Counting Adventures in Biblical Hebrew: Typology, Cognition and Cultural Evolution, 2024
In the Semitic languages the cardinals do not form a uniform
sequence. The morphology of “one” an... more In the Semitic languages the cardinals do not form a uniform sequence. The morphology of “one” and “two” differs from that of the numerals from “three” to “ten”, and the morphology of those numerals is different from “eleven” and “twelve,” and from the interval from “thirteen” to “nineteen.” The attraction of the numeral to the quantified nouns likewise indicates complex differences between the various domains. Cognitive and typological considerations, especially in the field of anthropological linguistics, suggest that the differences between the various groups of cardinals represent different stages of social and cultural development, in particular with regard to the socio-economic situation and the role of gender in society.
It is the aim of this chapter to indicate the convergence of the linguistic data and the sociocul... more It is the aim of this chapter to indicate the convergence of the linguistic data and the sociocultural background for many segments in the narratives of the patriarchs and the Exodus, noting the convergence of the cultural hybridity of these narratives that are sometimes close to the Ugaritic epic, and their predominant oral background, as revealed by language usage. Some of the allusions to sociopolitical and geopolitical context dovetail with different periods of the Israelite/Judahite monarchy. Against these features I pointed to the congruence of the language usage of the deuteronomic/ priestly strata and their place in the royal/temple administration. This dialectic interplay of cultural/linguistic contrasts and convergences indicates four main formative stages/strata for pentateuchal literature, to begin with the oral/written, epic stage (ninth/early eighth century).
Windows, Walls, and Terebinths: The -ōn Morph in חַלּוֹנֵינוּ ḥallōnēnū (Jer 9:20) and Beyond, 2023
In this paper, I propose to read the noun חַלּוֹניֵנוּ ḥallōnēnū ‘our windows’, in the
prophetic ... more In this paper, I propose to read the noun חַלּוֹניֵנוּ ḥallōnēnū ‘our windows’, in the prophetic description of the enemy onslaught on Jerusalem (Jer 9:20), as חֵילוֹנ יֵ וּנ ḥēlōnēnū ‘our ramparts’, a form of חֵל/חֵיל ḥēl ‘outer wall, rampart’, with the /ōn/ affix as a plural morph, similar to comparable morphemes found in Akkadian and Aramaic. A similar element may be discerned in אֵלוֹן ʾēlōn ‘terebinth’ as an ‘individualizing’ morph. If you are interested in the printed publication, please let me know, in order that I may send it to you.
Ancient Versions and Enigmatic Valleys Mēšār and Vallis as Equivalents for ʾēlōn, and the “Valley of Hebron”, 2022
This paper constitutes an attempt to analyze two problems: the rendering of Hebrew ,'elon' tere... more This paper constitutes an attempt to analyze two problems: the rendering of Hebrew ,'elon' terebinth, as "valley" (the Targumic tradition, Aquila, and the Vulgate). and the mention of a "valley" near Hebron in a plus of the LXX and the Samaritan Pentateuch. Besides religious sensitivities, Midrashic comments (Gen. Rab.; Sifr. Deut) point to anti-Samaritan polemics, based on Deut 11:30 (where אֵלוֹן and “valley,” עֲרָבָה, meet). In my view, the use of the term “valley” for the precinct at Mamre is related to a particular sensitivity for the position of this region in the Perisan era and beyond, as it belongs to Idumaea, and its religious practice is dominated by non-monotheistic cults (witness Eusebius, Sozomenos). For legal reasons I cannot upload this paper here. If you are interested, you can write me to ask for a copy.
The laqah-natan Formula: Some Additional Comments, 1983
This paper (Hebrew) analyzes the discourse structure of the našû-nadānu formula in Ugaritic legal... more This paper (Hebrew) analyzes the discourse structure of the našû-nadānu formula in Ugaritic legal deeds, and the lāqaḥ-nātan formula in the Hebrew Bible, in which this formula appears in legal, locative and ceremonial context. This formula splits the information into two clauses, so that the našû/lāqaḥ clause indicates agent and object at hand, whereas the second part indicates the beneficiary, or the new location etc. An appendix deals with the function of this formula in Joshua 11:23.
