18.3 Negative Commands use the Jussive or the Imperfect

Negative commands never use the imperative

  • לֹא + imperfect
    • An absolute, permanent, blanket prohibition
    • לֹ֥֖א תִּֿרְצָֽ֖ח
    • You shall not murder (Ex 20:13)
  • אַל + jussive or cohortative
    • An immediate, circumstance-specific prohibition
    • אַל־תִּשְׁמְע֨וּ אֶל־נְבִיאֵיכֶ֜ם
    • “Do not listen to your prophets!” (Jer 27:9)
    • In this context, Jeremiah is prohibiting the people from listening to FALSE, misguided prophets, not a blanket prohibition of ANY and ALL prophets
    • 2nd person jussives are used for negative commands