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A few possible suggestions:
(1) It actually adds a subjunctive element to the verb. However, I'm not convinced by this, because it seems limited to otherwise vocalic subject suffixes on prefix conjugations.
(2) It's just a throwback to an older form.
I believe this second option is the more likely. It does appear rather randomly, seemingly a lot like the optional
nu Greek. Sometimes it's there, sometimes it's not. It could be, at least occasionally, a deliberate archaism to give speech a bit of an 'olden day' feel — somewhat akin to me using some ye olde style forms that perchance getteth mine message across.
However, I'm not sure if that adequately explains all the occurrences. A random archaic leftover seems more plausible methinks.
GEORGE ATHAS
Dean of Research,
Moore Theological College (moore.edu.au)
Sydney, Australia
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