Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Peter_Kirk AT SIL.ORG]

Maybe this is X-qatal, and maybe this explanation is correct. Dave 
Washburn's suggestion is also interesting.

But also there is textual doubt here (see BHS footnotes): apparently 
one Hebrew MS with support from LXX reads ("BER "region beyond" rather 
than (FBAR "passed on" (qatal). Several MSS and ancient versions add 
)EL- "to". So we could read "he passed through Mizpeh of Gilead, and 
from Mizpeh of Gilead to the other side of (the camp of) the sons of 
Ammon." This actually makes more sense than the MT; but one can see 
why (in a later period when X-qatal was the simple past tense) the 
consonants (BR were read as (FBAR to match the verb used twice already 
in the verse.

So my hypothesis is not falsified yet!

Peter Kirk


"Lee R. Martin" wrote:

> Dear Friends,
> Quite by accident, I found an interesting x-qatal in Judges 11:29.  The 
> narrative reads
> wayyiqtol -- The spirit of Yahweh came upon Jephthah,
> wayyiqtol -- and he passed through Gilead, and Manasseh 
> wayyiqtol -- and he passed through Mizpeh of Gilead
> x-qatal    --  and from Mizpeh of Gilead, he passed on to the sons of 
> Ammon.
> wayyiqtol -- And Jepthah vowed a vow ...(clip)
> wayyiqtol -- And Jepthah passed over to the sons of Ammon... 
>
> I would suggest that the the x-qatal does indeed present a sequential 
> event, but the event is out of sequence with the verse that follows.
> The x-qatal is used as a break for the reader.  This break may be called 
> peak (whatever that may be), and it highlights the vow of Jepthah.  The 
> vow is parenthetical to the battle-narrative (verses 29, 32, & 33).
> Thus, the vow is preceded by an x-qatal.  The content of the x-qatal is 
> then repeated in v.32 in order to resume the battle-narrative.  This
> break in the narrative also suggests that the writer is separating (in 
> causative sense) the vow from the influence of the spirit of Yahweh.
> That is, the spirit of Yahweh causes Jepthah to lead his forces into
> battle, but the vow is a separate event, that was not instigated by the 
> spirit of Yahweh.
>