Biblical Hebrew Forum

[K Randolph <kwrandolph AT gmail.com>]

Joseph:

Context.

The context indicates that the verse is talking about a present reality
compared to a better (though not perfect) past. The immediate previous
verses refered to an optative possibility, this and the following verses
refer to a present reality.

Karl W. Randolph.
San Francisco

On Mon, Apr 20, 2009 at 9:05 AM, Joseph Justiss <jljustiss AT msn.com> wrote:

>
> The Yiqtol in Isaiah 1:21 is handled by most English translations and the
> major versions as some kind of past reference "Righteousness dwelt/used to
> dwell in her" with the Targum using a paraphrastic construction "was done in
> her" (a perfect form of "to be" with a Gt participle). Is it not possible to
> read the verse as a prediction about what will ultimately happen to the
> faithful city? I'm thinking something like "righteousness will dwell in her,
> but for now murders" given the theological vision of restoration in Isaiah
> as a whole? How do we know for sure this is a "habitual past" use of Yiqtol
> and not just a forward looking use?
>
>
>
> Joseph Justiss
>
> PhD Student
>
> Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary