Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Rolf" <rolf.furuli AT sf-nett.no>]

We may compare the Hebrew use of imperative with the Akkadian use—they are 
cognate languages. For example; Nebukadrezzar (Nabu kudurru usur) means Nabu 
(the god) kudurru (heir) usur (protect/save)— "Let Nabu protect the heir." 
The form usur is imperative of nasaru, and it represents a wish and not a 
command. The same is true with several other names of kings.


Best regards,


Rolf Furuli
Stavern
Norway


Torsdag 13. Juni 2013 01:13 CEST skrev 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
>
>
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