1. This study is based on the relatively homogeneous corpus of narrative formed by the books of Judges, Samuel, and Kings. The study of compound subjects in this corpus is restricted to those representing human beings, and to those of which one component is singular. Where a compound (as defined here) acts as subject of a verbal clause, the verb may precede or follow the compound subject; it may be singular or plural in either position.' It is argued here that the position of the verb, and its number, is deliberately chosen in accordance with the function of the clause, and of its subject, in the narrative context. That is, this article is based on the view that concord in Biblical Hebrew is not simply a means of marking grammatical relationship. Where variation is possible, it is used in a manner similar to the use of the pronouns tu and vous in French. The variations, contrasting with the simple grammatical basis of concord, are used to add expressive content to the narrative.