The Verb in Archaic Biblical Poetry : A Discursive, Typological, and Historical Investigation of the Tense System

The Verb in Archaic Biblical Poetry: A Discursive, Typological, and Historical Investigation of the Tense System offers a comprehensive analysis of the syntactic, semantic, pragmatic, and discursive properties of the verb in the corpus of "archaic" biblical poetry (The Song of Moses, Song of the Sea, Song of Deborah, Song of David, Blessing of Jacob, Oracles of Balaam, Blessing of Moses, and Song of Hannah). The approach integrates modern research on tense, aspect, and modality, while also addressing the complicated philological issues in these texts. The study presents discursive analysis of biblical poetic texts, systemic description of each text’s tense system, and reconstruction of the archaic verbal tenses as attested in part of the corpus. The Verb in Archaic Biblical Poetry: A Discursive, Typological, and Historical Investigation of the Tense System......Page 4 Contents......Page 8 List of Tables......Page 22 Acknowledgements......Page 24 Preliminary Notes......Page 26 Part I: Introduction: The Linguistic Analysis of Verbal Tenses in Biblical Poetic Texts......Page 30 1 Verbal Tenses in Classical Biblical Prose: A Selected Bibliographical Review......Page 32 1.1.1. Discourse Analysis and the Hebrew Verb......Page 33 1.1.1.1. Various Tendencies in Discourse Analysis......Page 34 1.1.1.2. Discourse Modes: Definition and Typology......Page 35 1.1.2. Structural Analysis......Page 36 1.1.4. Speech Act Theory......Page 37 1.1.5. Formal Semantics and Tense-Aspect Research......Page 38 1.1.6. Theoretical Frameworks in BH Modality Studies......Page 39 1.2. The Morphosyntax of BH Verbal Forms......Page 40 1.2.1. Nominal Forms in Predicate Position: Participle and Infinitives......Page 41 1.2.2. Volitive Modal Forms: The Cohortative, Imperative, and Jussive......Page 42 1.2.3.1. The Morphosyntactic Status of the Indicative Forms......Page 44 1.2.3.2. The Semantic Constituents of the Categories......Page 45 1.2.3.3. The Sequential Tenses......Page 46 1.3. Diachronic and Dialectal Research on the BH Verb......Page 47 2.1. Word Order in the Verbal Clause in Poetry......Page 50 2.3. The Verb in Poetry: Different Theoretical Standpoints......Page 51 2.4. The Diachronic Study of the Verb in Poetry: A Glance at ‘Archaic’ Poetry......Page 52 3.1. Towards a Method: Preliminary Insights......Page 53 3.2.1. Linear vs. Pragmatic Standpoints in the Discursive Analysis of Biblical Poetry......Page 54 3.2.2.1. The Communicative Situation and the Problem of Subjectivity......Page 56 3.2.2.1.1. The Conversational Framework and Quoted Speech......Page 57 3.2.2.1.2. Monologue-Blocks......Page 59 3.2.2.1.3. Subjectivity in Poetic Speech: Levels of Personal Presentation......Page 60 3.2.2.2. Pragmatic Information in Poetry: Direct and Indirect Speech Acts......Page 61 3.2.2.2.1. Illocutionary Intentions in the Conversational Framework......Page 62 3.2.2.2.2. Illocutionary Intentions in Monologue-Blocks and the Principle of Pragmatic Attraction......Page 63 3.2.2.3. Temporal Patterns......Page 65 3.2.2.3.1.1. Deictic Time in the Conversational Framework......Page 67 3.2.2.3.1.2. Deictic Time in Quoted Speech......Page 68 3.2.2.3.1.3. Deictic Time in Monologue-Blocks......Page 69 3.2.2.3.2. Anaphoric Time......Page 70 3.2.2.3.3. Sequential Time......Page 71 3.2.2.4. Aspectual Entities......Page 72 3.2.2.5. Principles of Text-Progression......Page 