “past, present, and future”. Whereas Biblical Hebrew uses the idea of perfect and imperfect tenses. Something spoken of in the perfect tense means it has already been accomplished, imperfect tense means it is yet to be accomplished; that said, something that is seen as guaranteed to be accomplished in the future can also be spoken of in the perfect tense as if it has been completed, even though it has not yet taken place. Also the past is seen as something that is considered to be in front of us, as what has taken place can be seen; whereas the future is seen as being behind us as it is unknown. This can be compared to rowing a boat: when rowing, we face the back of the boat and can see where we have been.

For each of these verses I have also added in the transliterated sounds above the Hebrew for each letter and word to help you understand how to correctly read/pronounce the Hebrew.

After each translation I have provided a word for word breakdown of how to arrive at the final literal translation.

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Also at the bottom of this page is a Mechanical translation of Psa. 95 from Jeff Benner. It is interesting to note the difference in verse 11 when considering the literal Hebrew.

Genesis 2:1

וַיְכֻלּוּ (vai- khu-lu)

This base word is the verb כלה (kalah) meaning "to finish" or "complete." The prefix י (y) and the suffix ו (u) identify the verb tense as imperfect - will finish - and the subject of the verb as third person, masculine, singular - they will finish. The prefix ו (v) means "and" and also reverses the tense of the verb – and they finished. Most verbs ending with the letter ה (h), drop this letter when conjugated. As we have seen in many examples, each verb identifies the tense of the verb (perfect or imperfect) but each verb also identifies its voice (active, passive or reflexive). An example of an active verb would be "they finished." A passive verb would be "they were finished." And a reflexive verb would be "they finished themselves." The "u" in the middle of the word identifies this verb as passive so it should be translated as "they were finished."

הַשָּׁמַיִם (ha-sha-ma-yim)

This is the word שמים (shamayim) meaning "skies." The prefix ה (ha) means "the" – "the skies."

וְהָאָרֶץ (ve-ha-a- rets)

This is the word ארץ (arets) meaning "land." The prefix ה (ha) means "the" and the prefix ו (ve) means "and" – "and the land."

וְכָל (ve-khol)

This is the word כל (kol) meaning "all." The prefix ו (ve) means "and" – "and all."

צְבָאָם (tse-va-am)

The base word is the noun צבא (tsava) which literally means "army." The suffix מ (m) is the third person masculine pronoun – "them." When combined this word means "armies of them" or "their armies."

Genesis 2:2

וַיְכַל (vai-khal)

The base word is כלה (kalah) meaning "to finish." The prefix י (y) identifies the verb tense as imperfect - will finish - and the subject of the verb as third person, masculine, singular - he will finish. The prefix ו (v) means "and," but also reverses the tense of the verb – and he finished.

אֱלֹהִים (e-lo- hiym)

Elohiym, El meaning might or power. Here in it's plural form it can be translated as "mighty ones", and is the subject of the previous verb: in other words, it is the "mighty ones" who finished their business.

בַּיֹּום; (ba- yom)

This is the word יום (yom) meaning "day" with the prefix ב (ba) meaning "in." Combined these mean "in the day."

הַשְּׁבִיעִי (hash-vee-ee)

This is the word שביעי (she-vee-ee) meaning "seventh" with the prefix ה (ha) meaning "the." This word and the previous one, are in the construct state and would then be translated as "in the seventh day."

מְלַאכְתֹּו (me-lakh-to)

The base word is מלאכה (melakhah) meaning "business. The suffix ו (v) is the third person, masculine, singular, possessive pronoun – "of him." This word means "business of him" or "his business." When a pronoun suffix is added to the end of a noun that ends with the letter ה (h), the ה is replaced by the ת (t).

אֲשֶׁר (a-sher)

This word means "which" or "who."

עָשָׂה (a-sah)

This verb means "to do." This form of the verb does not include any prefixes or suffixes, which always identifies the subject of the verb as third person, masculine, singular and the tense of the verb as perfect – he did.

וַיִּשְׁבֹּת (vai-yish-bot)

The base word is שבת (shavat – the root of the noun shabbat/sabbath) meaning "to cease." The prefix י identifies the verb tense as imperfect - will cease - and the subject of the verb as third person, masculine, singular - he will cease. The prefix ו (v) means "and," but also reverses the tense of the verb – and he ceased.

