Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Paul Zellmer <zellmer AT cag.pworld.net.ph>]

Trevor M Peterson wrote:

> Normally I'm just a lurker on this list, but I have a question about
> indirect volitives.

Trevor, don't apologize.  In the recent past, we all appeared to be lurkers 
on the
list.  There just wasn't much to see in our lurking, since there wasn't much 
activity!

You're using a term I'm not really familiar with, "*indirect* volitives."  I 
am
guessing, though, that these are the results if other volitives occur 
(apodosis-like
features) expressed in volitional-type language.  E.g., "Move the rook and 
*put him in
check* with the bishop (by uncovering the bishop's path)."

> First, is it *possible* to take the jussives with a
> waw conjunction in Gen 1:6,9,26 as indirect volitives, instead of simple,
> coordinating conjunctions?  Second, is it *more likely* that they should
> be taken this way?

If I have understood your term right, not only is it possible, but it is 
likely.  If
you have access to it, look at Waltke & O'Connor, 32.2.2 and 34.6.a.  In the 
latter
section, they write in part, "After an imperative a verbal form not preceded 
by its
subject or a negative particle is normally either a jusssive or a 
cohortative.  Where
a prefix-conjunction form is not morphologically marked in such a context, it 
may be
taken as having jussive or cohortative force.  The second volitional form 
signifies
purpose or result...."

HTH,

Paul

--
Paul and Dee Zellmer, Jimmy Guingab, Geoffrey Beltran
Ibanag Translation Project
Cabagan, Philippines

zellmer AT faith.edu.ph