23.4 Syntax of the Perfect

The Perfect without the ו consecutive is NOT NORMALLY the first word in a clause

• אַחַר הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה הָיָה דְבַר־יְהוָה אֶל־אַבְרָם
  • After these things, the word of the LORD CAME to Abram (Gen 15:1)
• וְהִנֵּה נָפְלוּ אֲבוֹתֵינוּ בֶּחָרֶב
  • For behold, our fathers FELL by the sword (2 Chr 29:9)
• בְּרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֵת הָאָֽרֶץ׃
  • In the beginning God CREATED the heavens and the earth (Gen 1:1)

However, the Perfect WITH the ו consecutive is ALWAYS the first word in a clause

• וְאָ֣הַבְתָּ֔ אֵ֖ת יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ
  • And you will love Adonai your God (Deut 6:5)
• וְזָכַרְתִּי אֶת־בְּרִיתִי
  • And I will remember my covenant (Gen 9:15)

As we remember from Lesson 17, the Perfect conjugation with the Vav is usually translated as if it were an Imperfect.