Page:Gesenius' Hebrew Grammar (1910 Kautzsch-Cowley edition).djvu/348



Mayer Lambert, ‘Sur la syntaxe de l’impératif en hébreu,’ in 1897, p. 106 ff.

1. The imperative, which, according to § 46, is restricted to the 2nd pers. sing. and plur., and to positive commands, &c., may stand either alone, or in simple co-ordination (as in, , ) with other imperatives:

(a) To express real commands, e.g. get thee out of thy country; or (like the jussive) mere admonitions  and requests,, ; on the addition of  see below, Rem. 1. The imperative is used in the sense of an ironical challenge (often including a threat) in ask for him the kingdom also; 22:15,,  (with ), , , , f., 40:10ff.,. The imperative has a concessive sense in (though thou make thyself many, &c.), and in the cases discussed under f, e.g.  f., 29:9.

(b) To express permission, e.g. after previous dissuasion, (then) run (as far as I am concerned)! ,.

(c) To express a distinct assurance (like our expression, thou shalt have it) or promise, e.g. but be ye glad, &c. (i.e. ye will have continually occasion to be glad); and, ; in a threat,. So especially in commands, the fulfilment of which is altogether out of the power of the person addressed, e.g. be far from anxiety (meaning, thou needst not fear any more);, &c. (for other examples, such as, , see below, f). Most clearly in the case of the with a passive meaning, e.g.  ;,  (, see below, f).

Rem. 1. The particle (§ 105) is frequently added to the imperative, as to the jussive, sometimes to soften down a command, or to make a request in a more courteous form (see above, a),, , sometimes to strengthen an exhortation uttered as a rebuke or threat  or in ridicule.

2. The imperative after the desiderative particle  (at the end of verses 5 and 14 also read  for  and join it to the following imperative) is due to an anacoluthon. Instead of the imperfect which would be expected here after, the more forcible imperative is used in a new sentence.

2. The imperative in logical dependence upon a preceding imperative, jussive (or cohortative), or an interrogative sentence, serves to