I am learning Hebrew by reading the Old Testament in the original. Much of what seems explicit in the KJV is actually inferred and implicit in the Hebrew text. Is this a widespread characteristic of Biblical Hebrew?

Yes, it is a widespread characteristic of Biblical Hebrew that the text can be concise and leave certain details implicit, requiring interpretation or inference by the reader. There are several reasons for this:

Conciseness: Biblical Hebrew often employs brevity and economy of language, conveying ideas in a compact manner. This can lead to ambiguity or lack of explicitness in certain passages.

Contextual Understanding: Many nuances in Biblical Hebrew rely heavily on the broader context of the passage, as well as cultural and historical background, to fully grasp the meaning. Understanding the context surrounding a particular passage can shed light on implicit details.

Literary Style: The Old Testament comprises various literary genres, including narrative, poetry, prophecy, and wisdom literature. Each genre employs distinct stylistic features, including the use of metaphor, imagery, and symbolism, which may require interpretation to uncover implicit meanings.

Idiomatic Expressions: Biblical Hebrew contains idiomatic expressions and linguistic conventions that may not have direct equivalents in English or other languages. Translating these expressions accurately can be challenging and may result in implicit meanings being lost or obscured.

Cultural and Historical Context: The cultural and historical context in which the Old Testament was written can affect the interpretation of certain passages. What may seem implicit to modern readers may have been readily understood by ancient Hebrew audiences familiar with the customs, beliefs, and practices of the time.

Overall, while Biblical Hebrew can sometimes appear explicit in its brevity, there are often layers of meaning that require careful interpretation and consideration of the broader context to fully appreciate. This richness and complexity contribute to the ongoing study and interpretation of the Old Testament scriptures.