§ 107. Use of the Imperfect.1
The imperfect, as opposed to the perfect, represents actions, events, or states which are regarded by the speaker at any moment as still continuing, or in process of accomplishment, or even as just taking place. In the last case, its occurrence may be represented as certainly imminent, or merely as conceived in the mind of the speaker, or simply as desired, and therefore only contingent (the modal use of the imperfect).
Knudtzon (see above, Rem. on § 106 a), comparing the Ass.-Bab. usage, would prefer the term present rather than imperfect, on the ground that the tense expresses what is either actually or mentally present. In any case, the essential difference between the perfect and imperfect consists, he argues, in this, that the perfect simply indicates what is actually complete, while the imperfect places the action, &c., in a more direct relation to the judgement or feeling of the speaker.
More precisely the imperfect serves —
1 In the sphere of past time:
(a) To express actions, &c., which continued throughout a longer or shorter period,2 e.g. Gn 2:6 a mist went up continually ( hl,[]y); ), 2:25, 37:7, 48:10, Ex 1:12, 8:20, 13:22, 15:6, 12, 14, 15, Nu 9:15 f. 20 f., 23:7, Ju 2:1, 5:8, 1 S 3:2, 13:17 f., 2 S 2:28 23:10 1 K 3:4, 7:8, 21:6 Is 1:21, 6:4 ( aleM'yI ), 17:10 f., 51:2 a, Jer 13:7, 36:18, y Ps 18:7. 14. 17 ff. 38 ff., 24:2, 32:4, 5 (^[]yd)IAa ), 47:5 68:10, 12, 104:6 ff., 106:19, 107:18, 29, 139:13, Jb 3:11, 4:12, 15 f., 10:10 f., 15:7 f.—very frequently alternating with a perfect (especially with a frequentative perfect; cf. Nu 9:15–23 and § 112 e), or when the narration is continued by means of an imperfect consecutive.3
Rem. 1. The imperfect is frequently used in this way after the particles za' then, ~r,j,ñ not yet, ~r,j,ñB. before, -d[; until, e.g. Ex 15:1 hv,m-ryv†iy" za' then sang Moses, &c.; Nu 21:17, Dt 4:41, Jos 10:12, 1 K 3:16, 8:1, y Ps 126:2, Jb 38:21. (The perfect is used after za' when stress is to be laid on the fact that the action has really taken place, and not upon its gradual accomplishment or duration in the past, e.g. Gn 4:26 lx;Wh za' then began, &c.; Gn 49:4, Ex 15:15, Jos 22:31, Ju 5:11, y Ps 89:20.)4 After ~r,j,ñ e.g. Gn 19:4 WbK'ñv.yI ~r,j,ñ before they lay down; Gn 2:5, 24:45, 1 S 3:3, 7, always in the sense of our pluperfect. (In Gn 24:15 instead of the perf. hL'Ki, the imperf. should be read, as in verse 45; so also in 1 S 3:7 [ hl,G"yI ] an imperf. is co-ordinated with [dy . After ~r,j,ñB. (sometimes also simply ~r,j,ñ Ex 12:34, Jos 3:1), e.g. Jer 1:5 aceTe ~r,j,ñB. before thou camest forth; Gn 27:33, 37:18, 41:50, Ru 3:14 (perhaps also in y Ps 90:2 an imperf. was intended instead of WdL'ñyU; cf. Wellhausen on 2 S 3:2; but note also Pr 8:25, in a similar context, before the mountains were settled, W[B+'j.h', the predicate being separated from ~r,j,ñB. by ~yrIh', as in y Ps 90:2). After -d[; Jos 10:13, y Ps 73:17 (until I went), 2 Ch 29:34; on the other hand, with the perf., e.g. Jos 2:22. As after za', so also after ~r,j,ñà ~r,j,ñB., and -d[; the imperf. may be used, according to the context, in the sense of our future, e.g. 2 K 2:9, Is 65:24, Jb 10:21; after -d[; e.g. Is 22:14 The imperf. is used in the sense of our present after ~r,j,ñ in Ex 9:30, 10:7.
