Biblical Hebrew Forum

[ben.crick AT argonet.co.uk (Ben Crick)]

On Tue  3 Nov 98 (19:47:38), 596547 AT ican.net wrote:
> Can someone point me to literature beyond the standard grammars which
> discusses the distinction between the vetitive )al yiqtol and prohibitive
> lo) yiqtol?  Thanks much.  Or perhaps you have your own intuitions
> you'd like to share?

 Dear Bryan

 I was always taught that `aL plus the Jussive was a *Dissuasion*; either
 `aL-TiQ+eLuW or `aL-YiQ+oL (with MaQQePh): "Don't kill; Let him not kill".
 This is a sort of negative entreaty, rather than a Veto or a Prohibition.

 But a very strong *Prohibition* (is that what you mean by Vetitive, from
 /veto/, I prohibit?) uses Lo' plus the Jussive; e.g. Lo' TiRTsaCh (Exodus
 20:13, thou shalt not murder) [not quite the same as Thou shalt not kill].

 In most cases the Jussive is identical with the Imperfect. OTOH the
 Imperative is the Imperfect minus its pronominal prefix. The Imperative
 is always used for positive Commands; never for negative Prohibitions or
 Inhibitions. That's where `aL or Lo' plus the Jussive comes in.

 My 2c.

 ShaLoWM

 Ben
-- 
 Revd Ben Crick, BA CF
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