בַּיֹּום (ba- yom)

This is the word יום (yom) meaning "day" with the prefix ב (ba) meaning "in." Combined these mean "in the day."

הַשְּׁבִיעִי (hash-vee-ee)

This is the word שביעי (she-vee-ee) meaning "seventh" with the prefix ה (ha) mean "the." This word and the previous one are in the construct state and would then be translated as "the seventh day."

מִכָּל (mi-kol)

This base word is כל (kol) meaning "all." The prefix מ (mi) means "from." Combined, this word means "from all."

מְלַאכְתֹּו (me-lakh-to)

אֲשֶׁר (a-sher)

This word means "which" or "who."

עָשָׂה (a-sah)

This verb means "to do." The form of the verb (no prefixes or suffixes) identifies the subject of the verb as third person, masculine, singular and the tense as perfect – he did.

Genesis 2:3

וַיְבָרֶךְ (vai- va-rekh)

The base word is the verb ברך (B-R-K). This verb literally means "kneel down to show respect to another." The prefix י identifies the verb tense as imperfect - will respect - and the subject of the verb as third person, masculine, singular - he will respect. The prefix ו (v) means "and" but also reverses the tense of the verb – and he respected.

אֱלֹהִים (e-lo- hiym)

This word literally means mighty ones (plural) but is often used in a singular sense as a name (usually translated as God). This is the subject (the "he") of the previous verb.

אֶת (et)

This word precedes the direct object of a verb. It is not translatable and is used only to provide grammatical direction.

יֹום (yom)

This word means "day."

הַשְּׁבִיעִי (hash-viy-iy)

The base word is the noun שביעי (sheviyiy) meaning seventh. The prefix ה (h) means "the." This word is combined with the previous word to form the phrase "the seventh day" which is the direct object of the previous verb.

וַיְקַדֵּשׁ (vai-qa-deysh)

The base word is the verb קדש (Q-D-Sh). This verb literally means "set apart for a special purpose." The prefix י (y) identifies the verb tense as imperfect - will set apart - and the subject of the verb as third person, masculine, singular - he will set apart. The prefix ו (v) means "and" but also reverses the tense of the verb – and he set apart.

אֹתֹו (o-to)

The base word is the word את (et) which precedes the direct object of the verb which, in this case is the suffix ו (v) meaning "him."

כִּי (kiy)

This word means "for" or "because."

בֹו (vo)

This is the prefix ב (b) meaning "in" and the suffix ו meaning "him." Combined, these mean "in him."

שָׁבַת (sha-vat)

This verb means "cease an activity." Because of the lack of any prefixes or suffixes the subject of the verb is third person, masculine singular, and the tense of the verb as perfect – he ceased.

מִכָּל (mi-kol)

The base word is כל (kol) meaning "all." The prefix מ (m) means "from." Combined, this means "from all."

מְלַאכְתֹּו (me-lakh-to)

This is the word מלאכה (me-la-khah) meaning "business." The suffix ו (v) means "of him." Combined, this word means "his business." When a suffix is added to a feminine noun ending with the letter ה (h), the ה (h) is changed to a ת (t).

אֲשֶׁר (a-sher)

This word means "which" or "who."

בָּרָא (ba-ra)

This verb means "fatten up" or "fill up." Because of the lack of any prefixes or suffixes the subject of the verb is third person, masculine singular, and the tense of the verb as perfect – he filled.

אֱלֹהִים (e-lo- hiym)

This word literally means mighty ones (plural) but is often used in the singular as a name (usually translated as God). This is the subject (the "he") of the previous verb.

לַעֲשֹׂות (la-a- sot)

The base word is the verb עשה (Ah-S-H) meaning "do." It is written in the infinitive form which simply describes the action without identifying the subject or the tense of the verb. The prefix ל (l) means "to." Combined, this word means "to do."

Genesis 2:4

אֵלֶּה (ey-lah)

This word means "these."

תוֹלְדוֹת (tol- dot)

The word תולדה (tol-dah) literally means "birthing," the generation that proceeds out of the progenitor. This word is written in the plural, as indicated by the feminine plural suffix ות (ot). Because of the addition of this suffix, the letter ה (h) is dropped.

