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  • From: Harold Holmyard <hholmyard AT ont.com>
  • To: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Genesis 15:6 'aman + perfect
  • Date: Wed, 26 Jul 2006 11:32:22 -0500

Dear Mitch,

With reference to this quote:

Leupold observes that the occurrence of the verb `aman
in verse 6 as a perfect with waw is unusual, and not
the expected imperfect with waw consecutive. His
analysis, based on Koenig’s grammar, is that the
perfect probably indicates the permanence of Abraham’s
faith. He believed not just this once, but was
constant in his faith.

(end quote)

Could someone help me understand the difference, as
far as its temporal/chronological implications are
concerned, between the perfect and imperfect? I had
read where the 'aman referred to in Genesis 15:6 would
also include Abram's earlier faith (Gen. 12 onward).
Is this what the perfect more so implies than would
the imperfect. (If possible, could you integrate your
answer with reference to the LXX using the Aorist
tense here for 'believed.')

In Leupold's quote above, "He believed not just this
once".. does this mean Abram had believed earlier as
well, or does this look forward?

I have absolutely no Hebrew training, so please keep
that in mind if you choose to respond.


HH: Leupold's analysis seems suspicious because the context indicates that Abraham believed in what God had just told him. Here is a comment by the NET Bible, and they expect lay readers to be able to understand their notes, I think. I will add a couple of things in brackets:

20tn The nonconsecutive [breaking the narrative flow] vav (ו) is on a perfect verbal form. If the composer of the narrative had wanted to show simple sequence, he would have used the vav consecutive with the preterite [the imperfect used with vav to indicate past action]. The perfect with vav conjunctive (where one expects the preterite with vav consecutive) in narrative contexts can have a variety of discourse functions, but here it probably serves to highlight Abram’s response to God’s promise. For a detailed discussion of the vav + perfect construction in Hebrew narrative, see R. Longacre, “Weqatal Forms in Biblical Hebrew Prose: A Discourse-modular Approach,” Biblical Hebrew and Discourse Linguistics, 50-98. The Hebrew verb אָמַן (’aman) means “to confirm, to support” in the Qal verbal stem. Its derivative nouns refer to something or someone that/who provides support, such as a “pillar,” “nurse,” or “guardian, trustee.” In the Niphal stem it comes to mean “to be faithful, to be reliable, to be dependable,” or “to be firm, to be sure.” In the Hiphil, the form used here, it takes on a declarative sense: “to consider something reliable [or “dependable”].” Abram regarded the God who made this promise as reliable and fully capable of making it a reality.

HH: So the NET translator felt that the Hebrew verb choice highlighted Abraham's belief as particularly significant. One could translate it: "Now Abraham believed in the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness."

Yours,
Harold Holmyard

Mitch Larramore
Sugar Land, Texas

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