Genesis 1–11: A Handbook on the Hebrew Text
Overview
In this linguistic commentary, author Barry Bandstra brings students of biblical Hebrew a non-traditional perspective on the first eleven chapters of Genesis. The approach is called functional grammar and brings clarity to verb forms, rare words, unusual syntactical constructions, and more.
Top Highlights
“Above all, this has to do with the Subject of the clause and the Finite verb form of the clause. The interpersonal structure of a clause belongs to the Mood system, though this should not be thought of as having to do with emotions. Rather, the term Mood has to do with modes of interaction, for which Subject and Finite are key concepts.” (Page 3)
“This feature of a verb is typically called its tense. Thus, the Finite expresses its ‘finitude’ in two dimensions: (a) by specifying person, gender, and number, and (b) by specifying the time of the process relative to the temporal reference point of the text.” (Page 5)
“The Finite is the main verb of a clause in BH that is congruent with the Subject in person, number, and gender” (Page 4)
“it adds precision given the fundamental claim that messages are used to accomplish interpersonal goals” (Page 3)
“The set of BH verb tense forms is integrally related to the clause combining system in so far as the basic choices in past narration are between wayyiqtol and qatal. The former is the default choice for making the Process the Theme. The latter signals a clause that intentionally breaks the temporally sequential organization in order to insert non-sequential expansion.” (Page 23)
- Title: Genesis 1–11: A Handbook on the Hebrew Text
- Author: Barry Bandstra
- Series: Baylor Handbook on the Hebrew Bible
- Publisher: Baylor University Press
- Print Publication Date: 2008
- Logos Release Date: 2012
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Bible. O.T. Genesis 1-11 › Language, style; Hebrew language › Grammar; Hebrew language › Discourse analysis
- ISBNs: 9781602581647, 9781932792706, 9781281162106, 9781481302524, 1602581649, 1932792708, 1281162108, 1481302523
- Resource ID: LLS:HBKHBRTXT01GE1
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-10-05T16:35:33Z