Page:Gesenius' Hebrew Grammar (1910 Kautzsch-Cowley edition).djvu/506

  as the regular negative with the infinitive construct, see ; on  as a conjunction, see x below.

On as a negative particle in oaths (verily not), see  above.

Rem. on, ,. To the category of negative sentences belongs also the expression of negative attributes by means of, (both so used almost exclusively in poetic language) or  with a following substantive, mostly in the simplest form of circumstantial clause; e.g.   when there are not clouds, i.e. a cloudless morning; cf. , b, 38:26 (, i.e. uninhabited);, 32 ; so also e.g.  and  e.g.  I am as a man , i.e. like a helpless man;  ; 47:1, ; , , &c., but usually (, &c.) like a proper circumstantial clause (cf. ) connected by , .—Less frequently such periphrases take the form of relative clauses (cf. ), e.g.   they for whom there is no helper, i.e. the helpless (but probably  is only an intrusion from 29:12, and we should read  without any one’s restraining them; in 29:12 translate the fatherless and him that had none to help him; in   is used in the same sense); ; with   thy work is that of a man who hath no hands;  out of the waterless pit.

How far such compounds finally came to be regarded by the language simply as negative adjectives, may be seen partly from the fact that they (as also relative clauses analogous to the above) are frequently co-ordinated with real adjectives,, , ; cf. also, where is parallel with ; partly from their being introduced by the sign of the dative , e.g.  (= and to the powerless); a.3,.

(i), at the beginning of a clause expressing a fear or precaution, hence especially after such ideas as fearing, , &c. (cf. δείδω μή, vereor ne), taking heed, frequently after, , , &c., taking care, , &c. Not infrequently the idea on which depends, is only virtually contained in the main clause, e.g.  I cannot escape to the mountain (because I am afraid), ;, ; also in  from the rhetorical question how shall I... ? we must understand I cannot, governing. This is especially the case after an appeal to do or not to do an action by which something may be prevented (in which case is simply equivalent to the final ne); cf. e.g., , (where  is separated from the verb by a strongly emphasized substantive);  after swear unto me; .—In  and now, lest he put forth his hand, &c.,  is to be regarded as virtually dependent on a cohortative, which immediately afterwards (verse 23) is changed into an historic tense; cf. also, , , , , , in every case after , , &c.=I thought, &c., I must beware lest, &c.

Rem. According to, is naturally followed by the imperfect; for the exceptions, , , see , note 3; cf. moreover,, &c.