Page:Gesenius' Hebrew Grammar (1910 Kautzsch-Cowley edition).djvu/341

 willed), or as in some way conditional, and consequently only contingent. More particularly such imperfects serve—

(a) As an expression of will, whether it be a definite intention and arrangement, or a simple desire, viz.:

(1) Sometimes in positive sentences in place of the cohortative (cf. e.g. with verse 18;  with ;, &c.), of the imperative , or of the jussive (which, however, in most cases, does not differ from the ordinary form of the imperfect), e.g.  , , , 3,  (and so frequently in verbs ; cf. , note 2);  ;  ;  ; ,  (co-ordinated with the imperative),  ; so probably also  .—So also in the 1st pers., to express a wish which is asserted subsequently with reference to a fixed point of time in the past, e.g.   [not should as A.V., R.V.] have, (then, immediately after being born) given up the ghost; cf. verse 19 and ,. Even to express an obligation or necessity according to the judgement of another person, e.g.,. Cp. , ; in a question,,.

(2) To express the definite expectation that something will not happen. The imperfect with represents a more emphatic form of prohibition than the jussive with  (cf. ), and corresponds to our thou shalt not do it! with the strongest expectation of obedience, while  with the jussive is rather a simple warning, do not that! Thus  with the imperfect is especially used in enforcing the divine commands, e.g.  ; cf. verses 3, 4, 5, 7, 10 ff. So with the 3rd pers. perhaps in.

Rem. The, which is to be expected after , does not, as a rule (according to n, and , note 2), differ in form from the simple imperfect. That many supposed jussives are intended as simple imperfects is possible from the occurrence after of what are undoubtedly imperfect forms, not only from verbs  (cf., note 2), but also from verbs , to express a prohibition or negative wish,  ,  ,. Even with the 1st pers. plur. (after an imperative),. Also to express the conviction that something cannot happen,, ; cf. ,.