74 3.3.1. From Discursive Analysis to Discourse Classification: An Overview......Page 76 3.3.2. Defining Poetic Discourse Modes......Page 78 3.4.1.1. From Discourse Modes to Tenses and Back......Page 83 3.4.1.2. Discourse Modes and Volitive Forms: An Illustration......Page 84 3.4.2. TAM Semantics and Pragmatic Constraints......Page 85 3.4.3.1. Atemporal Perspective......Page 87 3.4.3.2. The Dynamic Interchange between Aspectual Viewpoints and Types of Modality......Page 89 3.4.3.3. Episodic vs. Generic Interpretation......Page 90 3.5. Linguistic Diversity in ‘Archaic’ Biblical Poetry: A Multifaceted Interpretative Framework......Page 91 Part II: Corpus Analysis......Page 94 4.1. Introduction: Discourse Structure......Page 98 4.2.1. Nominal Verbal Forms......Page 101 4.2.2. Preterit (ו)יקטל (< *yaqtul)......Page 102 4.2.2.1. The Preterite: Morphosyntactic Characteristics......Page 103 4.2.2.2.1. The Preterite and the Narrative Fragment......Page 104 4.2.2.2.1.2. The Perfect in Narrative......Page 106 4.2.2.2.1.3. The Imperfective in Narrative......Page 108 4.2.2.2.1.4. Perfective vs. Imperfective לטקי in Narrative: Discussion......Page 110 4.2.2.2.2. The Preterite in Non-Narrative Fragments......Page 111 4.2.3.1. The Perfect: Morphosyntactic Characteristics......Page 114 4.2.3.2.1. The Resultant, Static, Gnomic, Performative, and Prophetic Perfect......Page 115 4.2.3.2.2. The Perfect for Simple Past and Anteriority......Page 116 4.2.3.3. The Problem of וקטל in the Song......Page 117 4.2.4.1. Imperfective יקטל : Morphosyntactic Characteristics......Page 119 4.2.4.2.1. Imperfective יקטל as Present Progressive......Page 120 4.2.4.2.2. Imperfective יקטל as Iterative Aspect and Present Habitual......Page 121 4.2.4.2.3. Imperfective יקטל and the Volitive Forms in the Song......Page 122 4.2.4.2.4. Imperfective יקטל for Future......Page 123 4.2.5.1. The Imperative......Page 125 4.2.5.2. The Jussive......Page 126 4.2.5.4. Modal Volitive Forms: Conclusion......Page 127 4.3. The System of Verbal Tenses in the Song of Moses: Conclusion......Page 128 5.1. Introduction: Discourse Structure......Page 132 5.2.1. Nominal Verbal Forms......Page 136 5.2.2.2. Perfect קטל : Semantic, Pragmatic, and Discursive Characteristics......Page 137 5.2.2.2.1. Perfect קטל in Subordinate Clauses......Page 138 5.2.2.2.2. Perfect קטל in Poetic Report......Page 139 5.2.4.1. Imperfective יקטל : Morphosyntactic Characteristics......Page 140 5.2.4.2.1. Imperfective יקטל in the Hymnal Speech......Page 141 5.2.4.2.2. Imperfective יקטל in Temporal Clauses......Page 142 5.2.4.2.3. Imperfective יקטל in the Report......Page 143 5.2.4.2.3.2. Preterite or Imperfective?......Page 144 5.2.4.2.3.3. Imperfective יקטל in the Report: Conclusion......Page 145 5.2.5. Volitive Modal Forms......Page 146 5.3. The System of Verbal Tenses in the Song of the Sea: Conclusion......Page 148 6.1. Introduction: Discourse Structure......Page 150 6.2.1.1. Perfect קטל : Morphosyntactic Characteristics......Page 156 6.2.1.2. Perfect קטל : Semantic, Pragmatic, and Discursive Characteristics......Page 157 6.2.1.2.1.1. The Retrospective Report: Perfect קטל......Page 158 6.2.1.2.1.2. Hebr. יקטל and ויקטל in the Retrospective Report......Page 160 6.2.1.2.2. Perfect קטל in the Hymnal Report......Page 161 6.2.1.2.3. Perfect קטל in Direct Discourse Quotations......Page 162 6.2.1.2.4. Perfect קטל in Argument (Tribal Sayings)......Page 163 6.2.1.3. Perfect קטל : Conclusion......Page 164 6.2.2.1. Imperfective יקטל : Morphosyntactic Characteristics......Page 165 6.2.2.2.1. Imperfective יקטל as Progressive Present......Page 166 6.2.2.2.3. Imperfective יקטל as Past Iterative and Habitual Present......Page 167 6.2.2.2.4. The Problem of Preterite יקטל......Page 168 6.2.3.1. The Imperative......Page 169 6.2.3.2. The Cohortative......Page 170 6.2.3.3. The Jussive......Page 171 6.3. The System of Verbal Tenses in the Song of Deborah: Conclusion......Page 173 7.1.1. The Communicative Situation and the Problem of the Speaker’s Identity......Page 176 7.1.2. Discourse Mode Variety......Page 178 7.1.3. The Victory Song in II Sam 22:33–46: Problems of Discursive Analysis......Page 181 7.1.4. The Discourse Structure of II Sam 22:2–51: Conclusion......Page 186 7.2.1. Nominal Verbal Forms in Predicate Position......Page 187 7.2.2.2.1. Preterite ו(יקטל ( in the Narrative Passage and Other Tenses......Page 188 7.2.2.3. Preterite ו(יקטל (: Conclusion......Page 190 7.2.3.2. Perfect קטל : Semantic, Pragmatic, and Discursive Characteristics......Page 192 7.2.4.2. Imperfective יקטל : Semantic, Pragmatic, and Discursive Characteristics......Page 193 7.2.6. Verbal Forms in the Retrospective Report in II Sam 22:33–46......Page 196 7.2.6.2. Forms of the Prefix Conjugation and the Structure of the Retrospective Report......Page 198 7.2.6.3. Perfect קטל and Its Role in the Retrospective Report......Page 201 7.2.6.4. The System of Tenses in the Retrospective Report of II Sam 22:33–46: Conclusion......Page 203 7.3. The System(s) of Verbal Tenses in the Song of David: Conclusion......Page 205 8.1.1. The Opening......Page 208 8.1.2. Separate Sayings: Discourse Mode Mapping......Page 210 8.1.2.1. The Personal Sayings......Page 212 8.2.1. The Participle......Page 214 8.2.2.2.1. The Perfect in Retrospective Report......Page 215 8.2.2.2.2. Static, Performative, and Gnomic Perfect......Page 218 8.2.3. Waw-Consecutive ויקטל......Page 220 8.2.4. Imperfective יקטל......Page 223 8.2.5.1.1. The Jussive as a Volitive Mood......Page 226 8.2.5.1.2. The ‘Jussive’ Form in a Generalizing Sentence......Page 228 8.2.5.3. The Cohortative......Page 229 8.3. The System of Verbal Tenses in the Blessing of Jacob: Conclusion......Page 230 9.1.1. The Problem of the Speech Participants and Speech Pragmatics......Page 234 9.1.2. The Discourse Mode Typology......Page 237 9.2.1. The Participle......Page 241 9.2.2.2.1. The Stative, Resultant, and Anterior Perfect; the ‘Perfect of Confidence’......Page 242 9.2.2.2.2. Perfect for Future in Prospective Report......Page 243 9.2.2.4. Hebr. וקטל......Page 244 9.2.3.2.1. Imperfective יקטל for the Present Progressive and Immediate Future......Page 246 9.2.3.2.2. Imperfective יקטל in Retrospective Report......Page 247 9.2.3.2.3. Imperfective יקטל for Habitual Aspect, Future, and Epistemic Modality......Page 248 9.2.4.1. The Jussive......Page 249 9.2.4.1.1. The Jussive as a Volitive Mood......Page 250 9.2.4.1.2. The Jussive as a Conditional or Subjunctive Mood......Page 251 9.2.5. The System of Verbal Tenses in the Oracles of Balaam: Conclusion......Page 252 10.1.1. The Communication Participants......Page 254 10.1.2. The Dynamism of Discourse Modes......Page 256 10.2.1. The Participle......Page 259 10.2.2.1. The Perfect: Morphosyntactic Characteristics......Page 261 10.2.2.2.1. The Perfect for Resultant and Anterior Events......Page 262 10.2.2.2.2. The Perfect in Habitual Sayings......Page 263 10.2.2.2.3. The Perfect for Simple and Sequential Past......Page 264 