Biblical Hebrew Forum

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

I think that by ‘initial consonant cluster’ Jim is referring to two 
consonants (not separated by a vowel) occupying the first place within the 
same syllable. In other words, the syllable would be of CCvC type.

To answer your question, Jim, yes the number two, שְׁתַּיִם, does preserve an 
initial consonant cluster. The dagesh lene in the taw demonstrates that this 
is the case. It is an unusual occurrence in Masoretic Hebrew for this to 
happen, but there it is. Usually, Masoretic Hebrew seeks to separate such 
consonant clusters with a vowel or vocal shewa. This is one instance where it 
does not happen.

A little more common, but still not prevalent, is ultimate consonant 
clustering of the CvCC type. Witness the final syllable in Qal Qatal 2fs 
forms of regular verbs: קָטַלְתְּ.


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