supported by the rather numerous examples of cohortative forms after wāw consec. of the imperfect (cf. § 49 e, as also ψ 66 שָׁם נִשְׂמְחָה there did we rejoice[1]; ψ 119 וָֽאֲתַעֵ֑בָה; Pr 7), which can likewise only be explained as forms chosen merely for euphony, and therefore due to considerations of rhythm.
[h] 2. The cohortative is strange after עַד־ ψ 73 until I went... אָבִ֫ינָה I considered their latter end; possibly a pregnant construction for ‘until I made up my mind, saying, I will consider’, &c. (but אָבִ֫ינָה Pr 7 is still dependent on the preceding וָ); עַד־אַרְגִּ֫יעָה Pr 12 is at any rate to be explained in the same way (in Jer 49, 50 we have כִּי־א׳ with a similar meaning), as long as I (intentionally) wink with the eyelashes (shall wink). On the other hand, in Ex 32 אֲכַפֵּר is to be read, with the Samaritan, instead of אֲכַפְּרָה after אוּלַי.
[a] As the cohortative is used in the 1st pers., so the jussive is especially found in the 2nd and 3rd pers. sing. and plur. to express a more or less definite desire that something should or should not happen (cf. for its form, which frequently coincides with that of the ordinary imperfect,[2] § 48 f, g). More particularly its uses may be distinguished as follows:
1. The jussive standing alone, or co-ordinated with another jussive:
[b] (b) In affirmative sentences to express a command, a wish (or a blessing), advice, or a request; in the last case (the optative or precative) it is frequently strengthened by the addition of נָא. Examples: Gn 1 יְהִי אוֹר let there be light! Gn 1, 9, 11, &c. (the creative commands); Nu 6 the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace! cf. verse 25. After particles expressing a wish, Gn 30 לוּ יְהִי I would it might be; ψ 81 אִם־תִּשְׁמַע־לִי if thou wouldest hearken unto me! As a humble request, Gn 44... יֵֽשֶׁב־נָא עַבְדְּךָ... וְהַנַּ֫עַי יַ֫עַל let thy servant, I pray thee, abide, &c., and let the lad go up, &c., Gn 47.
[c] (b) In negative sentences to express prohibition or dissuasion, warning, a negative wish (or imprecation), and a request. The prohibitive particle used before the jussive (according to § 107 o) is almost always אַל־ (in negative desires and requests frequently
- ↑ Analogous to this cohortative (as equivalent to the imperfect) after שָׁם is the use of the historic imperf. after אָז, § 107 c.
- ↑ With regard to verbs ל״ה, it is true that the full form of the imperfect is frequently used with the meaning of the jussive (as also for the cohortative, see § 108 a, note 2), e.g. אַל־יִרְאֶה Jb 3 (but previously יְקַו let it look for!):especially in (Neh 2) and immediately before the principal pause, Gn 1 תֵּֽרָאֶה; Ju 6 יִהְֽיֶה, but previously יְהִי־נָא; Is 47 תֵּֽרָאֶה, previously תִּגָּל; ψ 109. On the attempt to distinguish such jussives from the imperfect by means of a special meaning ־ֵה, see § 75 hh.
