1 Samuel 27:11 in Hebrew
וְאִ֨ישׁ וְאִשָּׁ֜ה לֹֽא־יְחַיֶּ֣ה דָוִ֗ד לְהָבִ֥יא גַת֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר פֶּן־יַגִּ֥דוּ עָלֵ֖ינוּ לֵאמֹ֑ר כֹּֽה־עָשָׂ֤ה דָוִד֙ וְכֹ֣ה מִשְׁפָּטֹ֔ו כָּל־הַ֨יָּמִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָשַׁ֖ב בִּשְׂדֵ֥ה פְלִשְׁתִּֽים׃
Introduction to the Verse
1 Samuel 27:11 contains a Hiphil imperfect verb, which is key to understanding David’s actions and intentions. The verb יְחַיֶּ֣ה (yəḥayyêh) appears in the Hiphil stem, indicating causation.
Understanding the Hiphil Imperfect in יְחַיֶּ֣ה
1. What is the Hiphil Imperfect?
– The Hiphil stem is one of the seven binyanim (verbal stems) in Biblical Hebrew.
– It expresses causative action, meaning the subject causes something to happen.
– The imperfect form indicates an action that is ongoing, habitual, or intentional.
2. יְחַיֶּ֣ה (Yəḥayyêh) – “Would Let Live”
– This verb comes from the root ח־י־ה (ḥ-y-h), meaning “to live” or “to give life.”
– In the Hiphil, it means “to let live” or “to keep alive.”
– The imperfect form (יְחַיֶּ֣ה) indicates a repeated or habitual action, meaning David never allowed anyone to live.
3. How the Hiphil Imperfect Functions in This Verse
– The phrase וְאִ֨ישׁ וְאִשָּׁ֜ה לֹֽא־יְחַיֶּ֣ה דָוִד means “David would not let a man or a woman live.”
– The use of Hiphil imperfect emphasizes that this was David’s consistent practice.
– It was not a single event but an ongoing policy during his time in Philistine territory.
The Function of the Hiphil Imperfect in Biblical Hebrew
1. Causative Action
– The Hiphil stem indicates that David actively ensured that no survivors remained.
– The verb does not simply state that people died but rather that David deliberately caused their deaths.
2. Habitual Action
– The imperfect aspect shows that this was a recurring action, not an isolated event.
– This is reinforced by כָּל־הַ֨יָּמִ֔ים (“all the days”), emphasizing that this was David’s standard practice.
The Role of the Hiphil Imperfect in 1 Samuel 27:11
The verb יְחַיֶּ֣ה in 1 Samuel 27:11 is a Hiphil imperfect form, indicating that David actively and consistently ensured that no survivors remained.
– The Hiphil expresses deliberate causation—David made sure no one was left alive.
– The imperfect form shows that this was an ongoing and habitual practice.
By using the Hiphil imperfect, the verse conveys David’s strategic and consistent actions while living among the Philistines.
