Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Vadim Cherny <vadimcherny AT mail.ru>]

> The derivation of the wayyiqtol verb is relevant to the discussion. The 
> most likely origin of the
> form is that it was an innovation, combining vav with doubling (assimilated 
> nun?) and an archaic
> preterite verbal form, 

Everything was once an innovation. At any rate, waw is the oldest device for 
creating future tense. Modern future tense, derived from imperative, 
certainly appeared much later.

Doubling is not an arbitrary innovation, but a phonetic necessity. waw, just 
like hey, is semi-stressed, and so there is post-tonic gemination.

Vadim Cherny