This is the abstract of a Hebrew paper on the use of the našû-nadānu formula, known from Ugarit a... more This is the abstract of a Hebrew paper on the use of the našû-nadānu formula, known from Ugarit and Kanesh in a discourse perspective, and the use of lāqaḥ-nātan in the HB, in legal, locative, and ceremonial contexts. The common factor in these cases is the split up of the information, part of which (the agent, and the object at hand) is mentioned in the first clause, and part of which appears in the second one (the beneficiary, the new location etc.)
The book of Jeremiah contains large sections of texts that represent different literary genres, s... more The book of Jeremiah contains large sections of texts that represent different literary genres, suggest different historical contexts, and reveal different ways of language usage. It is the aim of the present chapter to analyze the linguistic variation by way of a syntactic-stylistic examination, and thus to point to the cultural context of the different text groups, and thereby to their sociohistorical context. If you are interested in this paper, please contact me.
L'A. veut montrer qu'un certain nombre de traits stylistiques de la prose des textes bibl... more L'A. veut montrer qu'un certain nombre de traits stylistiques de la prose des textes bibliques tient a la difference entre la langue orale et la langue ecrite : •l'utilisation des propositions subordonnees (hypotaxe), •la longueur des suites de noms, •le nombre des constituants syntaxiques explicites dans les propositions, •la frequence de la reference par les pronoms et les particules deictiques
Syntactic-stylistic analysis of the linguistic variation in the book of Jeremiah points to the cu... more Syntactic-stylistic analysis of the linguistic variation in the book of Jeremiah points to the cultural/sociohistorical context of the different text groups. The poignant, emotional style of Jeremianic poetry (Mowinckel’s A corpus) is marked by the often extremely high frequency of short clauses, and the low incidence of subordinate clauses and noun groups (similarly in most texts in Jeremiah 30–31; 46–51). These features characterize the “lean, brisk style” of spontaneous spoken discourse/oral literature. Noun groups and subordinate clauses are highly frequent in the narrative corpus (B) and parenetic prose (C), whereas short clauses are far less frequent, as characteristic of the “intricate, elaborate style” of written texts. Where these corpora reflect the scribal desk, corpus A is close to the oral arena. Detailed analysis shows, however, that all corpora are open-ended. These considerations suggest an initial oral-written symbiosis in the prophetic performance and the commissio...
In biblical narrative the function of the circumstantial clause (CiCl), para-tactically linked in... more In biblical narrative the function of the circumstantial clause (CiCl), para-tactically linked in to the core clause, differs significantly from the role of a circumstantial modifier within the clause. As a clause, the CiCl presents its main information in an independent focus separated from the focus of the core clause, unlike the modifier within a core clause. Within the development of the discourse the CiCl as a non-sequential element halts the progress of the event sequence in which it appears (often described as foreground), and thus is highlighted vis-à-vis the narrative traject. In particular , the CiCl often serves as a trigger for further developments, rather than as mere supportive digression. One of the outstanding features of the CiCl is the lack of any indication of its logical connection to the core clause. Thus the pragmatic role of the CiCl can be characterized as highlighted , pregnant indeterminacy, suggestive of or preparatory for the continuation of the narrative. In Hebrew biblical narrative circumstantial clauses (CiCl), para-tactically conjoined to a clause that presents the 'main' information, have a major role to play. In a general linguistic perspective Halliday and Matthiessen (2004, 379) define such clauses as 'enhancement', adding information to the 'primary' or 'main' clause to which they are appended. Similarly, Dixon (2009, 4-6) speaks of a supportive role as against the focal role of the nucleus/primary clause which is thus regarded as foreground, whereas the CiCl is viewed as background. Nev
Counting Adventures in Biblical Hebrew: Typology, Cognition and Cultural Evolution, 2024
In the Semitic languages the cardinals do not form a uniform
sequence. The morphology of “one” an... more In the Semitic languages the cardinals do not form a uniform sequence. The morphology of “one” and “two” differs from that of the numerals from “three” to “ten”, and the morphology of those numerals is different from “eleven” and “twelve,” and from the interval from “thirteen” to “nineteen.” The attraction of the numeral to the quantified nouns likewise indicates complex differences between the various domains. Cognitive and typological considerations, especially in the field of anthropological linguistics, suggest that the differences between the various groups of cardinals represent different stages of social and cultural development, in particular with regard to the socio-economic situation and the role of gender in society.
