BDB2249

1. And, connecting both words (see above), and sentences (Gen 1:5 ׳וְלַחשֶׁךְ קָרָא וג). When three, four, or more words follow, the conjunction may connect them all, as Gen 7:21; Gen 10:2 (6 t.) Gen 24:35 (7 t.) Josh 7:24 (10 t.) 2Sam 17:28f.: often however it is prefixed only to the last, as Gen 5:32; Gen 10:1; Deut 18:10 etc.; occas. even it connects only the first two, 1Kgs 8:47; Isa 1:13; Ps 45:9; Job 42:9. Remarkably, however, וְ as a mere conjunction is, as a rule, not in classical Hebrew attached directly to verbs (especially in the perfect), the construction with וְ consecutive (see 2) being (as in Moabite) preferred: thus יָצָא וַיִּבֶן is said, not יָצָא וּבָנָה. Exceptions in classical Hebrew are
\ \ \ (a) sometimes where synonyms are coupled, as Num 23:19 אָמַר ֗֗֗ וְדִבֶּר, Deut 2:30; Judg 5:26; 1Sam 12:2; Isa 1:2 גדּלתי ורוממתי Isa 2:11; Isa 5:14; Isa 8:8; Isa 19:6; Isa 29:20
\ \ \ (b) isolated cases, difficult to reduce to rule (perhaps sometimes due to textual error), as Gen 28:6; Gen 38:5; Judg 3:23; Judg 7:13; Judg 16:18; 1Sam 1:12; 1Sam 3:13; 1Sam 4:19; 1Sam 5:7; 1Sam 10:9; 1Sam 17:38; 1Sam 17:48; 1Sam 25:20 and elsewhere (in other passages, apparently similar, the perfect and וְ has a frequent. force (see 2), as Gen 37:3; Exod 36:29f.; Num 10:17f. Num 21:15; Num 21:20; 1Sam 2:22; 1Sam 16:14; 1Sam 17:34f. (see Dr) 1Sam 27:9; 2Sam 16:13; 2Sam 17:17, perhaps also Gen 15:6; Gen 21:25; Gen 34:5). In later parts of OT, probably through Aramaic influence, the perfect with simple וְ occurs more frequently: so especially in Ecclesiastes, where it is all but universal (e.g. Gen 2:11; Gen 2:12; Gen 2:13; Gen 2:15 etc.). With the imperfect, the simple וְ is not so unidiomatic, even in classical Hebrew (compare 3); see Gen 1:9; Gen 1:26; Gen 9:27; Gen 17:2; Gen 22:17; Gen 27:29; Exod 23:8 (frequently) Exod 24:7; Num 14:12; Deut 17:13; Deut 30:12; Deut 30:13; Josh 3:13; Josh 7:3; Judg 7:3; Judg 13:8; Isa 5:29; Isa 14:10 often also in Jeremiah, Isa², Job, Psalms, e.g. Isa 40:30; Isa 41:20 (Dr^{§ 116}: contrast Isa 28:13). See more fully Dr^{§ 130-4} Ges^{«GKC:112»§ 112}. 6. Special senses: —
\ \ a. it sometimes = and specially, Gen 3:16; 1Kgs 11:1 many strange women, and specially the daughter of Pharaoh, Isa 1:1 Judah and (= and particularly) Jerusalem, Isa 2:1; Isa 9:7; Ps 18:1.
\ \ b. and in particular ('und zwar'), and that (explicative), Gen 4:4; Judg 7:22; 1Sam 17:40 וּבַיַּלְקוּט, 1Sam 28:3 in Ramah, and that in his city (unusual: text suspicious), 2Sam 13:20 וְשֹׁמֵמָה and that desolate, Isa 57:11 I have been silent וּמֵעוֺלָם and that from of old, Isa 32:7; Jer 15:13; Amos 3:11 (si vera lectio), Amos 4:10; Zech 9:9b Mal 1:11; Ps 68:10; Prov 3:12; Lam 3:26; Eccl 8:2; Dan 1:3; Dan 8:10; Dan 9:25; Dan 9:27; Neh 8:13; 1Chr 9:27; 2Chr 8:13; 2Chr 29:27 (but' even' for ו, before ל and infinitive, e.g. in Isa 44:28; Jer 17:10; Jer 19:12, is wrong; see Ew^{§ 351 c}, Dr^{§ 206}).
