role with respect to syntax. On this problem see §§132–133. The notes which follow are based on a position similar to that of Schneider and Talstra. Chapters 3 and 4 (§§6–25) set out the basic criteria required for a correct approach to the problem of the use of verbal forms in classical Hebrew prose. The account will be based on the analysis of texts; theoretical evaluation will be reduced to a minimum. The other criteria used in the solution proposed here will be pointed out later (§§128–138) to