Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Vadim Cherny" <VadimCherny AT mail.ru>]

It can be simply that wayiqtol is more likely to open a clause. [Russian
similarly uses 'And verb' clause.] Phrase-initial wayiqtol (with two moraic
accents) certainly makes the phrase opening smoother than if we use qatal.

Vadim Cherny

> I find it interesting that in Ezra 1:7-8, QATAL and VAYYIQTOL forms of the
verb
> YCHA (bring out) occur in sequence. Is there any theory that can explain
this
> sequence?
>
> According to Niccatti,  in narratives, VAYYIQTOL moves the main storyline,
whereas
> QATAL describes background information for the storyline. I found this
theory quite helpful
> when I read the Scriptures. But I have never found cases where the same
verb appears
> next to each other in QATAL and VAYYIQTOL forms, as in Ezra 1:7-8.
>
> If I stick to Niccatti model, I may explain this sequence as follows:
>
> (1) 1:5 starts a narrative sequence.
> (2) 1:6-7 describes background information by using two QATAL; 1:7
describes
> the fact that Cyrus brough temple-things.
> (3) 1:8 recounts in more detail how Cyrus brought the temple-things by
means of
> a narrative sequence: (a) Cyrus brought them by Mithredath the treasurer
and
>                                 (b) he counted them.
>
> The point is that VAYYIQTOL of YCHA occurs in 1:8 simply because it
> occurs in a narrative sequence, whereas QATAL form occurs in 1:7 because
> it describes background information.
>
> Does this explanation make sense?
>
> Sincerely
>
> Moon Jung
> Sogang Univ, Seoul, Korea
>