\ \ c. sometimes it introduces an idea which so exceeds or adds to what has preceded, that it is nearly equivalent to also, 1Sam 25:43; 1Kgs 2:22 ask also the kingdom for him; unusually Hos 8:6 כי מישׂראל והוא for of Israel is it also, Eccl 5:6 והבלים (see De) 2Chr 27:5 (but see ᵐ5). Or it may be rendered yea: so especially in the ascending numerations 3-4 Amos 1:3; Amos 1:6; Amos 1:9; Amos 1:11; Amos 1:13; Amos 2:1; Amos 2:4; Amos 2:6; Prov 30:18; Prov 30:21; Prov 30:29; Prov 30:6-7; Prov 6:16; Job 5:19; Job 5:7-8; Mic 5:4 — the first number being aggravated, or augmented, by a higher. In one idiom וּגְבוּל, occurring in geographic descriptions, it is used peculiarly, seemingly = at the same time: Num 34:6 and as for the western border, וְהָיָה לָכֶם הַיָּם הַגָּדוֺל וּגְבוּל the great sea shall be to you also (German 'zugleich') a border, Deut 3:16 תּוֺךְ הַנַּחַל וּגְבוּל the middle of the stream being at the same time the border, vDeut 3:17; Josh 13:23; Josh 13:27; Josh 15:12; Josh 15:47 (but these, except Num 34:6, might be cases of 5 c γ).
\ \ d. it connects alternative cases, so that it = or: Exod 20:10; Exod 20:17; Exod 21:16 he that stealeth a man וּמְכָרוֺ וְנִמְצָא בְיָדוֺ and selleth him, and (= or if) he be found in his hand, vExod 21:17; Lev 21:14; Lev 22:23; Lev 22:24; Prov 29:9 (Fl Ew RV: whether . . . or) Job 31:13; Job 31:16; Job 31:26, etc.
\ \ e. it connects contrasted ideas, where in our idiom the contrast would be expressed explicitly by but; in such cases prominence is usually given to the contrasted idea by its being placed immediately after the conjunction: Gen 2:17 but of the tree of the knowledge . . . thou shalt not eat, Gen 4:2; Gen 4:5; Gen 6:8; Gen 17:21; Gen 31:10 etc., 1Kgs 2:26; 1Kgs 10:7; 1Kgs 11:32; 1Kgs 11:34; 1Kgs 15:14; Prov 10:1; Prov 10:2; Prov 10:3; Prov 10:4 + often; even after לֹא (where כִּי or כִּי אִם might be expected), as Gen 42:10; Exod 21:18; Lev 26:45; Deut 11:11; Judg 19:12; 1Kgs 3:11. feminine it introduces a contrasted idea in such a way as to suggest a question, especially before a pronoun, Judg 14:16 I told it not to my father or my mother, וְלָךְ אַגִּיד and shall I told it unto thee? 2Sam 11:11; Jer 25:29 וְאַתֶּם הִנָּקֵה תִנָּקוּ and shall ye be guiltless? Jer 45:5; Ezek 20:31; Ezek 33:25b Jonah 4:11. So the וְ consecutive and perfect (see 2 a), Exod 5:5 וְהִשְׁבַּתֶּם and will ye make them rest from their burdens? Num 16:10 וּבִקַּשְׁתֶּם and seek ye the priesthood also? 1Sam 25:11; Isa 66:9; Ps 50:21 and shall I keep silence? Job 32:16 (compare Dr^{§ 119} γ).
\ \ g. attaching a fresh subj. (or object) to a clause already grammatically complete, it = and also, Gen 2:9b Num 16:2; Num 16:18 and they stood at the entrance of the tent of meeting, ומשׁה ואהרן and Moses and Aaron (stood also), vNum 16:27; Exod 35:22; Judg 6:5; Gen 1:16 b Gen 12:17; Gen 44:2; Gen 46:15; Exod 29:3; Jer 32:29 (compare Dr^{Sm. i. 6, 11, & p. 293}): when the idea thus attached is subordinate, or not logically embraced in the principal predicate, it approximates to the Arabic or 'waw of association' (followed by an accusative: W^{AG ii. § 37}), Esth 4:16 אֲנִי וְנַעֲרֹתַי אָצוּם I will fast (singular) and (= with) my maidens, Exod 21:4; 1Sam 25:42; 1Sam 29:10b (but insert here אַתָּה with ᵐ5) 2Sam 12:30 (but read וּבָהּ, as 1Chr 20:2) 1Sam 20:10; Neh 6:12; Gen 4:20; Isa 42:5; Jer 19:1 (but read וְלָקַחְתָּ֫ מזקני with ᵐ5) 2Chr 2:3; 2Chr 13:11 compare Jer 22:7 (אִישׁ וְכֵלָיו), Job 41:12. Whether Isa 48:16 וְרוּחוֺ belongs here, is dubious
\ \ h. וְ repeated = both . . . and (but גַּם ֗֗֗ גַּם) is more usual in this sense); Gen 34:28; Num 9:14; Josh 9:23; 2Sam 5:8 (text dubious), Isa 16:5; Isa 38:15; Jer 13:14; Jer 21:6; Jer 32:14 (text dubious) vJer 32:20; Jer 40:8; Ps 76:7; Job 34:29; Dan 8:13; Neh 12:28.