הַשָּׁמַיִם (ha-sha-ma-yim)

This is the word שמים (sha-ma-yim), meaning "skies", with the ה (h) prefix meaning "the."

וְהָאָרֶץ (ve-ha-a- rets)

This is the word ארץ (e-rets) meaning "land," with the ה (h) prefix meaning "the" and the ו (v) prefix meaning "and."

בְּהִבָּרְאָם (be-hi-bar-am)

The base word is the verb ברא (B-R-A) meaning "to fatten" or "to fill." The ה (hi) prefix identifies the verb as being in the niphal and imperative forms – be filled. The suffix ם (m) identifies the object of the verb as third person, masculine, plural – they were filled. The prefix ב is the preposition meaning "in" or "with" – with their being filled.

בְּיוֹם (be-yom)

This is the word יום (yom) meaning day with the prefix ב (b), the preposition meaning "in."

עֲשׂוֹת (a-sot)

This is the verb עשה (Ah-S-H) meaning "to do" or "to make" but it is written in the infinitive construct form and would be translated as "making."

יְהוָה (YHWH)

This is the name of God.

אֱלֹהִים (e-lo- hiym)

This word, which includes the masculine plural suffix ים (iym), can be translated as gods, judges or more literally mighty ones, but it is usually translated as "God." (Note: when two nouns are placed together, such as with the names YHWH and Elohiym, they are in the construct state which, in English, would have the word "of" placed between them.

אֶרֶץ (a-rets)

This word means land.

וְשָׁמָיִם (ve-sha-ma-yim)

This is the word שמים (sha-ma-yim), meaning "skies", with the ו (v) prefix meaning "and."

Genesis 2:5

וְכֹל (ve-khol)

This is the word כל (kol) meaning "all" with the prefix ו meaning "and" – and all.

שִׂיחַ (see-ahh)

This is a noun meaning shrub.

הַשָּׂדֶה (ha-sa- deh)

This is the noun שדה (sadey) meaning "field" with the prefix ה (h) meaning "the" – the field.

טֶרֶם (te-rem)

This word means "before" or "not yet."

יִהְיֶה (yeeh-yeh)

This is the verb היה (H.Y.H) meaning to "exist." The prefix י identifies the verb tense as imperfect - will exist - and the subject of the verb as third person, masculine, singular - he will exist.

בָאָרֶץ (va-a-rets)

This is the noun ארץ (erets) meaning "land" with the prefix ב (ba) meaning "in the" – in the land.

וְכָל (ve-khol)

This is the word כל (kol) meaning "all" with the prefix ו (v) meaning "and" – and all.

עֵשֶׂב (ey-sev)

This is a noun meaning herb.

הַשָּׂדֶה (ha-sa- deh)

This is the noun שדה (sadey) meaning "field" with the prefix ה (h) meaning "the" – the field.

טֶרֶם (te-rem)

This word means "before" or "not yet."

יִצְמָח (yeets-mahh)

This is the verb צמח (Ts.M.Hh) meaning to "sprout." The prefix י (y) identifies the verb tense as imperfect - will sprout - and the subject of the verb as third person, masculine, singular - he will sprout (the "he" being the "field").

כִּי (kee)

This word is a preposition meaning "because," "that," or "so."

לֹא (lo)

This word means "no" and is usually used to negate the proceeding verb.

הִמְטִיר (hee- teer)

This is the verb מטר (M.Th.R) meaning to "rain." The structure of the verb also identifies the verb tense as perfect – he rained. The prefix ה (hee) along with the י (ee) infix, identifies the verb as a hiphil (causative) verb – he made rain, or he caused to rain. But, the preceding word לא negates this verb – he did not cause it to rain.

יְהוָה (YHWH)

This is the four letter name often pronounced as "Yahweh."

אֱלֹהִים (e-lo- hiym)

This word, which includes the masculine plural suffix ים (iym), can be translated as gods, judges or more literally as mighty ones, but it is usually translated "God." (Note: when two nouns are placed together, such as with the names YHWH and Elohiym, they are in the construct state which, in English, would have the word "of" placed between them.

עַל (al)

This word means "over" or "upon."

הָאָרֶץ (ha-a-rets)

This is the noun ארץ (arets) meaning "land." The prefix ה (h) means "the" – the land.

