In the Hebrew language, there is a way to indicate whether the author intends the negative command to merely be a temporary prohibition or a permanent prohibition. The forms are as follows: Permanent Prohibition Temporary Prohibition לֹא תֹאכַל “don’t ever eat” אַל תֹּאכַל “don’t eat-- now” The Negative is never used with the Imperative forms. I. TEMPORARAY PROHIBITIONS: Prohibiting an immediate, specific action (e.g., do not do something now) אַל + Jussive form