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b-hebrew - [b-hebrew] tense and aspect

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Subject: Biblical Hebrew Forum

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  • From: Isaac Fried <if AT math.bu.edu>
  • To: Rolf <rolf.furuli AT sf-nett.no>
  • Cc: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [b-hebrew] tense and aspect
  • Date: Sat, 11 May 2013 20:39:31 -0400

Some clear concrete examples as to what you mean by Hebrew tense and aspect would very helpful. 

We have already mentioned here on several occasions that the Hebrew verb is but a root plus personal pronouns for the actors involved in the act alluded to. There are, otherwise, no special time markers in Hebrew.  

It may all depend on the nature of the act and its circumstances. For instance, the קפאו QAPU, from the act QAPA (related to קבע 'fixed', and גבע 'raised'), 'freeze, solidify', of Ex. 15:8, the -U are the waters, that are here at the receiving end of the act ––– it happened to them, whereas the שברו $ABRU of Jer. 5:5 refers to the act שבר $ABAR, 'break', committed by perpetrator -U on another body. 

Another example. The commandment LO TI-RCAX is 'no you kill (another person, ever)', whereas TE-RACAX is 'you kill (by another person, later)'. 

Isaac Fried, Boston University

On May 10, 2013, at 1:50 AM, Rolf wrote:

 A common characteristic between the Semitic languages from the second and first millennium BCE is that their verbs express aspects rather than tenses—all their finite forms can be used with past, present, and future reference





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