וְאָדָם (ve-a-dam)

This noun אדם (adam) means "human." The prefix ו (v) means "and" – and a human.

אַיִן (a-yeen)

This word means "without."

לַעֲבֹד (la-a-vod)

This is the verb עבד (Ah.B.D) meaning "serve" and is written in the infinitive form. The prefix ל (l) means "to" – to serve.

אֶת (et)

This word precedes the direct object of a verb. It is not translatable and is used only to provide grammatical direction.

הָאֲדָמָה (ha-a-da- mah)

This is the noun אדמה (adamah) meaning "ground." The prefix ה (h) means "the." Combined, this word means "the ground."

Genesis 2:6

וְאֵד (ve'eyd)

This word אד (eyd, a masculine noun) means a "mist" and the prefix ו (ve) means "and" – and a mist.

יַעֲלֶה (ya'a'leh)

The verb עלה (Ah.L.H) means to "go up." The prefix י (ya) identifies the subject of the verb (which is the word אד) as masculine singular (he), and the tense of the verb as imperfect (will) – he will go up.

מִן (meen)

This word means "from."

הָאָרֶץ (ha'a'rets)

This is the word ארץ (arets) meaning land, with the prefix ה (ha) meaning "the" – the land.

וְהִשְׁקָה (ve'hish'qah)

This is the verb שקה (Sh.Q.H) meaning to "drink." The prefix ה (hi) identifies the verb form as "causative" (to cause or make one drink). The written form of this verb identifies the subject of the verb as masculine singular (he) and the tense of the verb as pefect (did). The prefix ו (ve) means "and," but also reverses the tense of the verb to imperfect (will) – and he will cause to drink.

אֶת (et)

This word precedes the direct object (the next three words) of the verb.

כָּל (kol)

This word means "all."

פְּנֵי (pe'ney)

This is the word פנה (paneh) meaning "face," but is always written in the plural form – פנים (paniym). This word is in the construct state (face of...) and a plural noun drops the final mem (ם) when in the construct state.

הָאֲדָמָה (ha'a'da'mah)

This is the word אדמה (adamah) meaning ground, with the prefix ה (ha) meaning "the" – the ground.

Genesis 2:7

וַיִּיצֶר (vai-yiy- tser)

The verb is יצר (Y.Ts.R) meaning to "press" in the sense of forming clay into a shape. The prefix י (y) identifies the verb tense as imperfect - will press - and the subject of the verb as third person, masculine, singular - he will press. The prefix ו (v) means "and" but also reverses the tense of the verb – and he pressed.

יְהוָה (YHWH)

This is the name Yahweh, and is the subject of the previous verb – YHWH pressed.

אֱלֹהִים (eh-lo- hiym)

This is the word frequently translated as "God" but literally means "Powers" or "mighty ones". This is a plural word (as identified by the "iym" suffix).

אֶת (et)

This word precedes and identifies the definite object of the previous verb.

הָאָדָם (ha-a-dam)

This is the word אדם (adam) meaning "human" with the prefix ה (h) meaning "the."

עָפָר (a-phar)

This word means "dust" or "powder."

מִן (miyn)

This word means "from."

הָאֲדָמָה (ha-a-da- mah)

This is the word אדמה (adamah) meaning "ground" with the prefix ה (h) meaning "the."

וַיִּפַּח (vai-yi- phahh)

The verb is נפח (N.P.Hh) meaning to "blow." A root beginning with the letter נ (n) drops this letter from the word when it is conjugated. The prefix י (y) identifies the verb tense as imperfect - will blow - and the subject of the verb as third person, masculine, singular - he will blow. The prefix ו (v) means "and" but also reverses the tense of the verb – and he blew.

בְּאַפָּיו (be-a-pahv)

This base word is אף (aph) meaning nose, but is written in the plural form – אפים (aphiym), which means "nostrils." The suffix ו (v) means "of him" and because of this word is in the construct state (nostrils OF him) the ם (m) is dropped from the word אפים. The prefix ב (b) means "in." All combined, this word means "in his nostrils."

נִשְׁמַת (nish- mat)

This is the word נשמה (neshamah) meaning "breath." The word is in the construct state (breath of...) so the ה (H) is changed to ת (T).

חַיִּים (hhai-yim)

This is the word חי (hhai) meaning "living," but in the plural form, which means "life."

