Number Dual

Summary

The dual form of a term usually refers to a pair of items.

Article

Nouns change their form according to their number, either singular, dual, or plural. The dual ending does not only mean “two” but usually refers to a pair of something, such as עֵינַ֥יִם (two eyes) or אָזְנַ֣יִם (two ears).

Note

Dual nouns always take adjectives with a plural ending, not a dual ending.

Form

Both masculine and feminine terms take the same dual ending, ־ַיִם (pathah-yod-hireq-final mem).

Dual Paradigm

Word

Hebrew

Transliteration

Gloss

Masculine dual absolute

אָזְנַיִם

‘aznayim

(both) ears

Masculine dual construct

אָזְנֵי

‘azney

(both) ears of

Female dual absolute

יָדַיִם

yadayim

(both) hands

Feminine dual construct

יְדֵי

yede

(both) hands of

Example

Example: DEU 29:4 (DEU 29:3 in Hebrew)
וְלֹֽא־נָתַן֩ יְהוָ֨ה לָכֶ֥ם לֵב֙ לָדַ֔עַת וְעֵינַ֥יִם לִרְא֖וֹת

וְאָזְנַ֣יִם לִשְׁמֹ֑עַ
welo-nathan yehwah lakhem lev lada’ath we’enayim lir’oth

we’oznayim lishmoa’
And-not_has-given Yahweh to-them heart to-know and-eyes to-see

and-ears to hear.
Yahweh has not given you a heart to know, eyes to see or ears

to hear.