It is the aim of this chapter to indicate the convergence of the linguistic data and the sociocul... more It is the aim of this chapter to indicate the convergence of the linguistic data and the sociocultural background for many segments in the narratives of the patriarchs and the Exodus, noting the convergence of the cultural hybridity of these narratives that are sometimes close to the Ugaritic epic, and their predominant oral background, as revealed by language usage. Some of the allusions to sociopolitical and geopolitical context dovetail with different periods of the Israelite/Judahite monarchy. Against these features I pointed to the congruence of the language usage of the deuteronomic/ priestly strata and their place in the royal/temple administration. This dialectic interplay of cultural/linguistic contrasts and convergences indicates four main formative stages/strata for pentateuchal literature, to begin with the oral/written, epic stage (ninth/early eighth century).
Windows, Walls, and Terebinths: The -ōn Morph in חַלּוֹנֵינוּ ḥallōnēnū (Jer 9:20) and Beyond, 2023
In this paper, I propose to read the noun חַלּוֹניֵנוּ ḥallōnēnū ‘our windows’, in the
prophetic ... more In this paper, I propose to read the noun חַלּוֹניֵנוּ ḥallōnēnū ‘our windows’, in the prophetic description of the enemy onslaught on Jerusalem (Jer 9:20), as חֵילוֹנ יֵ וּנ ḥēlōnēnū ‘our ramparts’, a form of חֵל/חֵיל ḥēl ‘outer wall, rampart’, with the /ōn/ affix as a plural morph, similar to comparable morphemes found in Akkadian and Aramaic. A similar element may be discerned in אֵלוֹן ʾēlōn ‘terebinth’ as an ‘individualizing’ morph. If you are interested in the printed publication, please let me know, in order that I may send it to you.
Ancient Versions and Enigmatic Valleys Mēšār and Vallis as Equivalents for ʾēlōn, and the “Valley of Hebron”, 2022
This paper constitutes an attempt to analyze two problems: the rendering of Hebrew ,'elon' tere... more This paper constitutes an attempt to analyze two problems: the rendering of Hebrew ,'elon' terebinth, as "valley" (the Targumic tradition, Aquila, and the Vulgate). and the mention of a "valley" near Hebron in a plus of the LXX and the Samaritan Pentateuch. Besides religious sensitivities, Midrashic comments (Gen. Rab.; Sifr. Deut) point to anti-Samaritan polemics, based on Deut 11:30 (where אֵלוֹן and “valley,” עֲרָבָה, meet). In my view, the use of the term “valley” for the precinct at Mamre is related to a particular sensitivity for the position of this region in the Perisan era and beyond, as it belongs to Idumaea, and its religious practice is dominated by non-monotheistic cults (witness Eusebius, Sozomenos). For legal reasons I cannot upload this paper here. If you are interested, you can write me to ask for a copy.
The laqah-natan Formula: Some Additional Comments, 1983
This paper (Hebrew) analyzes the discourse structure of the našû-nadānu formula in Ugaritic legal... more This paper (Hebrew) analyzes the discourse structure of the našû-nadānu formula in Ugaritic legal deeds, and the lāqaḥ-nātan formula in the Hebrew Bible, in which this formula appears in legal, locative and ceremonial context. This formula splits the information into two clauses, so that the našû/lāqaḥ clause indicates agent and object at hand, whereas the second part indicates the beneficiary, or the new location etc. An appendix deals with the function of this formula in Joshua 11:23.
This is the abstract of a Hebrew paper on the use of the našû-nadānu formula, known from Ugarit a... more This is the abstract of a Hebrew paper on the use of the našû-nadānu formula, known from Ugarit and Kanesh in a discourse perspective, and the use of lāqaḥ-nātan in the HB, in legal, locative, and ceremonial contexts. The common factor in these cases is the split up of the information, part of which (the agent, and the object at hand) is mentioned in the first clause, and part of which appears in the second one (the beneficiary, the new location etc.)
