Biblical Hebrew Forum

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

Karl,

I agree, the Yiqtol can convey our concept of subjunctive, so I'm not convinced with the explanation that the paragogic nun is a subjunctive element. I favour the idea that it's just an archaic leftover.

With regards your comment on the frequency of the paragogic nun, it certainly occurs quite widely beyond Chronicles and Ezra-Nehemiah. For example, both the woman and the snake use it on the word תמתון in Gen 3.4, 5. It occurs in Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Samuel, Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, widely throughout the Book of the Twelve, Psalms, Job, Proverbs, and Ruth.

Cheers!

GEORGE ATHAS

Dean of Research,

Moore Theological College (moore.edu.au)

Sydney, Australia