An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax

Bruce K. Waltke

and

M. O’Connor

Eisenbrauns

Winona Lake, Indiana

1990

© 1990 by Eisenbrauns.

All rights reserved.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Waltke, Bruce K.

An introduction to biblical Hebrew syntax.

Includes bibliographical references.

1. Hebrew language—Syntax. 2. Hebrew language—Grammar—1950–. 3. Bible. O.T.—Language, style. I. O’Connor, Michael Patrick. II. Title.

PJ4707.W35 1989 492.4’82421 89-17006

ISBN 0-931464-31-5

	in memory of
	W.J. Martin
25 May 1904 Broughshane, Co. Antrim	~	21 March 1980 Cambridge

Contents

Abbreviations and Sigla

Preface

Introductory

1. Language and Text

2. History of the Study of Hebrew Grammar

3. Basic Concepts

4. Grammatical Units

Nouns

5. Noun Patterns

6. Gender

7. Number

8. Nominative Function and Verbless Clauses

9. Genitive Function

10. Accusative Function and Related Matters

11. Prepositions

12. Apposition

13. Definiteness and Indefiniteness

Adjectives, Numerals, and Pronouns

14. Adjectives

15. Numerals

16. Personal Pronouns

17. Demonstratives

18. Interrogatives and Indefinites

19. Relatives

Verbal Stems

20. Introduction to the Verbal System

21. The System of Verbal Stems

22. Qal Stem

23. Niphal Stem

24. Piel Stem

25. Pual Stem

26. Hithpael Stem

27. Hiphil Stem

28. Hophal Stem

Verbal Conjugations and Clauses

29. Introduction to the Conjugations

30. Suffix (Perfective) Conjugation

31. Prefix (Non-Perfective) Conjugation

32. Waw + Suffix Conjugation

33. Waw + Prefix Conjugation

34. Jussive. Imperative. Cohortative

35. Infinitive Absolute

36. Infinitive Construct

37. Participles

38. Subordination

39. Coordination and Clausal Adverbs

40. Exclamations and Polar Questions

Glossary

Bibliography

Indexes

Abbreviations and Sigla

Grammatical Terms

abs. absolute

bis twice

C consonant

C construct term

c. common

coll. collective

cstr. construct

ENWS Early Northwest Semitic

f(em). feminine

Foc focus marker

G genitive term

impfv. imperfective

inf. abs. infinitive absolute

inf. cstr. infinitive construct

m(asc). masculine

non-pfv. non-perfective

pf. perfect

pfv. perfective

pl. plural

pleo pleonastic pronoun

Pred predicate

S subject

s(ing). singular

V vowel

V verb

* unattested form

** impossible form

~ approximately equal to

Versions and Translations

AV Authorized Version (1611)

LXX Septaugint

MT Masoretic Text

NAB New American Bible (1970)

NIV New International Version (1973)

NJPS New Jewish Publication Society Version (1982)

RSV Revised Standard Version (1952)

Sam Samaritan Pentateuch

Bibliography

BL Hans Bauer and Pontus Leander. 1922. Historische Grammatik der hebräischen Sprache des Alten Testamentes.

GAGH Wolfgang Richter. 1978–80. Grundlagen einer althebräischen Grammatik.

GB [Wilhem Gesenius-]Gotthelf Bergsträsser. 1918–29. Hebräische Grammatik.

GKC [Wilhelm Gesenius-]Emil Kautzch, trans. A. E. Cowley. 1910. Gesenius’ Hebrew Grammar.

Joüon Paul Joüon. 1923. Grammaire de l’hébreu biblique.

LHS Ernst Jenni. 1981. ...