10.2.3. Hebr. וקטל......Page 265 10.2.4.1. Imperfective יקטל : Morphosyntactic Characteristics......Page 266 10.2.4.2. Imperfective יקטל : Semantic, Pragmatic, and Discursive Characteristics......Page 267 10.2.4.3. Imperfective יקטל : Conclusion......Page 270 10.2.5.1. The Imperative......Page 271 10.2.5.2. The Jussive......Page 272 10.3. The System of Verbal Tenses in the Blessing of Moses: Conclusion......Page 273 11.1. Introduction: Discourse Structure......Page 276 11.2.1.1. The Active Participle......Page 281 11.2.2. The Perfect......Page 282 11.2.3. Hebr. ויקטל......Page 283 11.2.4. Imperfect יקטל......Page 285 11.2.5. Volitive Forms: The Jussive......Page 286 11.3. The System of Verbal Tenses in the Song of Hannah: Conclusion......Page 287 Part III: The Verb Tenses in Archaic Hebrew: A Typological and Historical Evaluation......Page 290 12.1.1. Verbal Tenses and Discourse Modes in Poetic Texts......Page 292 12.1.2. Beyond the Discourse Mode Typology......Page 295 12.2.1.1. The Discursive Test......Page 296 12.2.1.2. The Historical Linguistic Test......Page 297 12.2.1.3. The Systemic Test......Page 298 12.2.2.1. Genetic Classification: The Scope of Central Semitic......Page 300 12.2.2.2. Genetic Classification: The Position of Hebrew......Page 301 12.2.2.3. Genetic Groups and Linguistic Areas......Page 303 13.1.1. Preterite יקטל......Page 305 13.1.2. Imperfective יקטל......Page 307 13.1.3. Nominal Verbal Forms in Predicate Position......Page 310 13.1.4. The Limited Use of Perfect קטל in Narrative......Page 311 13.1.5. The Lack of Conditional and Purposive וקטל......Page 313 13.1.6. The Perfect ו(קטל ( for Simple Past in Report......Page 314 13.1.7. The Lack of the System of Sequential Tenses......Page 315 13.1.8. The 2nd-Person Jussive in Affirmative Sentences......Page 317 13.1.10. The Lack of Complementary Syntactic Distribution between the Volitive and Non-Volitive Forms of the Prefix Conjugation......Page 318 13.1.11. The Lack of the Lengthened Imperative......Page 320 13.2. Mapping Out the Relatively Archaic Phenomena: Conclusion......Page 321 13.3.1. The Transition from the Archaic to the Classical Stages of the Verb System......Page 323 13.3.2. The Phenomena of Classical and Late Biblical Syntax in the Corpus of ‘Archaic’ Poetry......Page 324 13.3.3. The Archaic Hebrew Verb and LBH: Some Traces of Similarity......Page 326 14.1.1. Indicative Forms......Page 328 14.1.2. Volitive Modal Forms......Page 330 14.2.1. Narrative Tenses in the Archaic Language Type: An Interpretation......Page 331 14.2.2. Narrative Tenses in the Archaic Language Type: The Historical Context......Page 338 14.3. Concluding Remarks......Page 342 Bibliography......Page 344 Biblical Passages......Page 372 The Verb in Archaic Biblical Poetry: A Discursive, Typological, and Historical Investigation of the Tense System offers a comprehensive analysis of the syntactic, semantic, pragmatic, and discursive properties of the verb in the corpus of "archaic" biblical poetry (The Song of Moses, Song of the Sea, Song of Deborah, Song of David, Blessing of Jacob, Oracles of Balaam, Blessing of Moses, and Song of Hannah). The approachintegrates modern research on tense, aspect, and modality, while also addressing the complicated philological issues in these texts. The study presents discursive analysis of biblical poetic texts, systemic description of each text's tense system, and reconstruction of the archaic verbal tenses as attested in part of the corpus. --Back Cover