Biblical Hebrew Forum

["B. M. Rocine" <brocine AT twcny.rr.com>]

Hi Vince, you wrote:
>
> but let me ask you: do you think it is possible to argue hebrew "hayu
> kotevim" is a "verb form"? and in what way would it be different from
> english "were writing" ...?

My first reservation would be in thinking of HYH as a be-verb.  I don't
think it is.  I think it means "become,happen" so that hayu kotevim means
they had become writers.  I think hayah lo means specifically that it *had
become* his rather than it *was* his.  hu' lo would be it was (is) his.  I
think HYH is closer to Gr ginomai than eimi.

Do you need a copulative verb form for your model?

>
> btw, are coming up for the SBL ...?

I am scheduled to preach Sun.

Yours, B.


B. M. Rocine
Living Word Church
6101 Court St. Rd.
Syracuse, NY 13206

ph: 315.437.6744
fx: 315.437.6766