4. The Imperfective Long Yiqṭol(u) in CBH

Chapter 4 establishes the independent status of the long yiqṭol as an imperfective formation in Classical Hebrew, which is a common innovation in Central Semitic. Many of the earlier imperfective functions of the long yiqṭol have been taken over by the active participle (qoṭel) in Classical Hebrew, in a process of renewal of the expression for the progressive and imperfective aspect. The prototypical imperfective meanings of the long yiqṭol, such as the progressive and past circumstantial, are retained in relatively rare cases. In contrast to the archaic stage, the long yiqṭol in Classical Hebrew can no longer form discourse continuity clauses (type wa-Verb), a function taken over by wa-qaṭal. The long yiqṭol is strictly clause-internal, which facilitates its distinction from the usually clause-initial jussive short yiqṭol.