An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax

h On balance the comparative-historical evidence seems to demand some respect, and
we believe that vestiges of historical yaqtul survive in the prefix conjugation beyond
the jussive. In prose the waw-relative is normally bound with the offspring of preterite
yaqtul, a form not consistently differentiated from the descendants of yaqtulu. The
basically similar situation in poetry is complicated by stylistic and idiosyncratic usage
as well as by variation. Poetry, especially early poetry, occasionally preserves a yaqtul
preterite in unbound form, as an archaic or archaizing usage (1.4.1).
[Page 502] 31.1.2 A Working View
a In Chapter 29 we noted that most grammarians have erred in trying to abstract one
meaning from the several uses of the prefix conjugation, and we suggested that the
only possible generalization had to be expressed negatively: the non-perfective
conjugation stands over against the perfective conjugation. The non-perfective prefix
conjugation has two major values: to signify either an imperfective situation in past
and present time, or a dependent situation. In the latter use, the situation may be
dependent on the speaker, the subject, or another situation.
b We analyze the use of the prefix conjugation first according to time: past time (31.2)
and present time (31.3). We group its uses to represent dependent situations into those
involving the speaker or the subject, and those dependent on another situation. We
divide the first group into those situations where speakers do not impose their will on
the subject (the modal uses, 31.4) and those in which they do (the volitional uses,
31.5). Finally, we discuss other contingent uses, including its use in the less frequent
past-time frame with certain particles (31.6), and some morphological relics (31.7).
31.2 Non-Perfective and Past Time
a A clear demonstration of non-perfective and past-time relations is provided by an
Arabic example.
wā ttaba˓ū (pfv.,tb˓) mā tatlū (impfv., tly) š-šayāṭīnu ˓alā mulki sulaymān 17
And they followed that which the demons used to recite (or, follow) in Solomon’s reign.
The time reference of the prefix conjugation tatlū ‘they used to recite’ is past and
absolute because it occurred in a time prior to the event of speaking; the aspect is
imperfective, more specifically customary (iterative), because explicit reference is
made to the internal temporal structure of the situation, viewing the situation from
within, in contrast to ˒ittaba˓u ‘they followed,’ whereby explicit reference is made to
pfv. perfective
impfv. imperfective
17 The first verb is an VIIIth Form (˒iqtatala), with the initial ˒i- elided after the
conjunction wa. The sentence is discussed by W. Wright, A Grammar of the Arabic
Language (Cambridge: Cambridge University, 1898), 2. 21; and by B. Comrie, Aspect
(Cambridge: Cambridge University, 1976) 80 (where the transliteration of the first
verb should be corrected). The sense of the sentence can be paraphrased in Hebrew:
˒et-˒ăšer yedabberû haggillûlîm bimlōk šelōmōh (cf. ˒et kol-˒s̆šer ta˓ăśûn, Deut 29:8;
cf. Exod 4:15).