Et before "this" zeh

Classical Hebrew morphology and syntax, aspect, linguistics, discourse analysis, and related topics
Forum rules
Members will observe the rules for respectful discourse at all times!
Please sign all posts with your first and last (family) name.
Post Reply
Kenneth Greifer
Posts: 661
Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2015 3:05 pm

Et before "this" zeh

Post by Kenneth Greifer »

I have noticed that sometimes את is before זה "this" when it is used as a direct object of a verb, but not always.
It is used before zeh in Leviticus 11:9,11:21, and 1 Samuel 21:16, but not before zeh in Psalm 56:10, 75:8, 104:26, Proverbs 24:12, and Isaiah 29:12.
Is there any reason for this? Or is it just optional?

Leviticus 11:9 ויקרא
11:9אֶת־זֶה תֹּאכְלוּ מִכֹּל אֲשֶׁר בַּמָּיִם כֹּל אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ סְנַפִּיר וְקַשְׂקֶשֶׂת בַּמַּיִם בַּיַּמִּים וּבַנְּחָלִים אֹתָם תֹּאכֵלוּ׃

Psalms 75:8 תהלים
75:8כִּי־אֱלֹהִים שֹׁפֵט זֶה יַשְׁפִּיל וְזֶה יָרִים׃

Isaiah 29:12 ישעיה
29:12וְנִתַּן הַסֵּפֶר עַל אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יָדַע סֵפֶר לֵאמֹר קְרָא נָא־זֶה וְאָמַר לֹא יָדַעְתִּי סֵפֶר׃

Psalms 56:10 תהלים
56:10אָז יָשׁוּבוּ אוֹיְבַי אָחוֹר בְּיוֹם אֶקְרָא זֶה־יָדַעְתִּי כִּי־אֱלֹהִים לִי׃
Kenneth Greifer
User avatar
SteveMiller
Posts: 465
Joined: Sun Nov 03, 2013 7:53 pm
Location: Detroit, MI, USA
Contact:

Re: Et before "this" zeh

Post by SteveMiller »

Kenneth,
My Hebrew Grammar book says that et usually precedes definite direct objects in prose.
The examples you have with the et are all prose.
The examples you have without the et are all poetry.
Also, In Isa 29:12 there is no et before the definite direct object hasepher.
In Psalm 75:8 both zeh's seem to not be definite.

I have other questions about et, I will post as a new thread.
Sincerely yours,
Steve Miller
Detroit
http://www.voiceInWilderness.info
Honesty is the best policy. - George Washington (1732-99)
Post Reply