Page:Introductory Hebrew Grammar- Hebrew Syntax (1902).djvu/162

 are nominal — This definition, though only partially exact, is sufficient.

1. The Nominal Sentence

§ 103. In the nominal sent., which expresses a constant and enduring condition, the subj. is the most prominent element. In general the emphatic word is placed first, hence in this sent. he order is — subj., pred. The subj. in the nominal sent. is very generally definite, but not always. Gen. 2:12 וּֽזֲהַב הָאָרֶץ הַהִיא טוֹב  and the gold of that land is good; 13:13 וְאַנְשֵׁי סְדֹם רָעִים   and the men of S. were wicked; 2:10 וְנָהָר יֹצֵא   and a river went forth; 29:17 וְעֵינֵי לֵאָה רַכּוֹת   the eyes of L. were tender, 12:6; 13:7. Esp. after הִנֵּה , and when ptcp. is pred., 16:6 הִנֵּה שִׁפְחָתֵךְ בְּיָדֵךְ  thy maid is in thy hand. 20:15, 16; 27:42; 28:12; 41:3, 5, 6; 48:1.

§ 104. This order is not invariable. There is considerable freedom in the disposition of the parts of the sent., and emphasis on the pred. may give it the first place. (a) A simple adj. when pred. often stands first, particularly if the subj. be also simple, though when the subj. is of some heaviness the adj. may be put at the end, cf. Gen. 2:12 above. Jer. 12:1 צַכְִיק אַתָּה יהוה  righteous art thou, Je. Particularly if the adj. be in the comparative, 1 S. 24:18 צַדִּיק אַתָּה מִמֶּנִּי  thou art more righteous than I; Gen. 29:19 טוֹב תִּתִּי אֹתָהּ לָךְ   it is better that I give her to thee. Gen. 4:13, Hos. 13:12, Ps. 111:2, 4; 116:5; 118:8, 9.

(b) In dependent sentences, e.g. after כִּי  that, for, the pred. has a certain emphasis, and stands first. Gen. 3:5 כִּי יֹדֵעַ אלהים  for God knows, 3:6; 22:12. Esp. if subj. be a pron.; 3:10 כִּי עֵירֹם אָנֹֽכִי  because I was naked; 3:19; 20:7; 25:30; 29:9; 42:33, Am. 7:13. And in general the pronominal subj. is without emphasis, 24:34; 26:9; 30:1, Am. 7:14; though, of course, it may be otherwise, as when