An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax

The sense of a jussive in simple discourse usually follows from the status relations of
the speaker and addressee. When a superior uses the jussive with reference to an
inferior the volitional force may be command (human, # 1; divine, # 2), exhortation (#
3), counsel (# 4), or invitation or permission (# 5). Sometimes the jussive qualifies or
circumscribes an imperative (# 6). A second-person jussive may have the sense of an
order (# 7). When an inferior uses the jussive with reference to a superior, it may
denote an urgent request (# 8), prayer (# 9), or request for permission (## 10–11).
Frequently it is followed by ?] (## 4, 8, 10; see 34.7).
2.
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3.
4.
1. שׁיא ִ ךְאַ שׁיא ֑ ִ ח ַכוֹי־לאֵ וב ְ רָי־ל ֵ אַ
רוֹא ֑ י ִ
Let none contend and none reprove.
Hos 4:4
הְי Let there be light.
Gen 1:3
וֹתי ֑ בֵ ל ְ בֹשָׁי ו ְ ךְ ֵלֵי Let him go home (lit., Let him go and return to his
׃הי ָ תֶּ ֫ חְ תּ ַ ךָ ְל אנ־י ָ הִ ְ
house).
Deut 20:5
תּ Have her (the younger sister) instead of her
(Samson’s wife).
Judg 15:2
5. םהָ ְמ ִכּ רֹב ֲעַי יתִּ אִ
Let Kimham cross over with me.
6. . . . ךָיני ֶ֫
ֵע ְבּ ערֵי־ל ַ אַ
הּ֑ לֹק ָ בּ ְ ע ַמ ְשׁ
7. לוֹק־תא ֶ ךָ ֲע ְמ ָשׁ ְבּ יהי ִ וִ
םיאִ ָכבְּ ה ַ י ֵשׁארָ ְבּ הדָ ָע ְצ
ץר֑ ֶחֶ
תּ ֶ זאָ 8.
9.
2 Sam 19:39
Let it not be evil in your eyes…listen to her.
Gen 21:12
And let it be that as soon as you hear the sound
marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move…
2 Sam 5:24
ינֹד ִ א ֲ אנ־ר ָ ָב ֲעַי Let my lord go on ahead.
ךָל֑ ֶ֫
גְ ר ַ טוֹמּל ַ ןתִּי־ל ֵ ַ
Gen 33:14
א May he not permit your foot to slip.
֑ ֵ֫
ְ ְ ָ ֲ ָ
10. וּנבּר ִק בּ ינֹדא אנ־ךְ ֶלֵי
Ps 121:3
Let the Lord go with us.
11.
׃רחֵ א ַ ן ֵבּ י ִל הוהי ף ֵ
Exod 34:9
סֹי May YHWH add to me another son.
Gen 30:24