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The conjunctive vav (ו ) is prefixed to a Hebrew word, phrase, or clause for the following reasons: To join a series of related nouns (translate and ); To join a series of alternative nouns (translate or ); To show contrast between clauses (translate but ); To introduce a new theme or idea (translate now ); To provide explanatory or circumstantial information when introducing a clause (translate and ). 2
Normally, a conjunctive vav is spelled with a vocal sheva (ו ) before most consonants; however, it can also be spelled with other vowels in certain circumstances. 3
The conjunctive vav is spelled according to the exception for the 1st Rule of Sheva (two shevas can t be together at the beginning of a word).,(י ) When the conjunctive vav precedes a yod sheva.(ו ) the vav is spelled with a hireq and Judah ו ויה ד ה 4
The conjunctive vav is spelled according to the 2 nd Rule of Sheva in the presence of a hateph vowel. The vav is spelled with the corresponding short vowel of the hateph vowel. and I ו א ני and do good ו ע שה ט וב so I can speak ו א דב ה 5
The conjunctive vav is spelled with a shureq (ו ) before: The consonants (labials) ב or מ or פ (BuMP rule); Words beginning with a vocal sheva. וב שם and by a name and Melchizedek ו מלכי צ ד ק and the fruit of your land ו פ י אדמ ת ך and in the streets of Jerusalem וב ות חצ י ו שלם 6
The conjunctive vav may, but is not always, spelled with a qamets before single syllable words and certain words that are accented on the first syllable. and night ו ל יל ה and earth ו א ץ and a generation ו ד 7
Some grammars make a distinction between the functions previously mentioned and call the conjunctive vav a: Vav-conjunctive; Vav-disjunctive; Vav-consecutive (also called a vav-conversive or reversing vav). Sometimes the word order is switched so that the word vav is either before or after the function of the vav. 8
A conjunctive vav is best translated and. A disjunctive vav is used to show contrast between clauses and is usually translated but. These two vavs are not prefixed to verbs. 9
Consecutive vavs are attached to verbs. A vav-patach-dagesh forte [ [ו is usually attached to yiqtol verbs (imperfect verbs). An imperfect verb is the mainline verb form in historical narrative. 10
Consecutive vavs are attached to verbs (cont.). A vav with a sheva [ו ] is usually attached to qatal verbs (perfect verbs). A perfect verb is the mainline verb form seen in forms of direct speech (predictive narrative and instructional discourse). 11
A consecutive vav also means and or but (like the conjunctive or disjunctive vavs do); however, the consecutive vav also links a string of events so that the action of a verb is the consequence of the preceding event. A consecutive vav can also be translated as then, so, or consequently. 12
Now let s see how the different kinds of conjunctive vavs are used in historical narrative in Genesis 31:17-22. 13
Genesis 31:17 ו י ק ם יע קב And/then (vav-consectutive) Jacob rose up ו ישא א ת ב נ יו and (vav-consecutive) he set his sons ו א ת נ שיו על הגמל ים and (vav-conjunctive) his wives on the camels. 14
Genesis 31:18 ו ינהג א ת כ ל מקנ ה ו And (vav-consecutive) he carried away all his cattle ו א ת כ ל כ שו... and (vav-conjunctive) all his goods 15
Genesis 31:19 ו ל ב ן ה לך לגזז א ת צאנ ו But (vav-disjunctive) Laban went to shear his sheep; ו תגנב חל א ת הת פים א ש לא ב י ה and (vav consecutive) Rachel had stolen the images/idols which [were] her fathers. 16
Genesis 31:20 ו יגנב יע קב א ת ל ב ל ב ן ה א מי... And (vav consecutive) Jacob stole away unknown to Laban the Syrian. 17
Genesis 31:21 ו יב ח ה וא So (vav consecutive) he fled ו כ ל א ש ל ו and (vav-conjunctive) all that he had/was his; 18
Genesis 31:21 (cont.) ו י ק ם and (vav consecutive) he rose up ו יע ב א ת הנ ה and (vav consecutive) passed over the river 19
Genesis 31:21 (cont.) ו י שם א ת פ נ יו ה הגלע ד and (vav consecutive) set his face [toward] the mountains of Gilead. 20
Genesis 31:22 ו י גד לל ב ן השל ב יום ישי כי ב ח יע קב And (vav consecutive) Laban was told on the third day that Jacob had fled. 21
Now let s see how the different kinds of conjunctive vavs are used in direct speech in Genesis 3:2-4. 22
Genesis 3:1 ו הנ ח ש ה י ה Now (vav-conjunctive) the serpent was ע ום מכל ה ית הש ד ה א ש ע שה י הו ה... more cunning than any beast of the field which Yehovah had made. 23
Genesis 3:2 ו תאמ ה אשה א ל הנ ח ש... And (vav consecutive) the woman said to the serpent (Forms of אמ usually introduce direct speech.) 24
Genesis 3:3 ו מפ י ה ע ץ א ש בתו ך הג ן... but (vav-disjunctive; note BuMP rule) of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden ו לא תגע ו בו פן תמ ת ון and (vav-conjunctive b/c it s part of a string of negatives) neither shall you touch it lest you die. 25
Genesis 3:4 ו יאמ הנ ח ש א ל ה א שה And (vav-consecutive) the serpent said to the woman, לא מו ת תמ ת ון You will not surely die (die die). (Die is repeated twice for emphasis.) 26
Biblical Hebrew A Compact Guide, Miles Van Pelt, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, copyright 2012. Biblical Hebrew An Introductory Grammar, Page H. Kelly, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, copyright 1992. Learning Biblical Hebrew A New Approach Using Discourse Analysis, B.M. Rocine, Smyth & Helwys Publishing, Inc., Macon, Georgia, copyright 2000.
Hebrew lessons compiled by: Beth C. Mehaffey https://holyhiway.wordpress.com Contact: betmeh2 at gmail.com 28