Biblical Hebrew Forum

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

B-Haveray,

I think we do best to assume a cummunicative partnership or cooperation 
between a writer/speaker and his audience.  Such a partnership implies 
different functions for different forms.

For instance, I think we should distinguish in Hebrew narration between 
scene-setting that is done with a noun sentence (a.k.a. verbless clause) 
and that which is done with a sentence using the qatal of HYH.  To be 
specific, the noun sentence may describe a state as it existed at the 
time the narrator is focused on.  In contrast, the sentence using qatal 
of HYH may describe the "coming into a state."

Put another way, the best English translation of the noun sentence used 
in the narration of the past utilizes *was* or *were*.  E.g. (Gen 1:2)

(noun sentence)vexoshekh `al peney tahom
"and darkness *was* upon the surface of [the] deep."

The best English translation of qatal of HYH in narration of the past 
utilizes *had become*.  E.g. Gen 1:2

(qatal of HYH) veha'erets hayetah tohu vabohu
"And the earth had become..."

Another example of a qatal of HYH in narration is in Gen 3:1

(qatal of HYH) vehanaxash hayah `arum mikkol xayat hassadeh
"And the serpent *had become* more subtil than any animal of the field."

In other words, the Lord did not create this animal in such a 
problematic condition.  The animal had become so over time.

Gen 4:21 uses both forms:

(noun sentence)veshem 'axiyv jubal
"And his brother's name *was* Jubal"

(qatal of HYH)hu' hayah abi kol tophes kinor ve`ugab
"And he *became* the father of all players of lyre and harp."

Shalom,
Bryan

--
B. M. Rocine
Living Word Church
6101 Court St. Rd.
Syracuse, NY 13026
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