Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

b-hebrew - RE: My understanding of Gen 1:1-3

b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: Biblical Hebrew Forum

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: Andrew & Debby Kulikovsky <hermeneutics AT kulikovskyonline.net>
  • To: Biblical Hebrew <b-hebrew AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
  • Subject: RE: My understanding of Gen 1:1-3
  • Date: Sat, 17 Aug 2002 23:56:47 +0200


At 07:50 AM 17/08/2002 -0600, Dave Washburn wrote:
> >presented. The latter part of Judges 12 has several "chains" of
> >WAYYIQTOL that cannot possibly be "sequential," in terms of time
> >or "logical consequence" or any of the other common extensions of
> >the term.
>
> I don't see the problem here at all. They seem quite clearly sequential to me.

This is the funniest thing I've read here in many a day. So what
you're saying is, Ibzan judged Israel for an indeterminate time
(wayyiqtol), took time off to have 60 kids (wayyiqtol) and raise them
old enough to marry them all off, then resumed judging for 7 years
(wayyiqtol). Elon judged Israel (wayyiqtol) then judged some more
(wayyiqtol). Abdon, like Ibzan, judged for a while (wayyiqtol), took a
vacation to raise his children and grandchildren (wayyiqtol) and then
resumed judging (wayyiqtol). Oh, "clearly sequential." Uh huh.
Sure. Get real.

Ok. I was looking at the larger structure and flow of the account. Now that you have specifically pointed out what you find problematic, I can explain the function of the wayyiqtol more intelligently.

Here is Judges 12:8-10:
After him, Ibzan of Bethlehem led (wayyiqtol) He had (wayyiqtol) thirty sons and thirty daughters. He gave (wayyiqtol) his daughters away in marriage to those outside his clan, and for his sons he brought (wayyiqtol) in thirty young women as wives from outside his clan. Ibzan led (wayyiqtol) Israel seven years. Then Ibzan died (wayyiqtol), and was buried (wayyiqtol) in Bethlehem.

Ok, now as I said wayyiqtol most often indicates to sequence, but may be epexegetical or a pluperfect. Therefore:
1. led - sequence
2. had sons/daughters - epexegetical - because this obviously took some time and he most likely had many of then before he became leader.
3. gave away - epexegetical - in line with the context.
4. brought - epexegetical - in line with the context.
5. led - epexegetical - since v. 8 said this already.
6. died - sequential - obviously after he led.
7. buried - sequential - obviously after he died.

So the main storyline consists of:
1. Ibzan led
2. Ibzan died
3. Ibzan was buried

The other wayyiqtols expound what occurred during his leadership in relation to his children and the length of time he ruled.

BTW, I don't recall anyone saying that the wayyiqtol form ONLY indicates sequence.

> Not according to virtually every other Hebrew grammarian including Driver,
> GKC, Kelly, Juon Waltke and O'Connor.

Do you really suppose I haven't read them, Andrew? You border on
being insulting with this kind of condescension. It was years of
study of these grammars that pointed out to me the weakness of the
theory. And incidentally, it's Jouon, not Juon, and you need a
comma after it. I can be condescending, too <g>

Do you really suppose I know exactly what you have read, David? You ARE being insulting with this kind of condescension.

Like Ibzan and Abdon, right? Yup. "Easily detected."

See above.

I suggest you
read something beyond the basics. You could start with Andersen,
and then move on to my 1994 Hebrew Studies paper. You are
clearly one of those people who needs to "get over it." A good basic
book on linguistics would be a good investment, as well, something
like Radford's "Transformational Grammar." Andersen and I both
show plenty of places where there is no connection between a
wayyiqtol and what precedes. Until your learning gets beyond this
kind of simplistic regurgitation of what you've read, I don't think we
can have a productive conversation.

Now you are making assumptions about what I have read.


cheers,
Andrew
--
Andrew & Debby Kulikovsky
Check out my Biblical Hermeneutics web site:
http://hermeneutics.kulikovskyonline.net

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?





Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page