The book of Jeremiah contains large sections of texts that represent different literary genres, s... more The book of Jeremiah contains large sections of texts that represent different literary genres, suggest different historical contexts, and reveal different ways of language usage. It is the aim of the present chapter to analyze the linguistic variation by way of a syntactic-stylistic examination, and thus to point to the cultural context of the different text groups, and thereby to their sociohistorical context. If you are interested in this paper, please contact me.
L'A. veut montrer qu'un certain nombre de traits stylistiques de la prose des textes bibl... more L'A. veut montrer qu'un certain nombre de traits stylistiques de la prose des textes bibliques tient a la difference entre la langue orale et la langue ecrite : •l'utilisation des propositions subordonnees (hypotaxe), •la longueur des suites de noms, •le nombre des constituants syntaxiques explicites dans les propositions, •la frequence de la reference par les pronoms et les particules deictiques
Syntactic-stylistic analysis of the linguistic variation in the book of Jeremiah points to the cu... more Syntactic-stylistic analysis of the linguistic variation in the book of Jeremiah points to the cultural/sociohistorical context of the different text groups. The poignant, emotional style of Jeremianic poetry (Mowinckel’s A corpus) is marked by the often extremely high frequency of short clauses, and the low incidence of subordinate clauses and noun groups (similarly in most texts in Jeremiah 30–31; 46–51). These features characterize the “lean, brisk style” of spontaneous spoken discourse/oral literature. Noun groups and subordinate clauses are highly frequent in the narrative corpus (B) and parenetic prose (C), whereas short clauses are far less frequent, as characteristic of the “intricate, elaborate style” of written texts. Where these corpora reflect the scribal desk, corpus A is close to the oral arena. Detailed analysis shows, however, that all corpora are open-ended. These considerations suggest an initial oral-written symbiosis in the prophetic performance and the commissio...
In biblical narrative the function of the circumstantial clause (CiCl), para-tactically linked in... more In biblical narrative the function of the circumstantial clause (CiCl), para-tactically linked in to the core clause, differs significantly from the role of a circumstantial modifier within the clause. As a clause, the CiCl presents its main information in an independent focus separated from the focus of the core clause, unlike the modifier within a core clause. Within the development of the discourse the CiCl as a non-sequential element halts the progress of the event sequence in which it appears (often described as foreground), and thus is highlighted vis-à-vis the narrative traject. In particular , the CiCl often serves as a trigger for further developments, rather than as mere supportive digression. One of the outstanding features of the CiCl is the lack of any indication of its logical connection to the core clause. Thus the pragmatic role of the CiCl can be characterized as highlighted , pregnant indeterminacy, suggestive of or preparatory for the continuation of the narrative. In Hebrew biblical narrative circumstantial clauses (CiCl), para-tactically conjoined to a clause that presents the 'main' information, have a major role to play. In a general linguistic perspective Halliday and Matthiessen (2004, 379) define such clauses as 'enhancement', adding information to the 'primary' or 'main' clause to which they are appended. Similarly, Dixon (2009, 4-6) speaks of a supportive role as against the focal role of the nucleus/primary clause which is thus regarded as foreground, whereas the CiCl is viewed as background. Nev
This is my Hebrew PhD Thesis, written a long time ago, but still relevant. In the view of literar... more This is my Hebrew PhD Thesis, written a long time ago, but still relevant. In the view of literary insights along the lines of New Criticism (מאיר וייס, מקרא כדמותו), I point to a large number of stylistic and rhetorical features (both macro- and microstructural) that indicate large scale continuity and integration, indicating a broad literary composition, encompassing, grosso modo, chapters 1-4, 9:1-10:16; 13:3-15:35, with preparing the ground for the David tales, to begin with 16:1-13; 17:1-18:5. Features indicating disunity show that chapters 5-8, 10:17-13:2 represent redactional interference.
The Main Strand in the First Book of Samuel 1-15, 1984
This is the English Abstract of my Hebrew PhD thesis, written a long time ago, but still very rel... more This is the English Abstract of my Hebrew PhD thesis, written a long time ago, but still very relevant as it combines literary insights, along the lines of New Criticism (Meir Weiss), and redaction critical techniques, in order to reveal macro- and microstructural features of continuity and integration, pointing to large scale plot coherence, and indications on disunity, pointing to redactional intervention. The Main Strand is shown to include chapters 1-4; 9:1-10:16; 13:3-15:35, with redactional interference in ch. 5-8; 10:17-13:2 (and a number of small details).
