The Function of Wayyiqtol in Biblical Hebrew: A Discourse-Oriented Reassessment of the Waw-Consecutive Construction

The Function of Wayyiqtol in Biblical Hebrew: A Discourse-Oriented Reassessment of the Waw-Consecutive Construction Željko StanojevićInstitute for Hebrew Language and Literature, Belgrade ORCID: 0009-0009-0717-6184 Abstract The wayyiqtol construction represents one of the most distinctive and widely debated features of the verbal system of Biblical Hebrew. Traditionally interpreted within the framework of the so-called waw conversive, this construction has long been understood as a combination of the conjunction waw and an imperfect verbal form whose temporal value is “reversed” to express past action. This interpretation has significantly influenced both grammatical descriptions and the translation of biblical texts into numerous languages. The present study offers a comprehensive reassessment of the wayyiqtol construction by integrating grammatical, discourse-linguistic, and translational perspectives. Through a detailed analysis of narrative texts from the Hebrew Bible, it is demonstrated that wayyiqtol functions primarily as a marker of sequential progression within the narrative structure, rather than as a simple expression of tense conversion. Particular attention is devoted to the distinction between foreground and background information, where wayyiqtol consistently marks the main line of events, while other verbal forms are used for descriptive or contextual purposes. In addition, the study examines the historical development of the translational tradition, beginning with the Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate and extending to modern European translations. It is shown that the widespread rendering of wayyiqtol as “and + verb” reflects the influence of these traditions and contributes to the perception of waw as a coordinating conjunction. However, this interpretation does not fully correspond to the discourse function of the construction in the Hebrew text. Building on contemporary linguistic approaches, including theories of grammaticalization and discourse analysis, the study proposes that wayyiqtol should be understood as a unified grammatical form whose primary function is to structure narrative progression. Within this framework, the prefix waw is not treated as an independent conjunction but as an integral component of a grammaticalized construction. The results of this study have important implications for both the interpretation and translation of biblical texts. By emphasizing the discourse function of wayyiqtol, the study provides a more coherent account of the Hebrew verbal system and offers a foundation for more precise and context-sensitive translation strategies. This paper is an English translation of the original work published in Serbian by the same author. Keywords Biblical Hebrew; wayyiqtol; waw consecutive; waw conversive; Hebrew verbal system; discourse analysis; narrative structure; grammaticalization; Septuagint; Vulgate; Bible translation; Hebrew linguistics