Page:Gesenius' Hebrew Grammar (1910 Kautzsch-Cowley edition).djvu/455

 2. The correlative comparatives greater—less (older—younger) are expressed by the simple adjective with the article (the great, equivalent to the greater, &c.);, , ,.

3. To express the superlative it is also sufficient (see above, f) to make the adjective determinate, either by means of the article or a following partitive genitive (or suffix); in this case the article or genitive indicates that the attribute in question belongs especially to one or more definite individuals; e.g. ; 16:11, i.e. the youngest of eight sons; 17:14 David was , i.e. elder, &c.; , , .—So also with a qualifying adjective, e.g.  ; cf. ; also with a following genitive, :  the least upon the earth; with suffix, , i.e. the best of them; Jan 3:5 ; cf. the inverse order in,.

Rem. 1. The above examples apply only to the most common relative attributes (great, small, good), and to expressions which by usage easily came to be recognized as periphrases for the superlative. Other adjectives, however, when followed by a partitive genitive, also acquire the sense of a superlative; this appears from the context, e.g. the most hidden treasures of the sand;  the wisest amongst her ladies;, ,  f., 29:19, , , , ,  (in the most horrible of valleys), 41:22; probably also. On this government by the adjective generally, cf. .—Moreover, the combination of a substantive in the construct state with an adjective used substantivally sometimes serves as a periphrasis for the superlative, e.g.  . On  see.

2. Other periphrases for the superlative are the use of a substantive in the construct state before the plural of the same word (which is naturally to be regarded as a partitive genitive; cf. our book of books), e.g. ;   the most excellent song; cf. (= servus servorum, the lowest servant);, (, 3) ; ,  (cf. Gal 1:5, Rev 22:5); , ,  (king of kings, of Nebuchadrezzar; cf. 1 Tim 6:15, Rev 17:14, 19:16, and another kind of periphrasis in );. Similarly in two participles are combined, and in  two substantives in the singular. Finally, the same object is attained by connecting one substantive in the construct state with another of the same stem (, i.e. an obligatory day of rest,, &c.) or of the same meaning (e.g. , ).

3. The intensification of attributes by means of repetition belongs rather to rhetoric than to syntax, e.g. ;, ; the adjective is even used three times in .—Cf. the repetition of adverbs for the same purpose in, (, also  , &c.); .—On the other hand, in  the repetition expresses