2. Driver (Tenses3, p. 35 f.) rightly lays stress upon the inherent distinction between the participle as expressing mere duration, and the imperfect as expressing progressive duration (in the present, past, or future). Thus the words aceyO rh'n"w> Gn 2:10 represent the river of Paradise as going out of Eden in a continuous, uninterrupted stream, but dreP'yI, which immediately follows, describes how the parting of its waters is always taking place afresh. In the same way hl,[]y); Gn 2:6 represents new mists as constantly arising, and aleM'yI Is 6:4 new clouds of smoke. Also those actions, &c., which might be regarded in themselves as single or even momentary, are, as it were, broken up by the imperfect into their component parts, and so pictured as gradually completing themselves. Hence Am[eñl'b.Ti Ex 15:12 (after a perf. as in verse 14) represents the Egyptians, in a vivid, poetic description, as being swallowed up one after another, and ynIxeñn>y: Nu 23:7 the leading on by stages, &c.
(b) To express actions, &c., which were repeated in the past, either at fixed intervals or occasionally (the modus rei repetitae), e.g. Jb 1:5 thus did ( hf,[]y); ) Job continually (after each occasion of his sons' festivities); 4:3f., 22:6f., 23:11, 29:7, 9, 12 f., Gn 6:4, 29:2, 30:38, 42, 31:39 (I used to bear the loss of it), Ex 1:12, 19:19, 33:7 ff., ( xQ;yI used to take every time), 40:36 ff., Nu 9:17 f. 20 ff, 11:5, 9, Ju 6:4, 14:10, 21:25, 1 S 1:7, 2:22, 9:9, 13:19, 18:5, 27:9, 2 S 1:22, 12:3, 13:18, 1 K 5:25 (of tribute repeated year by year), 10:5, 13:33, 14:28, 2 K 4:8, 8:29, 13:20, 25:14, Jer 36:23, y Ps 42:5, 44:3, 78:15, 40, 103:7, Est 2:14; even in a negative dependent clause, 1 K 18:10.
2. In the sphere of present time, again
(a) To express actions, events, or states, which are continued for a shorter or longer time,5 e.g. Gn 37:15 ( vQeb;T.-hm; what seekes thou ? 19:19 lk;Wa-aol I cannot; 24:50, 31:35, Is 1:13. Other examples are Gn 2:10, 24:31, 1 S 1:8, 11:5, 1 K 3:7, y Ps 2:2, and in the prophetic formula hA'hy> rm;aoy saith the Lord, Is 1:11, 18, &c., cf. 40:1. So especially to express facts known by experience, which occur at all times, and consequently hold good at any moment, e.g. Pr 15:20 a wise son maketh a glad father; hence especially frequent in Job and Proverbs. In an interrogative sentence, e.g. Jb 4:17 is mortal man just before God ? In a negative sentence, Jb 4:18, &c.
(b) To express actions, &c., which may be repeated at any time, including therefore the present, or are customarily repeated on a given occasion (cf. above, e), e.g. Dt 1:44 as bees do (are accustomed to do); Gn 6:21, 32:33 43:32 Ju 11:40 1 S 2:8, 5:5, 20:2, 2 S 15:32, Is 1:23, 3:16, y Ps 1:3. So again (see f) especially to express facts known by experience which may at any time come into effect again, e.g. Ex 23:8 a gift blindeth ( rWE[;y> ), &c.; Gn 2:24, 22:14, Is 32:6, Am 3:7, Mal 1:6, Jb 2:4, &c. Of the same kind also is the imperfect in such relative clauses (see § 155), as Gn 49:27 Benjamin is @r'j.yI baez> a wolf that ravineth (properly, is accustomed to ravin). Finally, compare also the formulae rmea'y)e it is (wont to be) said (to introduce proverbial expressions) Gn 10:9, 22:14, &c.; !ke hf,['y)e-aol it is not (wont to be) so done (and hence may not, shall not be, see w), Gn 29:26, 20:9, 34:7, 2 S 13:12.
(c) To express actions, &c., which although, strictly speaking, they are already finished, are regarded as still lasting on into the present time, or continuing to operate in it, e.g. Gn 32:30 wherefore is it that thou dost ask ( la;v.Ti ) after my name ? 24:31, 44:7, Ex 5:15, 2 S 16:9. In such cases, naturally, the perfect is also admissible, and is sometimes found in the same formula as the imperfect, e.g. Jb 1:7 (2:2) aobT' !yIa;ñme whence comest thou (just now) ? but Gn 16:8 (cf. 42:7) t.ab' hZ<mi-ya†e whence camest thou ? The imperfect represents the coming as still in its last stage, whereas the perfect represents it as an accomplished fact.
