construct

Two nouns placed next to each other make up a construct chain which is the rough equivalent of the genitive case in Greek. The first noun is said to be in the construct state; the last noun is said to be in absolute state.   more  |  video    The following would be translated, “sons of Joseph”.

בְּנֵי יֹוסֵף

The first noun is said to be in the construct state; the second noun is said to be in absolute state.

Note:

1. a noun ending in sere-yod, is always a masculine plural noun in construct;
2. the entire construct chain is to be considered definite when the last noun is definite.