Details

Subject(s)

• Hebrew language—Verb [Browse]
• Hebrew language—Paragraphs [Browse]
• Cognitive grammar [Browse]
• Bible Old Testament—Language, style [Browse]
• Bible—Language, style [Browse]

Series

• Studies in Semitic languages and linguistics ; Volume 78. [More in this series]
• Studies in Semitic Languages and Linguistics, 0081-8461 ; Volume 78

Summary note

\'Research on the function and semantics of the verbal system in Hebrew (and Semitics in general) has been in constant ferment since McFall’s 1982 work The Enigma of the Hebrew Verbal System . Elizabeth Robar's analysis provides the best solution to this point, combining cognitive linguistics, cross-linguistics, diachronic and synchronic analysis. Her solution is brilliant, innovative, and supremely satisfying in interpreting all the data with great explanatory power. Let us hope this research will be quickly implemented in grammars of Hebrew.\' Peter J. Gentry , Donald L. Williams Professor of Old Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY. In The Verb and the Paragraph in Biblical Hebrew , Elizabeth Robar employs cognitive linguistics to unravel the notorious grammatical quandary in biblical Hebrew: explaining the waw consecutive, as well as other poorly understood verbal forms (e.g. with paragogic suffixes). She explains that languages must communicate the shape of thought units: including the prototypical paragraph, with its beginning, middle and ending; and its message. She demonstrates how the waw consecutive is both simpler and more nuanced than often argued. It neither foregrounds nor is a preterite, but it enables highly embedded textual structures. She also shows how allegedly anomalous forms may be used for thematic purposes, guiding the reader to the author’s intended interpretation for the text as it stands.

Notes

Description based upon print version of record.

Bibliographic references

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Source of description

Description based on print version record.

Language note

English

Contents

• Preliminary Material
• 1 A Foundation in Cognitive Linguistics
• 2 Schematic Continuity
• 3 Schematic Discontinuity
• 4 Conclusion
• Bibliography
• Author Index
• Biblical Reference Index
• Subject Index.

Show 6 more Contents items

ISBN

90-04-28311-0

OCLC

• 896833887
• 893333624

Doi

• 10.1163/9789004283114

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