The cir. cl. differs from acc. of condition (§ 70) in being a proposition. It forms a real predication, subordinate to the principal sent. in meaning but co-ordinate in construction. Though often corresponding to the classical absolute cases the construction is different.
The cir. cl. may be nominal or verbal, though it is chiefly nominal, and even when verbal the order or words is that of the nominal sent. (§ 103). In such a clause the subj. is naturally prominent, hence it stands first, the order being — vav, subj., pred. This simple vav may need to be rendered variously, as if, while, when, seeing, though, with a verb, or with before a noun. Besides the and a pron. referring back to the subj. of the principal sent. usually connects the clauses (see exx. below). Occasionally the subj. is repeated from the main clause, Deu. 9:15 and the mountain, Gen. 18:17, 18, Jud. 8:11, 1 K. 8:14.
§ 138. (a) The cir. cl. may be nominal. Gen. 11:4 נִבְנֶה מִגְדָּל וְרֹאשׁוֹ בַשָּׁמַיִם let us build a tower with its head in the heavens. 24:15 behold Rebecca יֹצֵאת וְכַדָּהּ עַל־שִׁכְמָהּ coming out with her pitcher on her shoulder (lit. and her pitcher was, &c.). 1 S. 18:23 הַנְקַלָּה הִתְחַתֵּן בַּמֶּלֶךְ וְאָֽנֹכִי אִישׁ־רָשׁ is it a light thing to be son-in-law of the king when I am a poor man? Jer. 2:37 תֵּֽצְאִי וְיָדַיִךְ עַל־ראֹשֵׁךְ thou shalt come out with thy hands upon thy head. Gen. 18:12, 27; 20:3; 24:10; 37:2; 44:26, 30, Jos. 17:14, Jud. 19:27, Hos. 6:4, Jer. 2:11, Am. 3:4–6.
(b) Naturally the graphic ptcp. is much used in such descriptive clauses. Is. 6:1 I saw Adonai sitting וִשׁוּלָיו מְלֵאִים אֶת־הַֽהֵיכָל with his train filling the temple. 1 S. 4:12 וַיָּֽרָץ אִישׁ וּמַדָּיו קְרֻעִים there ran a man with his garments rent. Gen. 15:2 מַה־תִּתֶּן־לִי וְאָֽנֹכִי הוֹלֵךְ עֲרִירִי seeing I go childless? Is. 53:7 נִגַּשׂ וְהוּא נַֽעֲנָה he was oppressed, though he was submissive; cf. v. 12 though (while) he bore. Is. 11:6 a little child leading them. Gen. 14:13;
