Ross Chapter 4
p. 49
4.1 Accents: every free-standing Hebrew word has an accent
In 1st year grammars an accent on the last syllable is not noted
If the accent does not fall on the last syllable it is represented.
The accented syllable is called a “tonic” (i.e. has the tone)
The syllable before the tonic syllable is called “pre-tonic”
The syllable before that is called “pro-pre-tonic”
Ross Chapter 4
pp. 49f
4.1 Shifting accents can cause vowel reductions
A tone long vowel can be “reduce” into a short vowel or e
a) When endings are added to a word
b) When closely related to the next word
Accents:
Mark the tonic syllable
Mark traditional sentence punctuation
Give directions for cantillation (chanting)
Distinguish similar grammatical forms
Ross Chapter 4
pp. 50f
4.2 Matheg
A metheg is a short vertical stroke keeping a syllable open
that might otherwise reduce in “force”
Ross Chapter 4
4.2 Matheg
s.t. the metheg is written on the other side of the vowel
Another stroke, the silluq, is shaped the same way but will
appear as the accent of the last word of the verse and be
accompanied by the symbol
at the end of the verse
pp. 50f
Ross Chapter 4
pp. 51f
4.3 Maqqep
A horizontal stroke at the letter tops that connects two words
The joined words are in a sense one word
The accent shift to the end of the 2nd word might draw the
accent off the first word altogether
This often causes a vowel in the first word to reduce
p. 52
Ross Chapter 4
4.4 Qamets-hatuph
Qamets and qamets-hatuph share the same sign
.
Rules:
A qamets if it occurs in
(a) an open syllable (long vowel)
(b) a closed but accented syllable
(c) a syllable w/ metheg
(p. 51)
p. 53
Ross Chapter 4
4.4 Qamets-hatuph
Qamets and qamets-hatuph share the same sign
.
Rules:
A qamets-hatuph if it occurs in a closed, unaccented syllable
(since it would be a short vowel / CVC)
A metheg (bridle) can help distinguish long “a” from short “o”
p. 53
Ross Chapter 4
4.4 Qamets-hatuph
A maqqeph (binder) can cause a long “o” to reduce to short “o”
“every man”
Ross Chapter 4
p. 53
Ross Chapter 4
p. 53