Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

b-hebrew - Re: [b-hebrew] furuli on prefix forms

b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: Biblical Hebrew Forum

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: "Rolf" <rolf.furuli AT sf-nett.no>
  • To: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] furuli on prefix forms
  • Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 10:16:28 +0200

Dear Nir,

I would like to add something to my previous post. Whereas you cannot
distinguish between the so-called conversive and conjunctive forms in the
DSS, a comparison of the WAYYIQTOLs of the MT with the corresponding forms
in the DSS, reveal that different verb forms can be used for the same
purpose.

I will mention a few examples:

Isaiah 3:24 (MT) begins with a WEQATAL of HYH, and DSS has a YIQTOL with
prefixed WAW.

Isaiah 4:5 (MT) begins with a WEQATAL of BR(, and DSS has a YIQTOL with
prefixed WAW of the same verb.

Isaiah 5:2 (MT) has six WAYYIQTOLs, including three apocopated forms of BNH,
QWH, and (SH. DSS has six YIQTOLs with prefixed WAW, but BNH and (SH are full
forms, and only QWH is apocopated.

Isaiah 5:4 (MT) has one apocopated WAYYIQTOL of the verb (SH, and DSS has the
full form of a YIQTOL with prefixed WAW of the same verb.

Isaiah 5:15 (MT) begins with an apocopated WAYYIQTOL of the verb $TH, and
continues with a WAYYIQTOL of $PL. DSS begins with a YIQTOL without prefixed
WAW of $TH and continues with a WAYYIQTOL of $PL.

If you continue your comparison you will detect many differences between MT
and Qumran. The use of different forms in the same clauses question the view
that Classical Hebrew has four or five different conjugations.

It has been argued, though without evidence, that the WAYYIQTOL form was in
its decline in the second and first centuries BCE, and that this was the
reason for the different uses in MT and QUM. A comparison of the doublettes
in the MT text itself argues against this explanation. Psalm 18 and 1 Samuel
22 are doublettes, and the use of verb forms are different indeed, as the
following numbers show:

5 examples of YIQTOLs in Psalm 18 where 1 Samuel 22 has WAYYIQTOLs.

3 examples of WAYYIQTOLs in Psalm 18 where 1 Samuel 22 has YIQTOLs.

1 example of WEYIQTOL in Psalm 18 where 1 Samuel 22 has a WAYYIQTOL.

1 example of WAYYIQTOL in Psalm 18 where 1 Samuel 22 has a QATAL.

1 example of a participle in Psalm 18 where 1 Samuel 22 has a noun.

1 example of a WAYYIQTOL in Psalm 18 where 1 Samuel 22 has a participle.

When so many YIQTOLs and WAYYIQTOLs (and 1 WEYIQTOL) can be used in two
texts that are similar, except for the use and nonuse of prefixed WAW, it
suggests that the forms with and without WAW have the same semantic meaning.
There are similar differences in other doublettes in the MT



Best regards,


Rolf Furuli
Stavern
Norway








Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page