On the Character of the Rabbinic Hebrew Verbal System

Abstract:This article examines the character of the verbal system in Rabbinic Hebrew. Based on a discussion of the difference between absolute and relative tense, it is argued that the verb forms in Rabbinic Hebrew cannot be described as absolute tenses. This is in contrast to the conventional view still espoused by many scholars whose area of expertise is Biblical Hebrew, according to which the Hebrew verbal system evolved from aspect prominence to a system of absolute tense. Several passages from the rabbinic literature serve to show that qatal, yiqtol, the participle, and even the construction [inline-graphic 01] plus infinitive occur in various time frames and must be seen as relative tenses. In line with recent studies on the rabbinic verbs, it is argued that aspect also plays a major role in the system. Indeed, in contrast to the standard view, it must be concluded that Rabbinic Hebrew is more aspect-prominent than earlier phases of the language. The final part of the article briefly discusses the widespread view that early grammarians invariably described Biblical Hebrew in terms of absolute tense and it is argued that the views of early scholars were in fact much more complex.