The weqatal form to which you are referring is a continuation form. This
means that it usually gets its mood from a previous clause (there are
exceptions to this, but they are exceptions). In this case, the imperative
עלו sets the imperatival mood, and this is continued by the weqatal והבאתם.
The nature of the continuation is that the weqatal does not move onto a
completely independent thought, but rather sees its action as being in
seamless continuity with the initial imperative. In other words, these are
not two separate instructions ('Go up! Bring!') but one complex instruction
('Go up and bring').
GEORGE ATHAS
Director of Postgraduate Studies,
Moore Theological College (moore.edu.au)
Sydney, Australia
I'm reading through the prophet Haggai and came around Chapter 1,8. The
writer first used "ALU" (Qal Imperativ) in the sentence followed by "Bo"
as Waw Consec. (Hiphil) - same Person as the Imperativ.
My question regarding the translation: is it possible to see "Bo" not with
imperatival force as many translations do, but as consecutive: "Go up to
the mountain in order to bring wood".
I tend to treat the Waw Consec. not necessesary as imperatival, as the
writer easily could have used a imperative form there.
Thank you for any help ! I've found nothing helpful in commentaries.
Yours
Peter Streitenberger, Germany
wwww.streitenberger.com