Analyzing זֶה Grammar and Reading זֶה Texts of Ps 68:9 and Judg 5:5

Authors

  • Robert D. Holmstedt University of Toronto

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5508/jhs.2014.v14.a8

Abstract

The grammar of ancient Hebrew זֶה straightforwardly accords to cross-linguistically attested patterns of demonstratives. זֶה and its feminine singular and common plural counterparts function primarily as deictic pronouns or deictic nominal modifiers. A small set of examples indicate that some stage of Hebrew witnessed the grammaticalization of זֶה as a relative marker and a copular pronoun. However, for over a century, another function of זֶה has been proposed and become entrenched within Hebrew grammatical analysis—that זֶה follows other Semitic languages in functioning as a “genitive” marker. By addressing all the relevant data, including the two most commonly cited examples of a “genitive” זֶה, Ps 68:9 and Judg 5:5, as well as the comparative Semitic argument, I demonstrate that there are no cogent reasons for assigning to זֶה the role of a “genitive” marker.

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Published

2014-01-01

How to Cite

Holmstedt, R. D. (2014). Analyzing זֶה Grammar and Reading זֶה Texts of Ps 68:9 and Judg 5:5. The Journal of Hebrew Scriptures, 14. https://doi.org/10.5508/jhs.2014.v14.a8

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Articles