255 9.3.5 With Specific Temporal Reference
9.3.6 Occurrences of with Adverbs
The number of occurrences of in each category varies widely. In 9.3.2, for
example, two of the largest sections are those which display the uses of followed by
the prepositions and . The summary which concludes this chapter sets the stage for the discussion in Chapter 10, the Discourse-Pragmatic uses of
.
9.2 Introduction to Temporal Expressions in Biblical Hebrew
An extensive discussion of the syntax of temporal expressions or clauses in biblical Hebrew is beyond the scope of the present study, but this is exactly what is
needed for comprehensive treatment of ’s role in the temporal structure of the biblical
Hebrew text. There is an unfortunate paucity of material in the standard volumes on biblical Hebrew grammar and syntax, not only on the temporal clause, but on other types
of clauses as well. This is most likely what motivated van der Merwe to comment that “relatively little about the syntax, semantics andor pragmatics of BH temporal
expressions” is known van der Merwe 1997, 42.
9.2.1 The Syntax of Temporal Expressions in Hebrew Grammars
9.2.1.1 Introduction
Introductory grammars and textbooks on syntax cannot be expected to be exhaustive. It is understandable that in an introductory grammar, choices need to be made
to keep the most essential information in focus. In Lambdin’s section on temporal
256 clauses, he discusses the role of prepositions, saying that the choice of or is governed
by the aspectual nature of certain verbs. He states, however, that “a catalog of uses would serve no purpose in an elementary grammar of this sort” Lambdin 1971, 129. The
decision to not include a catalog of uses in an introductory grammar is understandable, but unfortunately, information which is deemed too advanced or detailed for the
elementary grammar seldom finds its way into another publication. Also, a mere “catalog of uses” is of limited value if there is no discussion of the function of the linguistic items
listed therein. The problem lies, however, not in the amount of space or pages which deal with the topic, but in the atomistic perspective that is typically reflected in many
grammatical and syntactical descriptions, i.e., presenting examples of grammatical categories without considering their connection to the system of the language as a whole.
For example, Davidson’s Syntax states, “[w]hen is expressed by , with infin., or by ,
with finite verb or nominal cl.” Gibson 1994, 157. It is important, of course, to know what items like “mean,” but to say that all four items listed here
“mean” when does not help the student know when to use which when. In a sense, this description provides a type of lexical equivalent. If the goal were to merely assign lexical
equivalents for each linguistic item in Hebrew, this might be adequate, but when the goal is understanding the use and function of these items, a greater depth of understanding is
needed. At the level of the narrative or discourse as a whole, understanding the use and
function of temporal expressions is fundamental. From a functional perspective, analysis not only involves cataloguing the linguistic items involved in temporal expressions, it
257 also requires exploring the different contexts of use and the factors which motivate and
govern the use of the different temporal expressions. The motivation to explore the functions of, for example, the prepositions and with the infinitive construct is the
analytical principle of choice 5.2.4.4. Choice implies that there is some functional difference that motivates the use of or in certain contexts. This indicates, then, that
both and cannot mean exactly the same when. Any description of these prepositions, even in introductory grammars, should reflect the different nuances of meaning and
usage—or at least alert the student to their context-sensitive nature. The following brief review of GKC, Davidson, Williams, Joüon-Muraoka,
Lambdin, Waltke and O’Connor, Pratico and Van Pelt, and van der Merwe, reveals that very little attention has been given to the variety of temporal expressions in biblical
Hebrew. Most of the discussion in these grammars is dedicated to the lexical level, with some attention given to the basic syntax, for example, of the combination of prepositions
with infinitive constructs to form temporal expressions.
9.2.1.2 GKC, Gesenius’ Hebrew Grammar
