An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax

18. לוֹמ ְ ֶ
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
ת א םוֹשׁ ְל ִשׁ 44
previously
ה ָנדֶ֫ ֲע/ן דֶ ֲע 45
previously
ר ָב ְכּ 46
already
ם ָמוֹי by day
תרָ חֳ ָמ/ר חָ ָמ tomorrow
רחַ ַ
א then, afterward (cf. # 12)
דוֹע still 47
25.
ת ַבּר ַ for a long time
26.
םלוֹע ָ forever
27.
ח ַצ ֵנ forever
The etymological diversity noted for the locational adverbs is evident here, too.
Only one of these forms (# 23) is used as a preposition, but the last three are used as
nouns; תבר (# 24) is the feminine of בר ‘much.’ Another form of derivation can be
seen in םמוי and[Page 659] םושׁלשׁ; though the -ām “adverbial” ending is no longer
productive in Biblical Hebrew, it has yielded several important forms (5.7e). 48
i Scalar adverbs make up a more diverse group than either locational or temporal
adverbs. One group of scalars refers to grades of degree, on a scale from ‘much, very,
extremely, abundantly’ (amplifiers) down to ‘a little, almost’ (diminishers). Another
group of scalars refers to grades of identity of action; a situation may be repeated
(‘again’) or uninterrupted (‘continually’).
29.
30.
31.
32.
28.
דֹא ְמ 49
very
ה ֵבּר ְה
ַ 50
very
רתוֹי ֵ
51
extremely
ת ַבּ ַ
ט ַע ְמ a little, almost
ר abundantly (cf. # 25)
44
The phrase never has the supposed “literal sense” ‘yesterday ( tmwl) or the day
before (šlšwm, lit., the third day ago [counting today]).’
45
Only in Qoh 4:2 (˓dnh), 4:3 (˓dn), derived from ˓ad, suggesting a basic sense ‘until
now.’
46
Only in Qoheleth, where it occurs nine times.
47
Occurs 490 times (SA/THAT).
48
This -ām/ōm element may be (related to) the enclitic mem (9.8); cf., e.g., Aartun,
Partikeln, 1. 51–61.
49
More frequently an item adverb. For its unique use as a noun in Deut 6:5, see S. D.
McBride, “The Yoke of the Kingdom,” Interpretation 27 (1973) 273–306, at 304. M˒d
occurs 300 times (SA/THAT).
50
Strictly, an infinitive absolute. See 35.4.
51
Only in Qoheleth and Esther as an adverb.