Biblical Hebrew Forum

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

Ok, but I disagree with both of you and John Cook (did you see what I did just there?). I see 1.1 as a standalone introduction, almost titular. Then the story proper begins at 1.2.

Don, do you see the clause beginning ורוח אלהים also being contrastive?

GEORGE ATHAS

Dean of Research,

Moore Theological College (Sydney, Australia)

On 23/11/2012, at 12:02 AM, "Donald Vance" <donaldrvance AT me.com> wrote:

I disagree with you George. I see a clear contrast in Gen 1:2. "In the beginning, God created the sky and the earth, but the earth was formless and void." On the other hand, if one goes with John Cook's reading, then there is no contrast merely the end of the circumstantial clause, "In the beginning of God creating the sky and the earth, the earth was formless and void."

Donald R. Vance, Ph.D.

Professor of Biblical Languages and Literature

Oral Roberts University

dvance AT oru.edu

donaldrvance AT mac.com

On Nov 22, 2012, at 12:40 AM, George Athas wrote:

Sorry for the delay in replying, Bryant, but I've been at the SBL convention.

If you're asking for an occasion where a waw + noun at the front of a clause does not indicate a contrast, we could probably just look at Gen 1.2. The verse begins with this construction (והארץ היתה) and includes another (ורוח אלהים). In both these cases, we can say we have disjunctive syntax such that the verse feels like it's interposing an idea, but I don't think either of the relevant clauses is contrastive to what is before.

Similarly, you might check out Gen 34.5 and how it isn't really contrasting with Gen 34.4, although it is still disjunctive (introducing some extra information).

Cheers!

GEORGE ATHAS

Dean of Research,

Moore Theological College (moore.edu.au)

Sydney, Australia

From: "Rev. Bryant J. Williams III" <bjwvmw AT com-pair.net>
Date: Sunday, 18 November 2012 4:50 AM
To: George Athas <george.athas AT moore.edu.au>, B-Hebrew <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Psa 22,3

Dear George,

 

Okayyyyyy, what are the other reasons for using this disjunctive if not for only contrast;with examples please?

 

Rev. Bryant J. Williams III

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