We may compare the Hebrew use of imperative with the Akkadian use—they are cognate languages. For example; Nebukadrezzar (Nabu kudurru usur) means Nabu (the god) kudurru (heir) usur (protect/save)— "Let Nabu protect the heir." The form usur is imperative of nasaru, and it represents a wish and not a command. The same is true with several other names of kings.
Best regards, Rolf Furuli Stavern Norway Torsdag 13. Juni 2013 01:13 CEST skrev Ruth Mathys <[email protected]>: > >> 8. The fact that the Hebrew imperative has other nuances (i.e., making a > >> request, giving permission, expressing a wish) does not mean that it is > >> not a > >> true imperative conjugation. > > > I¹m not questioning that the conjugation exists, just is it accurate to > > > call > > it an ³imperative²? In the same way it¹s inaccurate to call a Qatal a > > ³perfect² or ³perfective²? > > > ³Imperative² means command, and you¹re saying that, as Ruth Mathys might > > > say, > > this conjugation is not an imperative in action. Is that what you¹re saying? > > I'm rather enjoying being regarded as a guru! Stop before it goes to my > head. Anyone can throw big words around and sound impressive. > > > In other words, are we dealing with, like in the case of the Wayyiqtol and > > tense, that it is the context that carries whatever imperative action where > > the conjugation is used, rather than the conjugation itself? > > > >> The English imperative has these same nuances as well, among others, > > > >> but is > >> nonetheless a true imperative. > > > It¹s been many years since I was taught English grammar in grade school, > > > and > > there they taught that the imperative mood meant only command. And the only > > examples given were of commands. > > 'Imperative' is the label given to the verb form but there is a wide range > of meanings that could be 'actioned' by that form (and this differs from > language to language, of course). In BH it's fine to ask God to do > something by using an imperative, isn't it? I think the English imperative > is a very strong form -- I use it on my children but not my husband! In my > English at least, it's really important for politeness to ask indirectly > ("When you have a moment, would you be able to...?) But that's not true of > every language or culture. I remember being quite taken aback at first in > a cross-cultural situation when my peers used unvarnished imperatives on me > all the time. But it's just how you do it in that language. > > (Even in English, not every imperative form is a true command. Think of > expressions like "Get a life!" or "Hold me back!") > > Ruth Mathys > > > _______________________________________________ > b-hebrew mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/b-hebrew _______________________________________________ b-hebrew mailing list [email protected] http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/b-hebrew
