Ok, but I disagree with both of you and John Cook (did you see what I did just 
there?). I see 1.1 as a standalone introduction, almost titular. Then the story 
proper begins at 1.2.

Don, do you see the clause beginning ורוח אלהים also being contrastive?

GEORGE ATHAS
Dean of Research,
Moore Theological College (Sydney, Australia)



On 23/11/2012, at 12:02 AM, "Donald Vance" 
<[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:

I disagree with you George. I see a clear contrast in Gen 1:2. "In the 
beginning, God created the sky and the earth, but the earth was formless and 
void." On the other hand, if one goes with John Cook's reading, then there is 
no contrast merely the end of the circumstantial clause, "In the beginning of 
God creating the sky and the earth, the earth was formless and void."


Donald R. Vance, Ph.D.
Professor of Biblical Languages and Literature
Oral Roberts University
[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>
[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>


On Nov 22, 2012, at 12:40 AM, George Athas wrote:

Sorry for the delay in replying, Bryant, but I've been at the SBL convention.

If you're asking for an occasion where a waw + noun at the front of a clause 
does not indicate a contrast, we could probably just look at Gen 1.2. The verse 
begins with this construction (והארץ היתה) and includes another (ורוח אלהים). 
In both these cases, we can say we have disjunctive syntax such that the verse 
feels like it's interposing an idea, but I don't think either of the relevant 
clauses is contrastive to what is before.

Similarly, you might check out Gen 34.5 and how it isn't really contrasting 
with Gen 34.4, although it is still disjunctive (introducing some extra 
information).

Cheers!

GEORGE ATHAS
Dean of Research,
Moore Theological College (moore.edu.au<http://moore.edu.au>)
Sydney, Australia


From: "Rev. Bryant J. Williams III" 
<[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>>
Date: Sunday, 18 November 2012 4:50 AM
To: George Athas <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>>, 
B-Hebrew <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>>
Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Psa 22,3

Dear George,

Okayyyyyy, what are the other reasons for using this disjunctive if not for 
only contrast;with examples please?

Rev. Bryant J. Williams III
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