It’s waw, the conjunction. Normally means ‘and’, but sometimes ‘but’, and occasionally ‘then’. No exact equivalent in English. It’s further complicated by the fact that it also has a strange grammatical function in narratives, whereby it’s stuck onto the beginning of the verbs in that narrative.In Genesis 1, some translations use “then” or “and” at the beginning of several phrases.
vs. 3 “Then” God said. Or, "And God said.
What word, if any, is being translated?
THANKS!!!
^^^This.It’s waw, the conjunction. Normally means ‘and’, but sometimes ‘but’, and occasionally ‘then’. No exact equivalent in English. It’s further complicated by the fact that it also has a strange grammatical function in narratives, whereby it’s stuck onto the beginning of the verbs in that narrative.
“And” is indeed there in the Hebrew. “And he said…”Gen 1:3 is a good example. The Hebrew doesn’t say “And,” but the later Greek Septuagint does. The Bible in English will refer not only to the Hebrew but also the Greek as far as what words to use such that the English reads smoothly.
blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Gen&c=1&t=KJV#s=t_conc_1003
Gen 1:3 is a good example. The Hebrew doesn’t say “And,” but the later Greek Septuagint does. The Bible in English will refer not only to the Hebrew but also the Greek as far as what words to use such that the English reads smoothly.
blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Gen&c=1&t=KJV#s=t_conc_1003
For the record, every verse of the first chapter of Genesis, except the very first verse, starts with waw. Eventually one gets tired of starting every verse of the translation with “and . . .”“And” is indeed there in the Hebrew. “And he said…”
But you can’t just say “it’s not there in the Hebrew” simply because it doesn’t appear in an English translation.For the record, every verse of the first chapter of Genesis, except the very first verse, starts with waw. Eventually one gets tired of starting every verse of the translation with “and . . .”
Unless you’re producing the LXX!For the record, every verse of the first chapter of Genesis, except the very first verse, starts with waw. Eventually one gets tired of starting every verse of the translation with “and . . .”
It’s the vertical stroke at the beginning.Thank you!
Concerning the BlueLetterBible’s site: where is the “waw”?
THANKS!
I hope you forgive my lack of skill, thanks!
Where did I say that it’s not there in Hebrew? My whole point is that it IS there in the Hebrew.But you can’t just say “it’s not there in the Hebrew” simply because it doesn’t appear in an English translation.
Apologies, I meant “you” in the general sense of “one”–see post #2.Where did I say that it’s not there in Hebrew? My whole point is that it IS there in the Hebrew.
Ah. No worries.Apologies, I meant “you” in the general sense of “one”–see post #2.