Lambdin, Introduction to Biblical Hebrew

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9.2.1.6 Lambdin, Introduction to Biblical Hebrew

Lambdin’s treatment of temporal clauses unfortunately does not advance the discussion of this important area of syntax. Lambdin states: With and the infinitive is the equivalent of an adverbial mostly temporal clause in English: + when he heard the word when or while I stood before him Both prepositions are common in this usage, but with certain verbs, especially and , is by far the preferred preposition. There are reasons, founded in the aspectual nature of these verbs, which govern this choice, but a catalog of uses would serve no purpose in an elementary grammar of this sort. Lambdin 1971, 129 Even though Lambdin recognizes that certain factors are involved in the choice of or , the examples give the impression that both prepositions are used as “when.” The comment that the real issue is verbal aspect is intriguing, but unfortunately, he provides no further discussion. This comment will, however, be discussed below in 9.3.2.2.1.5 after the display and discussion of the occurrences of both and with infinitive constructs. One further comment by Lambdin regarding temporal clauses has particular significance for the present study. Lambdin states that [t]he verb in a leading clause requires special consideration. By virtue of its double meaning “bebecome” it may be used to describe a non- punctual past tense situation e.g. “there was a famine in the land”. If a narrative sequence begins with a clause containing the verb or , the real nature of the sequence is not clear until we reach a continuing verb. Lambdin 1971, 279 262 The comment regarding the need to consider the continuing verb in a narrative sequence initiated by has important implications for the analysis of presented in the upcoming sections of the present chapter. This comment reflects an awareness of the complex nature of the narrative web which is also what motivated the separation of the temporal occurrences of into categories based on the type of verb which directly follows.

9.2.1.7 Waltke and O’Connor, Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax