An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax

Exod 21:36
31.5 Volitional Uses of the Non-Perfective
a Closely related to the modal nuances of the non-perfective, which express a situation
wherein the action of the subject is contingent on the will of the speaker, is its use in
situations wherein the speaker imposes an obligation on the subject addressed. In this
use it approximates the imperative mood and is, in fact, frequently found in
conjunction with an imperative form. The force with which the speaker is able to
make the imposition depends on the social distance between speaker and addressee. If
an inferior addresses a superior the obligation takes the force of a request, but if the
communication proceeds from a superior to an inferior it has the force of a command.
The volitional nonperfective is closely related both morphologically and semantically
to the volitional paradigms (Chap. 34), including the cohortative and the jussive as
well as the imperative. These forms emphasize the will of the speaker, whereas the
non-perfectives to be treated here emphasize the action enjoined or forbidden.
b A non-perfective of injunction expresses the speaker’s will in a positive request or
command.
1. בוֹזאֵ ְב ינִ א֫ ֵ טְּ חַ תְּ
ינִ סֵ֫ בְּ ַכתּ ְ רה֑ ָ טְ אֶ וְ
׃ןיבִּ לְ א ַ ג ֶל ֶשּׁ ֫ מוּ ִ
2.
השׁ֑ ָ ָבַּ יּה ַ האֶ רָ תֵ ְ
3. ירֵ ְבדּ ִ ע ַמ ְשׁוּ ךָנְ זְ א ָ טהַ תי ִשׁ תּ ָ ךָבְּ לִ ו ְ םימ֑ ִ ָכחֲ ׃יתִּ ְעדַ ְל
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me,
and I will be whiter than snow. 30
Ps 51:9
ו Let the dry ground appear.
Gen 1:9
Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise; pay
attention to my knowledge.
Prov 22:17
[Page 510] c A non-perfective of instruction expresses the speaker’s will in a context
of legislation or teaching.
4. םוּקתּ ָ ה ָבי ֵשׂ ינֵ ְפּ ִמ (You shall) rise in the presence of the aged.
5. ם ֶכּ ִמ בירִ ְקַי־י ִכּ םדָ אָ
הוהי ֑ ַל ן ָבּר ְקָ
רקָ בָּ ה־ן ַ ִמ ה ָמ הֵ ְבּה־ן ַ ִמ
וּבירִ ְק תּ ַ ןאֹ צּה־ן ַ ִמוּ
׃ם ֶכ ְנ ַבּר ְקּ־ת
ָ אֶ
6. תדַ ֲע־ל ָכּ־לא ֶ וּר ְבּ ַ
30 Note the imperatives in Ps 51:11–14.
Lev 19:32
When any of you bring a qorban-offering to YHWH,
you shall bring your qorban-offering from cattle, be it
from herd or flock.
Lev 1:2
דּ Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, “…they