וַיְהִי (vai-hiy)

The verb is היה (H.Y.H) meaning to "exist." A root ending with the letter ה (H) drops this letter from the word when it is conjugated. The prefix י (y) identifies the verb tense as imperfect - will exist - and the subject of the verb as third person, masculine, singular - he will exist. The prefix ו (v) means "and" but also reverses the tense of the verb – and he existed.

הָאָדָם (ha-a-dam)

This is the word אדם (adam) meaning "human" with the prefix ה (h) meaning "the."

לְנֶפֶשׁ (le-ne- phesh)

This is the word נפש (nephesh) meaning "being" (the whole essence of a person), with the prefix ל (l) meaning "to" or "for."

חַיָּה (hhai-yah)

This is again, the word חי (hhai) meaning "living," but here being used as an adjective. The masculine form of this adjective is חי (hhai) while the feminine form is חיה (hhai-yah).

Genesis 2:8

וַיִּטַּע (vai-yi- ta)

The base word is the verb נטע (N.T.A) meaning "to plant." The prefix י (yud) identifies the verb tense as imperfect – will plant, and also identifies the subject of the verb as third person, masculine, singular – he will plant. The prefix ו (vav) means "and" but also reverses the tense of the verb from imperfect to perfect – and he planted. Also note that the letter נ (nun) is dropped once the verb is conjugated. This happens with any verb beginning with this letter.

יְהוָה (yhwh)

This is the Tetragramaton, the four letter name of God.

אֱלֹהִים (eh-lo- hiym)

The base word is אלוה (e-lo-ah), which is commonly translated as "God" or "god," but more literally means "one of power and authority." The suffix ים (iym) is the masculine plural so this word means "gods" or more literally "mighty ones." However, this plural noun is often used as a name for YHWH.

גַּן (gan)

This noun means garden.

בְּעֵדֶן (be-ey- den)

The base word is עדן (eyden) meaning "delight" and is the place name Eden. The prefix ב (b) means "in" – in Eden.

מִקֶּדֶם (mee-qe- dem)

The base word is קדם (qedem) meaning "east" (but can also mean "ancient"). The prefix מ (m) means "from" – from [the] east, or "eastward."

וַיָּשֶׂם (vai-ya- sem)

The base word is the verb שים (S.Y.M) meaning "to place." The prefix י (yud) identifies the verb tense as imperfect – will place, and also identifies the subject of the verb as third person, masculine, singular – he will place. The prefix ו (vav) means "and" but also reverses the tense of the verb from imperfect to perfect – and he placed. Also note that the letter י (yud) is dropped once the verb is conjugated, which frequently occurs. The name/word Elohiym is also the subject of this verb.

שָׁם (sham)

This word means "there."

אֶת (et)

This word precedes the definite object of the verb.

הָאָדָם (ha-a-dam)

The base word is אדם (adam) meaning "human." The prefix ה (h) means "the" – the human. This noun is the definite object of the verb וישם.

אֲשֶׁר (ah-sher)

This is the relative pronoun which can be translated as which, who or what.

יָצָר (ya-tsar)

This is the verb יצר (Y.Ts.R) meaning "to press into shape." Because the verb does not contain any prefixes or suffixes it identifies the verb tense as perfect – formed, and also identifies the subject of the verb as third person, masculine, singular – he pressed into shape.

Genesis 2:9

וַיַּצְמַח (vai- yats-mahh)

The base word is the verb צמח (Ts.M.Hh) meaning "to spring up." The prefix י (yud) identifies the verb tense as imperfect – will spring up, and also identifies the subject of the verb as third person, masculine, singular – he will spring up. The prefix ו (vav) means "and" but also reverses the tense of the verb from imperfect to perfect – and he sprang up. In addition, the verb is written in the hiphil (causative) form so would be translated as "and he caused to spring up."

יְהוָה (YHWH)

This is the Tetragramaton, the four letter name of God.

אֱלֹהִים (eh-lo- hiym)

The base word is אלוה (e-lo-ah), which is commonly translated as "God" or "god," but more literally means "one of power and authority" or "mighty ones". The suffix ים (iym) is the masculine plural so this word means "gods" or "ones of power and authority." However, this plural noun is often used as a name for YHWH. This word, as well as the name YHWH, is the subject of the previous verb – and YHWH the Elohiym caused to spring up.

