Hebrew Morphology: "imperfect sequential" in 2 Sam 11:2

Rance S

Looking at the morphology of the word "saw" in 2 Sam 11:2, its says it is "prefixed (imperfect) sequential"

What exactly does that mean (especially the "sequential" part)?

Brian Davidson

Most grammars and morphologies will refer to this form as "wayyiqtol." This combination of the "waw" (or "vav") conjunction and an imperfect (yiqtol) verb is the normal way Hebrew narrative carries forward the main story line. In this context, "sequential" mean the narrative is progressing.

George Somsel

Rance Schumacher said:

Looking at the morphology of the word "saw" in 2 Sam 11:2, its says it is "prefixed (imperfect) sequential"

What exactly does that mean (especially the "sequential" part)?

 

וַיְהִי לְעֵת הָעֶרֶב וַיָּקָם דָּוִד מֵעַל מִשְׁכָּבוֹ וַיִּתְהַלֵּךְ עַל־גַּג בֵּית־הַמֶּלֶךְ וַיַּרְא אִשָּׁה רֹחֶצֶת מֵעַל הַגָּג וְהָאִשָּׁה טוֹבַת מַרְאֶה מְאֹד׃

The designation as a "sequential" formation has to do with both the fact that it is a waw consecutive and the nature of the verb itself which is a form of the copulative verb ("to be") having the significance here of "and it happened" or even "then it happened."  I like the idea of viewing it as "then it happened" since this explicitly sets forth the sequential nature of the construction.  Note what Waltke and O'Conner have to say together with Barrick's comment on that section.

d

Consider the form (insert here)

1. the action of smiting (root nky)2. the subject, here the actor (3 m.pl.)3. the object, here the patient (3 f.s.)4. voice (the subject is an actor and so the voice is active, not passive; the subject and object are different and so the voice is active, not reflexive; etc.)5. case frame (the verb is transitive, not intransitive; it is singly transitive, i.e., has one object, rather than doubly transitive; etc.)6. type of action (the verb is Hiphil, though the relevance of the stem is not obvious in this case; cf. English simple action,’He raged against his audience,’ versus causative action, ‘He enraged his audience’)7. time of action relative to time of speaking (the smiting precedes the reference to it; contrast  (continue numbered sequence here)

Waltke, Bruce K. and Michael Patrick O'Connor. An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax, p 344. Winona Lake, Ind.: Eisenbrauns, 1990.

§20.1d (344): To the nine elements of meaning expressed by (insert here)

Barrick, William D. Comments on Waltke and O'Connor, Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax, p 16. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2011.
וַיַּכּ֖וּהָ (Judg 1:8) add: "10. particle prefix (waw-consecutive demonstrates a sequential context)." Note paragraph g on page 345. Note, also, that at the beginning of paragraph e (344), Waltke and O’Connor mention that their listing of nine elements of meaning are not exhaustive. (2nd insert)
וַיַּכּ֫וּהָ, which would conventionally be glossed ‘And they (the members of the tribe of Judah) smote it (the city of Jerusalem)’ (Judg 1:8). The verb expresses:יַכֶּ֫כָּה ‘ ‘he smites/will smite you,’ in which the time of action does not precede the speaking) (1st insert)8. the quality of action (the action, though cumulatively made up of smaller actions, has an endpoint, though not necessarily an endproduct)9. mood or modality (the action is independent; though consequent on another predicate, the verb is not subordinate to it; further, the verb makes an assertion rather than, say, a request)

Once again the forum software has made a hash of a post.  The section at the end should appear immediately after the "d" and "Consider the form" in the Waltke quote.  Looking at it more closely, even that isn't adequate.  I suggest you look it up in the resource itself.

I'll try to make it easier.  Put the green with the green and the blue with the blue.