Volitives in MT-ETCBC

[drmatt.thomas]

In the switch from the BHS-T to the MT-ETCBC(-A), there's a lot to like, some things to tolerate, and (at least) one thing to deplore. That last one is that cohortatives and jussives are no longer marked as such (imperatives are still marked). This is a big deal.

 

One thing that I like to do with students is examine the verb forms in Genesis 12:1-3. In particular, I draw their attention to the imperative "וֶהְיֵ֖ה / And be!" at the end of verse 2; the cohortative "וַאֲגַדְּלָ֖ה / let me make ___ great" just before that; and the cohortative "וַאֲבָֽרֲכָה֙ / let me bless" in verse 3. From there, we can discuss what difference that makes to meaning and whether any of the other 1st person verbs might be cohortative--at least in sense--as well.

 

Not having the cohortatives or jussives marked--at least where it is clear from the morphology--makes that a much more constrained discussion. Not to mention the limitations it places on searches.

 

Thanks,

Matt