\ \ i. a repetition of the same word with וְ interposed expresses
\ \ \ (a) diversity (rare), Deut 25:13 אֶבֶן וָאֶבֶן a weight and a weight, i.e. different weights (explained by גְּדֹלָה וּקְטַנָּה), vDeut 25:14; Prov 20:23; Ps 12:3 בְּלֵב וָלֵב with a heart and a heart = with a double heart, 1Chr 12:33 בְּלֹא לֵב וָלֵב;
\ \ \ (b) distribution (except in דֹּר וָדֹר Deut 32:7; Isa 13:20 + often exclusively a late usage: compare Dr^{Intr. 505}) Ps 87:5; 1Chr 26:13 לְשַׁעַר וָשָֽׁעַר׃ = for every gate, 1Chr 28:14 (twice in verse); 2Chr 8:14; 2Chr 34:13; 2Chr 35:15; Ezra 10:14 זִקְנֵי עִיר וָעִיר elders of every city, Neh 13:24; Esth 1:8; Esth 1:22 (twice in verse); Esth 2:12; Esth 3:4; Esth 3:12 (4 t. in verse); Esth 8:9 (twice in verse); strengthened by כָּלֿ 2Chr 11:12 בכל עיר ועיר in every several city, 2Chr 19:5; 2Chr 28:25; 2Chr 31:19; 2Chr 32:28; Esth 2:11 בכליֿום ויום, Esth 3:14; Esth 4:3; Esth 8:11; Esth 8:13; Esth 8:17 (twice in verse); Esth 9:21; Esth 9:27; Esth 9:28; Ps 45:18; Ps 145:13 (common in post-Biblical Hebrew, especially with כל).
\ \ j. it is used in the formulation of proverbs (the Vav adaequationis, וָו הִשְׁתַּוָּאָה) as Prov 17:3; Prov 25:3; Prov 25:20; Prov 25:25 cold waters to a thirsty soul and good news from a far country (i.e. they are like each other), Prov 26:3; Prov 26:9; Prov 26:14; Prov 26:20; Prov 27:21; Eccl 5:2; Eccl 7:1; Eccl 8:8 compare Eccl 9:11; Ps 19:5; Ps 125:2; Job 14:11f.; Job 14:19 (compare in Arabic 'every man and his cares [accusative],' 'every thing and its price,' i.e. they go together: 'merchants and dogs [accusative] of Seleucia,' i.e. they are like one another: see Fl^{Kl. Schr. iii. 535 f.}). More rarely in the opposite order, Job 5:7; Job 12:11. But 1Sam 12:15b cannot be thus explained: read with ᵐ5 וּבְמַלְכְּכֶם, and see Dr.
\ \ k. in circumstantial clauses וְ introduces a statement of the concomitant conditions under which the action denoted by the principal verb takes place: in such cases, the relation expressed by וְ must often in English be stated explicitly by a conjunction, as when, since, seeing, though, etc., as occasion may require. So very often, as Gen 11:4 let us build a tower וְראֹשׁוֺ בַשָּׁמַיִם and its top in the heavens (= with its top in etc.), Gen 18:12 shall I have pleasure, וַאדֹנִי זָקֵן and my lord is old (= my lord being old)? Judg 16:15 How sayest thou, I love thee, וְלִבְּךָ אֵין אִתִּי and (= when) thy heart is not with me? and especially with a person pronoun, Gen 15:2 what wilt thou give me וְאָנֹכִי הֹלֵךְ עֲרִירִי and I (= the case being that I) am going hence childless? Gen 18:13; Gen 20:3 lo, thou wilt die because of the woman thou hast taken וְהִוא בְּעֻלַת בָּֽעַל׃ = seeing she is married, Gen 24:62 וְהוּא ישֵׁב = since or for he was dwelling (different from וַיֵּשֶׁב = and he proceeded to dwell), Gen 26:27 וְאַתֶּם seeing ye hate me, Judg 13:9 and came to her וְהִיא ישֶׁבֶת = as she was sitting, 1Sam 18:23; 1Kgs 19:19 + often of a more exceptional type are Ps 72:12 the afflicted וְאֵיןעֹֿזֵר לוֺ and (= when) he has no helper (compare Job 29:12), Job 104:25 וְאֵין מִסְפָּר, Job 105:34; Job 5:9. See more fully Dr^{§ 156-60} Ges^{«GKC:141»§ 141}, R 2. (The analogous use of the is very common in Arabic: W^{ii. § 183}.) Introducing an appeal to a fact confirmatory of some statement or promise, it almost = as truly as (compare Ew^{§ 340 c}) Hos 12:6 and J. is God of hosts, J. is his name! Joel 4:20; Amos 9:5-6; Isa 51:15 and I [who promise this] am J. thy God, who . . . . ! Jer 29:23; Ps 89:38b (compare in Qoran the frequently 'And God is . . . . [the mighty, the merciful, etc.]').

