Finite infinite? ‘Finite’ Uses of the Biblical Hebrew Infinitive Absolute and their Rationale
This article demonstrates that the majority of senses offered by the infinitive absolute in Biblical Hebrew in its finite-like uses may be explained and mapped by means of typological evolutionary principles that govern the meaning extension of infinitives in languages of the world. In that manner,...
| Authors: | ; |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Oxford University Press
[2014]
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| In: |
Journal of Semitic studies
Year: 2014, Volume: 59, Issue: 2, Pages: 255-296 |
| IxTheo Classification: | HB Old Testament |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (Verlag) Volltext (doi) |
| Summary: | This article demonstrates that the majority of senses offered by the infinitive absolute in Biblical Hebrew in its finite-like uses may be explained and mapped by means of typological evolutionary principles that govern the meaning extension of infinitives in languages of the world. In that manner, the authors posit a map for the finite-like uses of the infinitive absolute, linking them to the original non-finite character of the construction. That is to say, Biblical Hebrew conforms to three cross-linguistically common tendencies and employs its infinitive category (i.e. the infinitive absolute) in the following finite-like functions: deontic function (the infinitive absolute is used as an imperative and generic form), narrative function (it introduces a comment or specification, adds vivacity and functions as a present or past) and exclamatory function (it expresses deliberation and rhetorical questions). Furthermore, the authors argue that the infinitive absolute in its deontic and non-deontic finite-like uses should be viewed as a non-prototypical or ‘intermediate’ category, located between the non-finite and finite edges of the linguistic continuum. |
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| ISSN: | 1477-8556 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal of Semitic studies
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1093/jss/fgu001 |