Biblical Hebrew Forum

[peter_kirk AT sil.org]

Sounds like you are trying to redefine "sequence" in a way different 
from how others are using it. Or perhaps to put up a straw man for 
others to shoot down. Would anyone claim that Genesis 5:3-5 is any 
less sequential because the birth of Enosh in verse 6 took place 
before the death of Adam in verse 5? Yes, there is a break in the 
sequence at verse 6, but that does not mean there is no sequence 
before that.

Peter Kirk


______________________________ Reply Separator 
_________________________________
Subject: Re[3]: What ARE the clues for sequence in BH?
Author:  <dwashbur AT nyx.net> at Internet
Date:    17/12/1999 07:20


Joe,
> I would, given the opportunity, strongly contend for Peter Kirk's original 
> point: an aorist participle preceding the main verb necessarily implies
> sequence of an action leading up to the action of the main verb.

I would have to rephrase this to say that the aorist participle is 
used to denote an action that is previous to the main verb, but it 
doesn't preclude other actions taking place between them, around 
them etc. that may also be indicated in the text, and hence its 
function is strictly denoting a previous event and not necessarily 
strict sequence as commonly defined in Hebrew.

Dave Washburn
http://www.nyx.net/~dwashbur
Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; 
give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name.
                                   Psalm 86:11