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b-hebrew - Re: [b-hebrew] The tower of Babel and the Hebrew "tenses"

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  • From: George Athas <George.Athas AT moore.edu.au>
  • To: Sesamo m. <sesamox AT hotmail.com>, B-Hebrew <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] The tower of Babel and the Hebrew "tenses"
  • Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2009 10:22:35 +1100

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






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