מִן (meen)

This word means "from."

הָאֲדָמָה (ha-a-da- mah)

The base word is אדמה (adamah) meaning "ground." The prefix ה (h) means "the" – the ground.

כָּל (kol)

This word means "all" or "every."

עֵץ (eyts)

This word is a noun meaning "tree."

נֶחְמָד (nehh-mad)

The base word is the verb חמד (Hh.M.D) meaning "to crave." This verb is written in the participle form and would be a translated as "craving." The prefix נ (n) also identifies this verb as passive – "be a craving."

לְמַרְאֶה (le-mar- eh)

The base word is מראה (mar’eh) meaning "appearance." The prefix ל (l) means "to" or "for" – for appearance.

וְטוֹב (ve-tov)

The base word is טוב (tov) meaning "good." The prefix ו (v) means "and" – and good.

לְמַאֲכָל (le-ma-a- khol)

The base word is מאכל (ma’a’khol) meaning "food." The prefix ל (l) means "to" or "for" – for food.

וְעֵץ (ve-eyts)

The base word is עץ (eyts) meaning "tree." The prefix ו (v) means "and" – and a tree.

הַחַיִּים (ha-hhai- yeem)

The base word is חי (hhai) meaning "living," but the ים (yeem) is the masculine plural suffix, which changes the meaning to "life." The prefix ה (h) means "the." This word, with the previous one, is a compound phrase and would be translated as "the tree of life."

בְּתוֹךְ (be- tokh)

The base word is תוך (tokh) meaning "middle." The prefix ב (b) means "in" – in the middle.

הַגָּן (ha-gan)

The base word is גן (gan) meaning "garden." The prefix ה (h) means "the" – the garden.

וְעֵץ (ve-eyts)

The base word is עץ (eyts) meaning "tree." The prefix ו (v) means "and" – and a tree.

הַדַּעַת (ha-da- at)

The base word is דעת (da’at) meaning "experience." The prefix ה (h) means "the." This word, with the previous one, is a compound phrase and would be translated as "the tree of experience."

טוֹב (tov)

This word means "good."

וָרָע (va-ra)

The base word is רע (ra) meaning "bad." The prefix ו (v) means "and" – and bad.

Genesis 2:10

וְנָהָר (ve-na-har)

The word נהר (nahar), meaning a "river." and the prefix ו (ve) meaning "and" – and a river.

יֹצֵא (yo-tsey)

This is the verb יצא (Y.Ts.A) meaning "to go out," but is written in the participle form – going out.

מֵעֵדֶן (mey-ey- dehn)

This is the noun עדן (eyden) meaning "delight" and is the place name Eden. The prefix מ (m) means "from" – from Eden.

לְהַשְׁקֹות (le-hash-qot)

This is the verb שקה (Sh.Q.H) meaning to "drink," but written in the hiphil (causative) form. The prefix ל (l) means "to" – to cause to drink. A root ending with the letter ה (H) drops this letter from the word when it is conjugated.

אֶת (et)

This word precedes the direct object of the verb.

הַגָּן (ha-gan)

The noun גן means garden and is preceded by the prefix ה (h) meaning "the" - the garden.

וּמִשָּׁם (u-mi- sham)

This is the word שם (sham) meaning "there" and is preceded by the prefixes מ (m) meaning "from" and ו (v) meaning "and" - and from there.

יִפָּרֵד (yi-pa- reyd)

The verb פרד (P.R.D) means to "divide." The prefix י (Y) identifies the subject of the verb as masculine singular (he), and the tense of the verb as imperfect – he divides. The construct of this verb also identifies this verb as a niphil (passive) verb - he is divided.

וְהָיָה (ve-ha-yah)

The verb is היה (H.Y.H) meaning to "exist." This verb identifies the verb tense as perfect - existed - and the subject of the verb as third person, masculine, singular - he existed. The prefix ו (v) means "and" but also reverses the tense of the verb – and he will exist.

לְאַרְבָּעָה (le-ar-ba-ah)

The word is ארבעה (arba'ah) means "four." The prefix ל (l) means "to" – to four.

רָאשִׁים (ra- shiym)

This is the word ראש (rosh) meaning "head," but includes the ים (iym) masculine plural suffix – heads.

