Professor Niccacci:
Could it be that the distinction between the historical narrative and the
direct speech in these cases is because of the relative contemporaneity of
the direct speech narratives in each case? In each of the above examples,
the narrative is first person; perhaps the initial qatal indicates the
relative proximity, in time and perhaps personal interest, of the events
narrated. Conversely, if a native BH speaker was narrating a story that was
generations removed, might they begin with a wayyiqtol?
Thanks, and God bless you!
Joe A. Friberg
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