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b-hebrew - Re: [b-hebrew] Basic observations on WAYYIQTOL

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  • From: Peter Kirk <peterkirk AT qaya.org>
  • To: pennerkm AT mcmaster.ca
  • Cc: 'Biblical Hebrew' <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Basic observations on WAYYIQTOL
  • Date: Mon, 15 Aug 2005 22:58:14 +0100

On 15/08/2005 18:14, Ken Penner wrote:

Thanks for this, Peter. I have had to bow out of the discussion because it
was too time-consuming.

Could you offer some examples of the following:


WAYYIQTOL following a stative or continuing action (verbless or YIQTOL) clause refers to an event taking place while that state or continuing action is continuing.



Well, we have Gen 18:1-2 which surely implies that Abraham was still sitting down (participle) when he looked up (WAYYIQTOL). Then there is Genesis 1:2-3 where presumably the Spirit (or whatever) was still hovering (participle) over the waters when God spoke (WAYYIQTOL). And Job 1:1-2 where we presume that Job was upright (verbless) and fearing God (WEYIQTOL) at the time that his children were born (WAYYIQTOL); again 1:5-6 where Job used to pray every day (YIQTOL) and still did so when the angels presented themselves to God (WAYYIQTOL). 1 Samuel 1:7 is hard to interpret, but it was while Peninnah was provoking her (YIQTOL) that Hannah started to weep (WAYYIQTOL); in 1:9-10 it is while Eli is sitting (participle) and Hannah's soul is bitter (verbless) that Hannah prays (WAYYIQTOL).

I am not claiming that this has any specific semantic significance, just that this is a regular structure in Hebrew (and in many languages, with suitable equivalent verb forms) for moving from description of states or habits into the main line of events. This is elementary discourse analysis, the recognition of the shift in a discourse from description to the main line.

--
Peter Kirk
peter AT qaya.org (personal)
peterkirk AT qaya.org (work)
http://www.qaya.org/



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