11.5 Cardinal Numbers 1-10
The numeral one is an attributive adjective - it follows its noun and agrees in gender, number, and definiteness
- As we mentioned previously, it is sometimes used as an indefinite article
- אִישׁ אֶחָד = one man = a man
Two through Ten are nouns
- They have both masculine and feminine forms
- They have absolute and construct forms
- Higher numbers >10 are nouns with no specific gender
Digits 1 and 2 match the gender of the noun
For example:
- בֵּן אֶחָד = one son
- בַּת אַחַת = one daughter
Digits 3-10 take the opposite gender of the noun
Additionally, they are “singular” even though the noun is plural.
For example:
- שְׁלֹשָׁה בָּנִים = three sons
- שְׁלֹשׁ בָּנוֹת = three daughters
The technical term for this is “chiastic concord” (you don’t need to know this)