Another example:

Psalm 95 - (A Mechanical Translation by Jeff Benner)

1 !(mp)~WALK(V) {לְכוּ / lê'khu} we~will~much~SHOUT.ALOUD(V)~& {נְרַנְּנָה / nê'ran'nah} to~YHWH {לַיהוָה / la'YHWH} we~will~make~SIGNAL(V)~& {נָרִיעָה / na'riy'ah} to~BOULDER {לְצוּר / lê'tsur} RESCUE~us {יִשְׁעֵנוּ / yish'ey'nu}
RMT: Walk, we will shout aloud to YHWH, we will make a signal to the boulder of our rescue.

2 we~will~much~FACE.TOWARD(V)~& {נְקַדְּמָה / nê'qad'mah} FACE~s~him {פָנָיו / pha'naw} in~THANKS {בְּתוֹדָה / bê'to'dah} in~MUSICAL.SOUNDS~s {בִּזְמִרוֹת / biz'mi'rot} we~will~make~SIGNAL(V) {נָרִיעַ / na'riy'a} to~~him {לוֹ / lo}
RMT: We will face toward his face with thanks, with musical sounds we will make a signal to him.

3 GIVEN.THAT {כִּי / ki} MIGHTY.ONE {אֵל / eyl} GREAT {גָּדוֹל / ga'dol} YHWH {יְהוָה / YHWH} and~KING {וּמֶלֶךְ / u'me'lekh} GREAT {גָּדוֹל / ga'dol} UPON {עַל / al} ALL {כָּל / kol} Elohiym {אֱלֹהִים / e'lo'him}

RMT: Given that YHWH is the great mighty one, and the great king over all Elohiym[1].

4 WHICH {אֲשֶׁר / a'sher} in~HAND~him {בְּיָדוֹ / bê'ya'do} UNSEEN.DEPTH~s {מֶחְקְרֵי / mehh'q'rey} LAND {אָרֶץ / a'rets} and~BULK~s {וְתוֹעֲפוֹת / wê'to'a'phot} HILL~s {הָרִים / ha'rim} to~~him {לוֹ / lo}
RMT: Which, in his hand are the unseen depths of the land, and the bulk of the hills belong to him.

5 WHICH {אֲשֶׁר / a'sher} to~~him {לוֹ / lo} the~SEA {הַיָּם / hai'yam} and~HE {וְהוּא / wê'hu} he~did~DO(V)~him {עָשָׂהוּ / a'sa'hu} and~DRY.LAND {וְיַבֶּשֶׁת / wê'ya'be'shet} HAND~s2~him {יָדָיו / ya'daw} they~did~MOLD(V) {יָצָרוּ / ya'tsa'ru}
RMT: Which, belonging to him is the sea, and he made him, and his hands molded the dry land.

6 !(mp)~COME(V) {בֹּאוּ / bo'u} we~did~self~BEND.DOWN(V) {נִשְׁתַּחֲוֶה / nish'ta'hha'weh} and~we~will~STOOP(V)~& {וְנִכְרָעָה / wê'nikh'ra'ah} we~will~KNEEL(V)~& {נִבְרְכָה / niv'r'khah} to~FACE~s {לִפְנֵי / liph'ney} YHWH {יְהוָה / YHWH} DO(V)~ing(ms)~us {עֹשֵׂנוּ / o'sey'nu}
RMT: Come, we bent down and we stooped, we will kneel to the face of YHWH our doer[2].

7 GIVEN.THAT {כִּי / ki} HE {הוּא / hu} Elohiym~us {אֱלֹהֵינוּ / e'lo'hey'nu} and~WE {וַאֲנַחְנוּ / wa'a'nahh'nu} PEOPLE {עַם / am} PASTURE~him {מַרְעִיתוֹ / mar'iy'to} and~FLOCKS {וְצֹאן / wê'tson} HAND~him {יָדוֹ / ya'do} the~DAY {הַיּוֹם / hai'yom} IF {אִם / im} in~VOICE~him {בְּקֹלוֹ / bê'qo'lo} you(mp)~will~HEAR(V) {תִשְׁמָעוּ / tish'ma'u}
RMT: Given that he is our Elohiym, and we are the people of his pasture, and the flocks of his hand, today, if you will hear his voice.

