Geoffrey Khan’s Contribution to the Problem of Biblical Hebrew Consecutive weqaṭal

The article critically evaluates the explanation of the Biblical Hebrew weqaṭal clause-type, particularly in relation to Geoffrey Khan’s research on its historical and typological development. Weqaṭal, a clause type expressing future or habitual meanings, is considered enigmatic due to its divergence from the expected past tense interpretation of qaṭal forms. The study discusses two key components of Khan’s argument: the typological parallels with the Neo-Aramaic subjunctive form bət-qaṭəl and the application of Joan Bybee’s construction theory. The article explores the semantic and syntactic evolution of weqaṭal from its original function as an apodosis in conditional sentences to a broader use as a clause type marking discourse dependency. Khan’s proposed schematisation, which highlights step-by-step extensions of weqaṭal’s functions, is situated within the broader Northwest Semitic linguistic framework. The study also addresses potential limitations and the need for further research, particularly regarding the interplay between weqaṭal and other clause types like yiqṭol.