The noun אף is a geminate noun, which basically means that it consists of: consonant – vowel – double consonant. However, one of the basic rules of Hebrew is that it cannot begin or end a word with a doubled consonant. So in its absolute state, you don’t notice its doubled second consonant because the dagesh forte cannot be placed. However, as soon as you add anything to the noun, like a plural ending or pronominal suffix, the doubled consonant is no longer the last item in the word, and so the doubling reappears with a dagesh forte.
There are many such nouns in Hebrew: אף, חץ, עם, גן, אשׁ, חק, to name but a few.
(Isaac, this is time for you to chime in with a statement about how there’s no such thing as doubling.)
GEORGE ATHAS
Moore Theological College (Sydney, Australia)
www.moore.edu.au
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