Chapter 3. The Hebrew And Greek Verb Systems

Abstract

This chapter analyzes the translation of Hebrew verbal forms of Chronicles into Greek and considers the inventory of verb forms of each language, their meaning (e.g., aspect, tense, and Aktionsart), and how they function in the textual-linguistic context. In addition, it mentions historical-linguistic developments in the use of verb forms, particularly within the Hebrew verbal system to account for changes in the use and meaning of Hebrew verb forms in their textual-linguistic contexts. In analyzing the verb systems of the two languages, the verbs are divided into indicatives, participles, infinitives, and volitives. Then the way these verbs function in three types of clauses - main clauses in narration, main clauses in reported speech, and subordinate clauses - are presented for each of the languages. The analysis concludes with a brief comparison of the languages, their similarities and differences, and the appropriateness of certain Greek verb forms for rendering Hebrew forms.Keywords: Chronicles; Greek verb forms; Hebrew verbal forms; historical-linguistic developments; textual-linguistic contexts