2. The ו consecutive (formerly called the Waw 'conversive'); —
\ \ a. with the imperfect (וַּ with following daghesh; before א, וָ), as וַיּאֹמֶר properly = and he proceeded to say, chiefly in contin. of a preceding perfect tense (so Moabite);
\ \ b. with the perfect (וְ, — in 1 & 2 singular, the tone, with certain exceptions [see Dr^{§ 110}], being thrown forward to the ultima), as וְיָָֽשַׁבְתָּ֫ properly so [namely, as limited by a verb, or other term, preceding] hadst thou sat, chiefly in continuation of a preceding imperfect tense, in its various senses of future, jussive, or frequentative. Thefurther analysis of these idioms belongs to the grammar; see on a Dr^{Ch. vi.}, Ges^{«GKC:111»§ 111}, and on b Dr^{Ch. viii.} Ges^{«GKC:112»§ 112}. Here it must suffice to note —
\ \ \ (a) ו consecutive (especially with the imperfect) frequently couples two verbs in such a manner that the first, indicating the general character of the action, receives its closer definition in the second: in such cases, the first may often be represented in English by an adverb, as Gen 26:18 וַיָּשָׁב וַיַּחְפֹּר and he turned and dug = and he dug again; so often; and similarly with הוֺסִיף Gen 25:1, מִהַר Gen 24:18, הוֺאִיל Josh 7:7, etc.; more exceptionally, Gen 30:27; Esth 8:6, and (not consecutive) Gen 47:6; Job 23:3; Song 2:3; Lam 3:26 (see Ges^{«GKC:120»§ 120}, 2 a; compare in Syriac Nö^{§ 335-6}. In Arabic the stronger form of the conjugation here corresponds: W^{ii. § 140}).
\ \ \ (b) וַּ  with the imperfect sometimes expresses a contrast = and yet, Gen 32:31 I have seen God face to face וַתִּנָּצֵל and yet my soul is delivered, Deut 4:33; 2Sam 3:8; 2Sam 19:29; Isa 51:12; Ps 73:14; Ps 144:3; Job 10:8 + (compare Dr^{§ 74} β).
\ \ \ (c) there is a tendency in the later books of the OT to use the perfect with simple וְ, where the classical language would employ the imperfect with וַּ  (compare above 1); so especially in Ecclesiastes, where וַּ  occurs thrice only, Job 1:17; Job 4:1; Job 4:7.
\ \ \ (d) a double perfect with ו consecutive is sometimes used, informally but neatly, with a hypothetical force; thus
\ \ \ (a) in past or present time Exod 16:21 וְחַם הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ וְנָמָֽס׃ and the sun used to be warm, and it used to melt = and if (or when) the sun was warm, it melted, Exod 33:10; 1Kgs 18:10; Jer 18:4; Jer 18:8 וְֹשָׁב וְנִחַמְתִּ֫י = and if it turns, I repent, Jer 20:9 (see RV); (β) in future time, Gen 44:22 ועזב אביו ומת and he will leave his father, and he will die = and if he leaves his father, he will die, Gen 33:13; Gen 42:38; Exod 4:14; Exod 12:13; 1Sam 16:2; 1Sam 19:3; Ezek 33:3; Ezek 39:15 etc. (Dr^{§ 147-9}, Ges^{«GKC:159»§ 159}. 2 e).

3. With a voluntative (cohortative or jussive) וְ expresses an intention, that or so that (an elegancy by which the too frequent use of לְמַעַן or בַּעֲבוּר is avoided): Exod 10:17 entreat God, וְיָסֵר so may he remove (= that he may remove) this death, Gen 27:4 and bring it me וְאֹכֵ֑לָה so let me eat (= that I may eat); and without the modal form being externally indicated, Exod 14:1 speak . . . וְיָשֻׁבוּ that they return, vExod 14:15 and often Sts. even of past time, as 1Kgs 13:33 whom he would, he consecrated וִיהִי that there might be priests of the high places, 2Kgs 19:25; Isa 25:9 a Lam 1:19. After a negative, Ps 51:18 thou desirest not sacrifice, וְאֶתֵּ֑נָה so [= in that case] would I give it (or, that I might give it), Ps 55:13 וְאֶשָּׂא so could I bear it (or, that I might bear it), Isa 53:2 RVm Num 23:19; Jer 5:28 RV. Sts. also before an imperative, Gen 12:2 and be (= that thou mayest be) a blessing, 2Sam 21:3 +. See more fully Dr^{§ 59-65}, The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon
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