cedent is determined; and (b) the attributive or descriptive sent., as Gen. 49:27 Benj. is זְאֵב יִטְרָף a wolf which ravins (a ravining w.), in which the antecedent is indefinite. In the former class of sentences the word אשׁר is expressed, in the descriptive and circumstantial sentences it is omitted. But the language does not strictly adhere to either side of the rule, e.g. Jer. 13:20 אַיֵּה הָעֵדֶר נִתַּן־לָךְ where is the flock that was committed to thee? Ex. 18:20. The omission of אשׁר where it should stand occurs mostly in poetry and elevated style. On omission of retrospective pron. cf. § 9 seq. In the following cases of omission of אשׁר it can be noted whether the omission be according to the rule a. b. above, or not.
§ 143. When the antecedent is expressed. — The אשׁר may be omitted — (a) When the retrospective pron. is subj., and whether this pron. be expressed (implied in the verb) or not. Deu. 32:15 וַיִּטּשׁ אֱלוֹהַ עָשָׂהוּ he forsook God who made him; v. 17 new gods which had lately come. Jer. 13:20; 20:11; 31:25, Is. 10:3, 24; 30:5, 6; 40:20; 55:13; 56:2, and often in second half of Is., Mic. 2:10, Song 1:3, Zeph. 3:17, Job 31:12. Particularly in comparisons, Jer. 14:8, 9; 23:29; 31:18, Hos. 6:3; 11:10, Ps. 38:14; 42:2; 49:13; 83:15; 125:1, Job 7:2; 11:16, Lam. 3:1, Hab. 2:14. — So in nominal sent., Jer. 5:15 גּוֹי אֵיתָן הוּא a nation which is ancient. Gen. 15:13 בְּאֶרֶץ לֹא לָהֶם in a land which is not theirs. Gen. 39:4, cf. v. 5, Hab. 1:6, Ps. 58:5, Pr. 26:17.
(b) When the retrosp. pron. is obj., whether it be expressed or not. Deu. 32:17 אלהים לֹא יְדָעוּם gods whom they knew not, cf. Jer. 44:3. Is. 42:16 בְּדֶרֶךְ לֹא יָדָֽעוּ in a way which they know not. Mic. 7:1, Is. 6:6; 15:7; 55:5, Ps. 9:16; 18:44; 118:22, Job 21:27. And in comparisons; Nu. 24:6 כַּֽאֲהָלִים נָטַע יהוה like aloes which Je. has planted. Jer. 23:9, Ps. 109:19, Job 13:28.
