[y] Rem. 1. Very frequently the announcement of a future event is attached by means of וְהָיָה[1] and it shall come to pass (cf. the analogous continuation in the past by means of וַיְהִי, § 111, 2), after which the event announced (sometimes after a long parenthesis) follows in one or more (co-ordinate) perfects consecutive, Gn 9, 12 (וְהָיָה כִי=if, as in 46:33, Ex 1, 22 and frequently), 1 K 18, Is 14 f., Am 8; or in the imperfect, Gn 4, Is 2, 3, 4, 7, 21 ff. (cf. 29:8); or in the jussive, Lv 14. It very rarely happens that the verb which is thus loosely added, agrees in gender and number with the following subject, as in Nu 5, Jer 42 וְהָֽיְתָה (before הַחֶ֫רֶב), and in Jer 42 וְיִהְיוּ (before כָּל־הָֽאֲנָשִׁים).
[z] 2. The jussive form וִיהִי occurs (in the sense described in y) instead of וְהָיָה in 1 S 10, 2 S 5 (1 Ch 14), 1 K 14, Ru 3, although in the first three places a jussive is wholly inadmissible in the context, and even in Ru 3 (where an admonition follows) וְהָיָה would be expected (see below, bb). In 1 K 14 the form is a textual error, and the pointing should simply be וַיְהִי. In the other passages ויהי (always before an infinitive with a preposition) stands at the beginning of the sentence at an unusually long distance from the principal tone, and hence is certainly to be explained according to § 109 k, except that in 1 S 10, &c., the simply rhythmical jussive form takes the place, not of the full imperfect form, but (exceptionally) of the perfect consecutive.
[aa] (b) To introduce a command or wish: Dt 10 love ye therefore the stranger; 1 S 6, 24, 1 K 2 (in Gn 40 the precative perfect consecutive, as elsewhere the cohortative, jussive, and imperative, is strengthened by means of נָא). So, also, in loose connexion with participial and other noun-clauses (see above, x), Gn 45 f., 1 K 2 f., Ru 3 f., 3:9.—In Gn 17 the perfect consecutive (וּנְמַלְתֶּם and ye shall be circumcised, &c.) is used to explain a preceding command.
[bb] Rem. As in the cases mentioned above under y, the connexion may be made by means of וְהָיָה. Thus with a following perfect consecutive, e.g. Gn 46, 47, Ju 4. Cf. also Gn 24, where the real wish, at least as regards the sense, is contained in the next sentence.
[cc] (c) To introduce a question, whether in loose connexion with another interrogative sentence (see above, p), e.g. Gn 29 art thou my brother (equivalent to, Surely thou art), וַֽעֲבַדְתַּ֫נִי and shouldest thou then serve me for naught? or with a positive statement, e.g. Ex 5 (וְהִשְׁבַּתֶּם will ye then make them rest?); Nu 16, 1 S 25, and (if it is Mileraʿ) ψ 50 (וְהֶֽהֱרַשְׁתִּי).
[dd] (d) To introduce actions frequently repeated hence analogous to the numerous examples of a frequentative perfect consecutive, above, under e), e.g. 1 S 1 (וְעָלָה of annual festival journeys); 13:21 (where, however, the text appears radically corrupt); 27:9 (וְהִכָּה, i.e. every time, therefore continued by means of וְלֹא יְחַיֶּה); 1 K 5 (וְכִלְכְּלוּ,
- ↑ On the various combinations with וָהָיָה see König’s statistics in ZAW. xix. 272 ff.
