A Critical Engagement with the Biblical Hebrew Verbal System Theories of John Cook and Jan Joosten by Applying Aspect Prominent Theory and Relative Tense Theory to Psalms 1-41

Abstract

Scholars have studied the Biblical Hebrew verbal system for an extended period of time. Over the last 150 years, scholarship on Biblical Hebrew grammar has been in transition. Historically, scholars observed the function of Hebrew verbs through the lens of traditional grammars. Currently, scholars are moving toward the study of Hebrew verbs through the application of complex linguistic methodologies. As a result of advancement and transition, the study of Biblical Hebrew grammar is convoluted. In 2012, John Cook and Jan Joosten each published their own understanding of the function of the Biblical Hebrew verbal system. Through the application of an aspect prominent method, Cook considers the Biblical Hebrew verbal system to primarily express aspect. Joosten approaches the Biblical Hebrew verbal system through the lens of relative tense theory and concludes that Biblical Hebrew is primarily a temporal and modal language. Each scholar establishes their interpretation of verbal function through an observation of the same texts, but each arrives at an opposing conclusion. In this thesis, I provide a review of each scholar's theory. Particular attention is given to the YIQTOL verbal form. Following an exhaustive review, I provide possible criteria that can be used to determine YIQTOL function in real instances in real texts. I take the criteria of each method and apply them to Pss 1-41 as a test case. I provide each method an opportunity to observe YIQTOL's function in Biblical Hebrew poetry. This study reveals that each method can effectively be applied to Biblical Hebrew poetry despite the fact that this genre of literature was the focus of either methodology. While each method is seen to be transferable between literary genres, I highlight instances where either theory could not explain YIQTOL's function.