8 DO.NOT {אַל / al} you(mp)~will~make~BE.HARD(V) {תַּקְשׁוּ / taq'shu} HEART~you(mp) {לְבַבְכֶם / lê'va've'khem} like~Meriyvah {כִּמְרִיבָה / kim'riy'vah} like~DAY {כְּיוֹם / kê'yom} Mas'sah {מַסָּה / ma'sah} in~the~WILDERNESS {בַּמִּדְבָּר / ba'mid'bar}

RMT: You will not make your heart hard like at Meriyvah, like the day of Mas'sah in the wilderness.

9 WHICH {אֲשֶׁר / a'sher} they~did~much~TEST(V)~me {נִסּוּנִי / ni'su'niy} FATHER~s~you(mp) {אֲבוֹתֵיכֶם / a'vo'tey'khem} they~did~WATCH.OVER(V)~me {בְּחָנוּנִי / bê'hha'nu'niy} ALSO {גַּם / gam} they~did~SEE(V) {רָאוּ / ra'u} DEED~me {פָעֳלִי / pa'a'liy}

RMT: When your fathers tested me, they watched over me, also they saw my deed.

10 FOUR~s {אַרְבָּעִים / ar'ba'im} YEAR {שָׁנָה / sha'nah} I~will~LOATHE(V) {אָקוּט / a'qut} in~GENERATION {בְּדוֹר / bê'dor} and~I~will~SAY(V) {וָאֹמַר / wa'o'mar} PEOPLE {עַם / am} WANDER(V)~ing(mp) {תֹּעֵי / to'ey} HEART {לֵבָב / ley'vav} THEY(m) {הֵם / heym} and~THEY(m) {וְהֵם / wê'heym} NOT {לֹא / lo} they~did~KNOW(V) {יָדְעוּ / yad'u} ROAD~s~me {דְרָכָי / dê'ra'khai}

RMT: Forty years I will loathe with a generation, and I said of the people, they are a wandering heart, and they, they do not know my roads.

11 WHICH {אֲשֶׁר / a'sher} I~did~be~SWEAR(V) {נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי / nish'ba'ti} in~NOSE~me {בְאַפִּי / vê'a'pi} IF {אִם / im} they(m)~will~COME(V)~must {יְבֹאוּן / yê'vo'un} TO {אֶל / el} OASIS~me {מְנוּחָתִי / mê'nu'hha'tiy}

RMT: When I swore with my nose[3], if they will certainly come to my oasis.

[1] This word may also be translated as "powers."
[2] Or "maker."
[3] Meaning "anger."

“Shouldn’t 95:11 read ‘will not enter my oasis?’”

This mechanical translation reads, “if they will certainly come to my oasis,” which is very different from most translations, such as the KJV which reads, “that they should not enter into my rest.”

NIV: They shall never enter my rest.
NASB: Truly they shall not enter into My rest.
ASV: That they should not enter into my rest.

But Young’s Literal Translation was a little different and agrees with this translation. "If they come in unto My rest."

To figure out what is going on here, let’s take a look at the Hebrew words in this phrase.

אם יבאון אל מנוחתי
im y’vo’un el m’nu’hha’tiy

The first word is the word אם (im, Strong’s #518), which means “if.” The second word is the verb יבאון (y’vo’un), which means “he must come” and is the conjugation of the verb בוא (B.W.A, Strong’s #935) meaning “to come.” The third word is the preposition אל (el, Strong’s #413) meaning “to” or “toward.” The last word is מנוחתי (m’nu’hha’tiy), which is the noun מנוחתי (m’nuhhah, Strong’s #4496) meaning “oasis” with the תי (tiy) suffix meaning “my” – my oasis.”

As you can see, there is no Hebrew word meaning “not” in this verse. The Hebrew word meaning “not” is the word לא (lo, Strong’s #408), which does not appear in this verse.

So why do all these other translations include the word “not?” It would appear that they are translating the word אם (im, Strong’s #518) as “not” because they probably believed that this would make more sense to translate it this way. In verse 10 we read that God loathed this generation because they did not follow his ways. Then, in verse 11, these translations are saying, that since they will not follow his ways, they will not enter his oasis. However, Jeff Benner's mechanical translation suggests that God is not admonishing them, but instead pleading with them by saying, “if only they will come to my oasis, then they will know my ways.”