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Trusters in Him different spellings
Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2018 7:26 am
by Kenneth Greifer
In some quotes, the word "trusters" or "ones seeking refuge" in Him or in You is spelled חוסי or חוסים. For examples, see 2 Samuel 22:31, Psalm 2:12, Psalm 5:12, and Psalm 18:30. Why is the word spelled different ways?
Re: Trusters in Him different spellings
Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2018 10:10 am
by Kirk Lowery
הַחֹסִים is the masculine plural absolute form of the participle.
In Psalm 2:12, כָּל־ח֥וֹסֵי בֽוֹ all who take shelter in him the form is the masculine plural construct of the participle.
Re: Trusters in Him different spellings
Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2018 12:27 pm
by Kenneth Greifer
Kirk,
I thought that the word חוסי would have a noun after it, if it is in the construct form, if I understand what a construct is. I understand it to mean that you say "of something." I am surprised that it can be used before בו. Is the construct form used for other words like חוסי before words like בו? Is this common?
Re: Trusters in Him different spellings
Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2018 12:36 pm
by Kenneth Greifer
I should have listed Psalm 18:31 and not 18:30.
Re: Trusters in Him different spellings
Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2018 6:26 pm
by Kirk Lowery
Yes, the most common usage is a noun or noun phrase following a construct (aka, genitive). However, both prepositional phrases and even whole clauses can follow the construct. Cf. Waltke & O'Connor, Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax, p. 155, section 9.6a-b:
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9.6 Construct State before Phrases and Clauses
a
The genitive case is ordinarily a property of a single noun or pronoun, but, as mentioned earlier, two nouns can stand for one in the genitive slot, after a construct (9.3b). It is also possible for prepositional phrases and even entire clauses to stand after a construct; these constituents are thus treated as a single noun (cf. 4.4.1).
b
A prepositional phrase most often stands after a construct participle, a usage similar to the genitive of a mediated object; in the usual phrase the preposition is omitted (9.5.2), while in these constructions it is retained.
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...and Ps 2:12 is specifically cited as an example.
Re: Trusters in Him different spellings
Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2021 8:26 am
by Kenneth Greifer
Does anyone know if Gesenius explains this subject in his grammar book too? Actually, ignore this post and look at the next one please.
Re: Trusters in Him different spellings
Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2021 8:28 am
by Kenneth Greifer
Kirk Lowery wrote: ↑Fri Nov 30, 2018 6:26 pm
Yes, the most common usage is a noun or noun phrase following a construct (aka, genitive). However, both prepositional phrases and even whole clauses can follow the construct. Cf. Waltke & O'Connor,
Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax, p. 155, section 9.6a-b:
----------------------------------------------------------
9.6 Construct State before Phrases and Clauses
a
The genitive case is ordinarily a property of a single noun or pronoun, but, as mentioned earlier, two nouns can stand for one in the genitive slot, after a construct (9.3b). It is also possible for prepositional phrases and even entire clauses to stand after a construct; these constituents are thus treated as a single noun (cf. 4.4.1).
b
A prepositional phrase most often stands after a construct participle, a usage similar to the genitive of a mediated object; in the usual phrase the preposition is omitted (9.5.2), while in these constructions it is retained.
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...and Ps 2:12 is specifically cited as an example.
Does anyone know if Gesenius explains this in his grammar book too?
Re: Trusters in Him different spellings
Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2021 10:12 am
by Kirk Lowery
GKC § 130. "Wider Use of the Construct State". Ps 2:12 is specifically mentioned in § 130a(1).
See also GKC § 89; § 128 and § 129 for a complete discussion of the construct.
Although I prefer Waltke & O'Connor as the clearer explanation, based on more recent linguistic theory and study.
HTH,
Kirk
Re: Trusters in Him different spellings
Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2021 11:18 am
by Kenneth Greifer
Kirk,
I looked at the book by Waltke and O'Connor on Googlebooks where you can see a lot of it for free. It has a lot of good examples for every topic it explains, but you really have to know grammar at a high level to use books like that. I never studied grammar at a high level, so I only understand very little of what it says. I do understand the examples, though, so I like what I have seen of the book. I didn't look at Gesenius' book yet, but I want to later. I think it is possible to explain technical subjects like Biblical Hebrew grammar with easier non-technical words and with good examples, but the people who write and read those kinds of books are usually well-educated in grammar to begin with. I don't think there is or will ever be a kind of "Biblical Hebrew Grammar for Dummies" that actually discusses higher level grammar in an easy way. It is too bad.