This book is the outcome of the International Symposium on Clause Linking in Semitic Languages, K... more This book is the outcome of the International Symposium on Clause Linking in Semitic Languages, Kivik, Sweden, 5-7 August 2012. A strong incentive for the symposium was the renewed interest, in recent years, in the nature of non-main clause linking. Current research has brought into focus the concept of a main line and digressions from the main line in various discourse types. The conference invited papers on all related topics with emphasis on “ways of combining clauses other than through relative clause and complement clause constructions”.
The editors are proud to present this original research for the first time to the international audience.
Contents of the volume:
Clause linking in Arabic dialects
Heléne Kammensjö: Circumstantial Clause Combining in Oral Egyptian Arabic: A preliminary report covering aspects of asyndesis and auxiliation
Maria Persson: Non-Main Clause Linking and Verb Form Switch in Syrian Arabic: Is there a circumstantial clause?
Clause linking in written Arabic
Hans Lagerqvist: Convergent Syntax in Modern Standard Arabic: Indefinite relative clauses and asyndetic ḥāl clauses
Michal Marmorstein: Verbal Syntax and Textual Structure in Classical Arabic Prose
Clause linking in Biblical Hebrew
Gregor Geiger: Constructions which Precede the wayyiqṭōl Chain in Biblical Hebrew
Bo Isaksson: Archaic Biblical Hebrew Poetry: The Linking of Finite Clauses
Reinhard G. Lehmann: “Since, while and whilst I am a poor man.” The Legacy of Diethelm Michel’s Nominal-Clause Syntax as Applied to a Wider Field of 1st Millennium BCE Northwest Semitic
Alviero Niccacci: Background Constructions inside the Main Line in Biblical Hebrew
Frank Polak: The Circumstantial Clause as Trigger: Syntax, discourse and plot structure in biblical narrative
Clause linking in Ethio-Semitic
Lutz Edzard: Complex predicates and Circumstantial Clause Combining (CCC): Serial Verbs and Converbs in a Comparative Semitic Perspective
Clause linking in East Semitic
Eran Cohen: The Domain: A Formal Syntactic Unit Above Sentence Level
From Amsterdam to Jerusalem and Back Again. Studying in Amsterdam with Professor M. A. Beer
The "Amsterdamse school" (Amsterdam school) is named after a group of Dutch theologians, working ... more The "Amsterdamse school" (Amsterdam school) is named after a group of Dutch theologians, working at the University of Amsterdam in the 1960s, including Martinus A. Beek, Liet van Daalen, Karel Deurloo, and Frans Breukelman.They are known, among others, for their holistic and synchronic approach to the biblical text as a text and to its stylistic peculiarities. This paper centers on my encounter with Beer and his approach, and evaluate the contribution of this scholol in the light of subsequent developments in literary theory. .
The communal prayer in Nehemiah 9 forms a speech act sui generis: an opening with the praise of t... more The communal prayer in Nehemiah 9 forms a speech act sui generis: an opening with the praise of the deity is followed by a historical retrospection, from the promise to Abraham until the conquest of the land by the Assyrians and their imperial successors, in order to conclude with a lament about the distress of the speaker’s present, the Persian era. In the present paper I want to defend three theses. (1) The ending, which utters a complaint, amounts to an implicit request of redemption from the foreign domination; (2) the preceding hymnic opening and historical retrospection serve to point to the request that is not uttered explicitly; (3) by the same token, these sections are to instill hope in the community of Yehud in spite of the present predicament. The methodical principles by which I want to underpin these theses, are those of pragmatics and speech act theory.
