Tag Archives: Genesis 50:5

Sworn to Bury: Oaths, Infinitives, and Politeness Forms in Genesis 50:5

Genesis 50:5 אָבִ֞י הִשְׁבִּיעַ֣נִי לֵאמֹ֗ר הִנֵּ֣ה אָנֹכִי֮ מֵת֒ בְּקִבְרִ֗י אֲשֶׁ֨ר כָּרִ֤יתִי לִי֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ כְּנַ֔עַן שָׁ֖מָּה תִּקְבְּרֵ֑נִי וְעַתָּ֗ה אֶֽעֱלֶה־נָּ֛א וְאֶקְבְּרָ֥ה אֶת־אָבִ֖י וְאָשֽׁוּבָה׃ Oath Introduction: אָבִי הִשְׁבִּיעַנִי לֵאמֹר אָבִי (“my father”) is the subject of the sentence. הִשְׁבִּיעַנִי is a Hiphil perfect 3ms + 1cs suffix of ש־ב־ע (“to make someone swear”), meaning “he caused me to swear.” לֵאמֹר (“saying”) is the infinitive construct introducing direct speech. This formula is common in narrative Hebrew when quoting an oath or divine word. Quoted Oath: הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי מֵת הִנֵּה (“behold”) emphasizes the gravity of the oath.… Learn Hebrew
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