If REIYT was in construct, then we would not expect a finite verb to follow it. We would expect perhaps an infinitive of some sort. This is not what we have in the MT. We have a finite verb with a subject and two direct objects. As such, REIYT must be either a conjunction or circumstance. Since it is prefixed with a preposition (B), which has not subsumed a definite article, we must understand the first word of Genesis as simply meaning, "At first".Lloyd Barre and I have been discussing this off-list, and there apparently is a possibility, albeit extremely rare, for a construct with no prepositional force to stand before a non-relative clause. [W&O, 9.6e] A case in point is Hosea 1:2. In their footnote on page 156, W&O state, "This construction is sometimes associated with Gen. 1:1."
I have a couple of favors to request of you. They make reference to Waltke's article in Bibliotheca Sacra 132 (1975) 216-28, which is concerning the this passage. But I have no access to this journal here in the Philippines. Could one of you with a page-scanner get a copy and send it to me as an attachment? I certainly would appreciate it. Also, do any of you know of other occurrences of this BH grammatical construction?
Thanks in advance,
Paul
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Paul and Dee Zellmer, Jimmy Guingab, Geoffrey Beltran
Ibanag Translation Project
Cabagan, Philippines
zellmer AT faith.edu.ph
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