Uploads
Papers by Frank H. Polak
sequence. The morphology of “one” and “two” differs from that of
the numerals from “three” to “ten”, and the morphology of those
numerals is different from “eleven” and “twelve,” and from the
interval from “thirteen” to “nineteen.” The attraction of the
numeral to the quantified nouns likewise indicates complex
differences between the various domains. Cognitive and typological
considerations, especially in the field of anthropological linguistics,
suggest that the differences between the various groups of cardinals
represent different stages of social and cultural development, in
particular with regard to the socio-economic situation and the role
of gender in society.
prophetic description of the enemy onslaught on Jerusalem (Jer 9:20), as חֵילוֹנ יֵ וּנ ḥēlōnēnū ‘our ramparts’, a form of חֵל/חֵיל ḥēl ‘outer wall, rampart’, with the /ōn/ affix as a plural morph, similar to comparable morphemes found in Akkadian and Aramaic. A similar element may be discerned in אֵלוֹן ʾēlōn ‘terebinth’ as an ‘individualizing’ morph. If you are interested in the printed publication, please let me know, in order that I may send it to you.
For legal reasons I cannot upload this paper here. If you are interested, you can write me to ask for a copy.
If you are interested in this paper, please contact me.
sequence. The morphology of “one” and “two” differs from that of
the numerals from “three” to “ten”, and the morphology of those
numerals is different from “eleven” and “twelve,” and from the
interval from “thirteen” to “nineteen.” The attraction of the
numeral to the quantified nouns likewise indicates complex
differences between the various domains. Cognitive and typological
considerations, especially in the field of anthropological linguistics,
suggest that the differences between the various groups of cardinals
represent different stages of social and cultural development, in
particular with regard to the socio-economic situation and the role
of gender in society.
prophetic description of the enemy onslaught on Jerusalem (Jer 9:20), as חֵילוֹנ יֵ וּנ ḥēlōnēnū ‘our ramparts’, a form of חֵל/חֵיל ḥēl ‘outer wall, rampart’, with the /ōn/ affix as a plural morph, similar to comparable morphemes found in Akkadian and Aramaic. A similar element may be discerned in אֵלוֹן ʾēlōn ‘terebinth’ as an ‘individualizing’ morph. If you are interested in the printed publication, please let me know, in order that I may send it to you.
For legal reasons I cannot upload this paper here. If you are interested, you can write me to ask for a copy.
If you are interested in this paper, please contact me.
The editors are proud to present this original research for the first time to the international audience.
Contents of the volume:
Clause linking in Arabic dialects
Heléne Kammensjö: Circumstantial Clause Combining in Oral Egyptian Arabic: A preliminary report covering aspects of asyndesis and auxiliation
Maria Persson: Non-Main Clause Linking and Verb Form Switch in Syrian Arabic: Is there a circumstantial clause?
Clause linking in written Arabic
Hans Lagerqvist: Convergent Syntax in Modern Standard Arabic: Indefinite relative clauses and asyndetic ḥāl clauses
Michal Marmorstein: Verbal Syntax and Textual Structure in Classical Arabic Prose
Clause linking in Biblical Hebrew
Gregor Geiger: Constructions which Precede the wayyiqṭōl Chain in Biblical Hebrew
Bo Isaksson: Archaic Biblical Hebrew Poetry: The Linking of Finite Clauses
Reinhard G. Lehmann: “Since, while and whilst I am a poor man.” The Legacy of Diethelm Michel’s Nominal-Clause Syntax as Applied to a Wider Field of 1st Millennium BCE Northwest Semitic
Alviero Niccacci: Background Constructions inside the Main Line in Biblical Hebrew
Frank Polak: The Circumstantial Clause as Trigger: Syntax, discourse and plot structure in biblical narrative
Clause linking in Ethio-Semitic
Lutz Edzard: Complex predicates and Circumstantial Clause Combining (CCC): Serial Verbs and Converbs in a Comparative Semitic Perspective
Clause linking in East Semitic
Eran Cohen: The Domain: A Formal Syntactic Unit Above Sentence Level
This paper centers on my encounter with Beer and his approach, and evaluate the contribution of this scholol in the light of subsequent developments in literary theory.
.
(1) The ending, which utters a complaint, amounts to an implicit request of redemption from the foreign domination;
(2) the preceding hymnic opening and historical retrospection serve to point to the request that is not uttered explicitly;
(3) by the same token, these sections are to instill hope in the community of Yehud in spite of the present predicament.
The methodical principles by which I want to underpin these theses, are those of pragmatics and speech act theory.