Biblical Hebrew Forum

[George Athas <George.Athas AT moore.edu.au>]

Hi Sesamo(?).

We've discussed the meaning of the Qatal (also known as Perfect) many times 
on B-Hebrew. The classic definition, which proceeds along the lines of 
Aktionsart, is that the verb form indicates a completed action. An aspectual 
approach would see it in one of two ways: (1) an action being viewed as a 
whole from the outside; or (2) a definite action being viewed up close.

My preference is for the last of these options (the second aspectual 
approach). But this is clearly a case where the text does not really help us 
to understand the action rightly. It is ambiguous. As such, you will read 
this verse according to the definition of the Qatal/Perfect that you bring to 
the text. If you think it indicates a completed action, you will say that the 
city and tower were already complete when Yahweh came down to scatter the 
people. If you go for the aspectual approaches, you might argue this or you 
could argue that the building was still proceeding when Yahweh scattered the 
people. The context does not provide us with enough information to say one 
way or the other.



Regards,

GEORGE ATHAS
Moore Theological College (Sydney, Australia)
www.moore.edu.au