Judges 4:20
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלֶ֔יהָ עֲמֹ֖ד פֶּ֣תַח הָאֹ֑הֶל וְהָיָה֩ אִם־אִ֨ישׁ יָבֹ֜וא וּשְׁאֵלֵ֗ךְ וְאָמַ֛ר הֲיֵֽשׁ־פֹּ֥ה אִ֖ישׁ וְאָמַ֥רְתְּ אָֽיִן׃
Focus on Imperatives: עֲמֹ֖ד
The word עֲמֹד is the imperative masculine singular form of the root ע־מ־ד, meaning “to stand.” Here, it is a direct command: “Stand!” or more idiomatically, “Stand at the entrance!” Imperatives in Biblical Hebrew vary by gender and number, and in this case, a masculine form is used even though the speaker addresses a woman — an example of formality or grammatical default in certain narrative contexts.
The Wayyiqtol Chain: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר is a classic example of the *wayyiqtol* form (vav-consecutive + imperfect), used to indicate sequential action. It derives from the root א־מ־ר (“to say”) and implies “And he said.” This narrative form is a hallmark of Biblical Hebrew storytelling, creating a flow of past actions. The chain continues with other wayyiqtol forms like יָבֹ֜וא and שְׁאֵלֵ֗ךְ.
Conditional Clauses: וְהָיָה אִם
The phrase וְהָיָה אִם is a common structure introducing conditional statements: “and it shall be if…” The verb וְהָיָה is the vav-consecutive form of הָיָה (“to be”), projecting the condition into the future. The clause that follows (אִ֨ישׁ יָבֹ֜וא) completes the condition — “if a man comes.” This structure signals both possibility and impending consequence, often seen in laws and instructions.
Interrogatives and Negation: הֲיֵֽשׁ־פֹּ֥ה אִ֖ישׁ… אָֽיִן
The interrogative הֲיֵֽשׁ־פֹּ֥ה אִ֖ישׁ asks, “Is there a man here?” — combining the existential particle יֵשׁ with location (פֹּה) and subject (אִישׁ). The expected response is the emphatic negation אָֽיִן, meaning “There is not.” The use of אָמַ֥רְתְּ אָֽיִן (“you shall say, ‘There is not’”) conveys deception through grammatical simplicity — a flat denial made in a grammatically complete but terse form.
Mood Shift: Jussive and Volitional Verbs
Within the conditional structure, verbs like יָבֹ֜וא and וְאָמַ֥רְתְּ are examples of volitional or jussive forms — conveying what *should* or *might* happen. The mood expresses uncertainty or command within hypothetical circumstances. These subtleties give Hebrew rich expressive power, capturing nuances in speech, narrative tension, or ethical tone.
Parsing Table: Key Verb Forms in the Verse
| Hebrew Verb | Root | Form | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| וַיֹּאמֶר | א־מ־ר | Wayyiqtol (3ms) | Sequential narrative past: “And he said” |
| עֲמֹד | ע־מ־ד | Imperative (2ms) | Command: “Stand!” |
| יָבֹוא | ב־ו־א | Imperfect/Jussive (3ms) | Volitional future: “If a man comes” |
| וְאָמַרְתְּ | א־מ־ר | Perfect (2fs) | Future-like instruction: “you shall say” |
The Grammar of Evasion
This verse from Judges is more than dialogue — it is a crafted command involving deception, conditional logic, and future scenarios. The grammar sets the stage for subtle moral tension: imperative verbs express urgency, while conditional structures create a cloak of ambiguity. The very syntax of Hebrew here participates in the concealment, shaping how we interpret intent and action. In this way, grammar itself becomes a tool of the narrative — a linguistic veil drawn across the tent’s entrance.
