Zeitschrift für Althebraistik 2 (1989), 128-159.
An important verbal function, the expression of the present tense, is taken on in Biblical Hebrew... more An important verbal function, the expression of the present tense, is taken on in Biblical Hebrew by the participle. The predicative participle is therefore to be regarded as an integral part of the verbal system, functioning side by side with the prefix conjugation (PC) and the
suffix conjugation (SC). However, whereas PC and SC contain in one form subject and predicate, the participle provides only the predicate. In order to form a clause, the participle requires the subject (Su) to be mentioned explicitly. The order of the two elements, Su and participle, may be either Su-Ptcp or Ptcp-Su.
The main thesis defended in the present paper is that the two sequences express two aspects of the present tense. The sequence Su-Ptcp expresses the cursive or actual present: the action is represented as actually going on at the moment of speaking. The sequence Ptcp-Su expresses the constative or factual present: the action is regarded as a fact contemporary with the moment of speaking. This functional opposition between the two sequences can be demonstrated by opposing the sequences with the same verb and by studying the use of the sequences with particles.
Uploads
Papers by Jan Joosten
This is a preliminary draft of an article that has now been published in Hiphil Novum, see: https://tidsskrift.dk/hiphilnovum/article/view/165444
The definitive version can be downloaded freely from there.
ABSTRACT In the biblical presentation, animal sacrifice requires pouring out the blood on the altar. Blood stands for life (Gen 9:4; Lev 17:11, 14; Deut 12:23). By restoring the blood of the animal to God, Israelites atone for taking its life, which belongs to God alone (Lev 17:11). Thus the blood signifies at once life, and atonement, but also separation: the sacrificial communion between Israelites and their God has an in-built limit. Instituting the last supper, Jesus interprets his death as a sacrifice. The notions of life and atonement are fully consonant with his words, but his saying over the cup: “Drink from it, for this is my blood” (Matt 26:27–28) conflicts with the notion of separation. His sacrifice, it appears, is one of full communion between his disciples and God. In the present paper, this revolutionary claim will be situated in its biblical context (Genesis 1 and 9, Leviticus 17).
suffix conjugation (SC). However, whereas PC and SC contain in one form subject and predicate, the participle provides only the predicate. In order to form a clause, the participle requires the subject (Su) to be mentioned explicitly. The order of the two elements, Su and participle, may be either Su-Ptcp or Ptcp-Su.
The main thesis defended in the present paper is that the two sequences express two aspects of the present tense. The sequence Su-Ptcp expresses the cursive or actual present: the action is represented as actually going on at the moment of speaking. The sequence Ptcp-Su expresses the constative or factual present: the action is regarded as a fact contemporary with the moment of speaking. This functional opposition between the two sequences can be demonstrated by opposing the sequences with the same verb and by studying the use of the sequences with particles.
ABSTRACT: In Wisdom of Solomon 2:12-20, a long speech about “the righteous one” is quoted from the mouth of the wicked. The righteous one stands for the Jew faithful to his religious traditions, the wicked for those who are ready to modify their Jewish way of life to fit in better in society. It is argued in this paper that one of the means of persuasion the author of Wisdom
uses is a covert reference to the story of Genesis 37. He depicts the righteous man as Joseph, favoured by his father and by God, and the wicked as Joseph’s jealous brothers.