3. In the sphere of future time. To express actions, &c., which are to be represented as about to take place, and as continuing a shorter or longer time in the future, or as being repeated; thus:
(a) From the standpoint of the speaker's present time, e.g. Ex 4:1 they will not believe ( Wnymiña]y); ) me, nor hearken ( W[m.v.yI ) unto my voice: for they will say ( Wrm.aoy) ), &c., 6:1, 9:5, &c.
(b) In dependent clauses to represent actions, &c., which from some point of time in the past are to be represented as future, e.g. Gn 43:7 could we in any wise know that he would say ( rm;aoy ) ? 2:19, 43:25, Ex 2:4, 2 K 3:27 %l{m.yI-rv,a] qui regnaturus erat; 13:14, Jon 4:5, Jb 3:3, Ec 2:3, y Ps 78:6 that the generation to come might know, WdleñW"yI ~ynIB' the children which should be born (qui nascituri essent; the imperfect here with the collateral idea of the occurrence being repeated in the future).
(c) To represent a futurum exactum; cf. Is 4:4, 6:11 (co-ordinated with a perfect used in the same sense, see § 106 o); so also sometimes after the temporal particles d[;, y Ps 132:5, and rv,a] d[; until, Gn 29:8, Nu 20:17, &c.
4. Finally to the sphere of future time belong also those cases in which the (modal) imperfect serves to express actions, events, or states, the occurrence of which is to be represented as willed (or not willed), or as in some way conditional, and consequently only contingent. More particularly such imperfects serve—
(a) As an expression of will, whether it be a definite intention and arrangement, or a simple desire, viz.:
(1) Sometimes in positive sentences in place of the cohortative (cf. e.g. y Ps 59:17 with verse 18; 2 S 22:50 with y Ps 18:50; Ju 19:11 &c.), of the imperative (Is 18:3), or of the jussive (which, however, in most cases, does not differ from the ordinary form of the imperfect), e.g. ha,r'T†e let it appear Gn 1:9, 41:34, Lv 19:2, 3, 2 S 10:12 (and so frequently in verbs h¾¾l; cf. § 109 a, note 2); Zc 9:5 ( lyxiT' ); y Ps 61:7 ( @ysiAT ); Pr 22:17 ( tyviT' ); 23:1, Jb 6:23 (co-ordinated with the imperative), 10:20 Keth.; so probably also !ydIy" let him judge ! y Ps 72:2.—So also in the 1st pers., to express a wish which is asserted subsequently with reference to a fixed point of time in the past, e.g. Jb 10:18 [w:g>a, I ought to [ not should as A.V., R.V.] have, (then, immediately after being born) given up the ghost; cf. verse 19 hy<h.a†, and lb†'Wa Lv 10:18, Nu 35:28. Even to express an obligation or necessity according to the judgement of another person, e.g. Jb 9:29 [v'r>a, I am to be guilty, 12:4 . Cp.Jb 9:15 , 19:16; in a question, y Ps 42:10, 43:2.
(2) To express the definite expectation that something will not happen. The imperfect with aol represents a more emphatic form of prohibition than the jussive6 with -la; (cf. § 109 c), and corresponds to our thou shalt not do it ! with the strongest expectation of obedience, while -la; with the jussive is rather a simple warning, do not that ! Thus aol with the imperfect is especially used in enforcing the divine commands, e.g. bnOg>ti aol thou shalt not steal Ex 20:15; cf. verses 3, 4, 5, 7, 10 ff. So aol with the 3rd pers. perhaps in Pr 16:10.
Rem. The jussive, which is to be expected after -la;, does not, as a rule (according to n, and § 109 a, note 2), differ in form from the simple imperfect. That many supposed jussives are intended as simple imperfects is possible from the occurrence after -la; of what are undoubtedly imperfect forms, not only from verbs h¾¾l (cf. § 109 a, note 2), but also from verbs W¾¾[, to express a prohibition or negative wish, jyBiT;-la; Gn 19:17, rWsT'-la; Jos 1:7, ~yfiy" an"-la; 1 S 25:25. Even with the 1st pers. plur. (after an imperative) tWmn"-la;w> that we die not, 1 S 12:19. Also to express the conviction that something cannot happen, ~Wny"-la; he will not slumber,7 y Ps 121:3; cf. Jer 46:6, 2 Ch 14:10 .
