Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Ruth Mathys <ruth_mathys AT sil.org>]

>> 8. The fact that the Hebrew imperative has other nuances (i.e., making a
>> request, giving permission, expressing a wish) does not mean that it is 
>> not a
>> true imperative conjugation.
> 
> I¹m not questioning that the conjugation exists, just is it accurate to call
> it an ³imperative²? In the same way it¹s inaccurate to call a Qatal a
> ³perfect² or ³perfective²?
> 
> ³Imperative² means command, and you¹re saying that, as Ruth Mathys might 
> say,
> this conjugation is not an imperative in action. Is that what you¹re saying?

I'm rather enjoying being regarded as a guru!  Stop before it goes to my
head.  Anyone can throw big words around and sound impressive.
> 
> In other words, are we dealing with, like in the case of the Wayyiqtol and
> tense, that it is the context that carries whatever imperative action where
> the conjugation is used, rather than the conjugation itself?
> 
> 
>>   The English imperative has these same nuances as well, among others, but 
>> is
>> nonetheless a true imperative.
> 
> It¹s been many years since I was taught English grammar in grade school, and
> there they taught that the imperative mood meant only command. And the only
> examples given were of commands.

'Imperative' is the label given to the verb form but there is a wide range
of meanings that could be 'actioned' by that form (and this differs from
language to language, of course).  In BH it's fine to ask God to do
something by using an imperative, isn't it?  I think the English imperative
is a very strong form -- I use it on my children but not my husband!  In my
English at least, it's really important for politeness to ask indirectly
("When you have a moment, would you be able to...?)  But that's not true of
every language or culture.  I remember being quite taken aback at first in
a cross-cultural situation when my peers used unvarnished imperatives on me
all the time.  But it's just how you do it in that language.

(Even in English, not every imperative form is a true command.  Think of
expressions like "Get a life!" or "Hold me back!")

Ruth Mathys