(3) In dependent clauses after final conjunctions (§ 165 b), as rv,a], Gn 11:7 ( W[m.v.yI aol rv,a] that they may not understand ); rWb[]B†; Gn 21:30, 27:4, 19, Ex 9:14, & c.; rv,a] ![;m;ñl. Nu 17:5; ![;m;ñl. Dt 4:1, y Ps 51:6, 78:6, and ![;ñy: rv,a]8 Ez 12:12, in order that9; yTil.bil. that … not, Ex 20:20, 2 S 14:14; also after -!P, that not, lest, Gn 3:22, 11:4, 19:15, &c.10; cf. also the instances introduced by aolw> in § 109 g.—In Lv 9:6 such an imperfect (or jussive ? see the examples in § 109 f ) is added to the expression of the command by an asyndeton, and in La 1:19 to the principal clause simply by w>: while they sought them food ~v'p.n:-ta, Wbyviñy"w> to refresh their souls (cf. also La 3:26, it is good and let him hope, i.e. that he should hope); so after an interrogative clause, Ex 2:7. Finally also in a relative clause, y Ps 32:8 %lete Wz-%r,d,ñB. in the way which thou shouldst go.
(b)To express actions, &c., which are to be represented as possibly taking place or not taking place (sometimes corresponding to the potential of the classical languages, as also to our periphrases with can, may, should11). More particularly such imperfects are used—
(1) In a permissive sense, e.g. Gn 2:16 of every tree of the garden ( lkeaoT lkoa' ) thou mayest freely eat (the opposite in verse 17 ); 3:2 , 42:37, Lv 21:3, 22, Jb 21:3. In the 1st pers. y Ps 5:8, 22:18 ( I may, or can, tell ); in a negative sentence, e.g. y Ps 5:5.
(2) In interrogative sentences, e.g. Pr 20:9 rm;aoy-ym†i quis dixerit ? Cf. Gn 17:17, 18:14, 31:43, 1 S 11:12 , 2 K 5:12 ~h,B' #x;r>a,-aol†h] may I not wash in them ? Is 33:14 , y Ps 15:1, 24:3, Ec 5:5 . So especially in a question expressing surprise after %yae, e.g. Gn 39:9 how then can I…? 44:34, Is 19:11, y Ps 137:4, and even with regard to some point of time in the past, looking forward from which an event might have been expected to take place, e.g. Gn 43:7 [d;nE [;Ady"h] could we in any wise know …? Cf. 2 S 3:33 ( tWmy" was Abner to die as a fool, i.e. was he destined to die…?), and so probably also Gn 34:31 (should he deal…?). Very closely connected with this is the use of the imperfect—
(3) In a consecutive clause depending on an interrogative clause, e.g. Ex 3:11, who am I ( %leae yKi ) that I should(ought, could) go? 16:7 , Nu 11:12, Ju 9:28, 1 S 18:18 , 2 K 8:13, Is 29:16, Jb 6:11, 21:15, similarly after rv,a] Gn 38:18, Ex 5:2.
Rem. In passages like 1 S 11:5, y Ps 8:5, 114:5, the context shows that the imperfect corresponds rather to our present. In such sentences the perfect also is naturally used in referring to completed actions, e.g. Gn 20:10, Ju 18:23, 2 S 7:18, Is 22:1.
(4) In negative sentences to express actions, &c., which cannot or should not happen, e.g. Gn 32:13 brome rpeS'yI-aol) rv,a] which cannot be numbered for multitude; 20:9 deeds ( Wf[)yE-aol rv,a] ) that ought not to be done (cf. above, g); y Ps 5:5.
(5) In conditional clauses (the modus conditionalis corresponding to the Latin present or imperfect conjunctive) both in the protasis and apodosis, or only in the latter, y Ps 23:4 [r' ar'yai-aol† … %leae-yK†i ~G: yea, though I walk (or had to walk) … I fear (or I would fear) no evil; Jb 9:20 though I be righteous, mine own mouth shall condemn me. After a perfect in the protasis, e.g. Jb 23:10. Very frequently also in an apodosis, the protasis to which must be supplied from the context, e.g. Jb 5:8 but as for me, I would seek unto God (were I in thy place); 3:13, 16, 14:14f, y Ps 55:13, Ru 1:13, However, some of the imperfects in these examples are probably intended as jussive forms. Cf. § 109 h.
Footnotes: