Jussive (Short Future Form)

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Overview

Jussive (Short Future Form)
The jussive is the SHORT form of the future verb. It speaks about future action just like the regular future form. The meaning comes from CONTEXT - not from the form itself.

READING GOAL:
To understand that jussive is the same as the future form - just shorter in spelling. Context determines if it's a statement, wish, or command.

The Rule

English: "he is" / "let there be" / "it will be" (context decides)

Judean: Short form of the future verb

יהיה (long form) → יהי (short form / jussive)
Both speak about future / ongoing state
אל + jussive = negative command ("do not...")

Key Point: The jussive is NOT a separate mood - it's a spelling variation of the future form.

Long Form vs Short Form (Jussive)

Long Form (Future)	Short Form (Jussive)	Occurrences
יהיה	יהי	421 / 831

The short form drops the final ה

Scripture Examples

EXAMPLE 1 - Genesis 1:3 (Command/Wish)

"Light is!" / "Let there be light"

יהי אור

light אור · is (jussive) יהי

Context: God speaking creation into existence - understood as command/wish

EXAMPLE 2 - Genesis 1:3 (Result)

"and light is"

ויהי אור

light אור · and-is ויהי

Same word יהי - now describing result. The ו (and) connects to previous statement.

EXAMPLE 3 - Genesis 1:29 (Long Form)

"for you it is for food"

לכם יהיה לאכלה

for food לאכלה · it is (long form) יהיה · for you לכם

Uses LONG form יהיה - same meaning, different spelling

EXAMPLE 4 - Exodus 7:9 (Command)

"it is to a serpent" / "let it become a serpent"

יהי לתנין

to serpent לתנין · is (jussive) יהי

EXAMPLE 5 - Exodus 7:10 (Narrative)

"and it is to a serpent"

ויהי לתנין

to serpent לתנין · and-is ויהי

Same word יהי - context shows this is narrative (the result happened)

Negative Commands with אל

When אל (not) appears before a future/jussive verb, it creates a negative command:

EXAMPLE 6 - Genesis 13:8

"let there not be strife"

אל נא תהי מריבה

strife מריבה · she-is תהי · please נא · not אל

The אל makes it a negative wish/command. Same verb form תהי.

EXAMPLE 7 - Genesis 15:1

"do not fear"

אל תירא

you-fear תירא · not אל

EXAMPLE 8 - Jeremiah 6:25

"do not go out"

אל תצאי

you(f)-go-out תצאי · not אל

Same Form - Context Decides Meaning

Verse	Hebrew	Context	Meaning
Gen 1:3a	יהי אור	God speaking	command/wish
Gen 1:3b	ויהי אור	narrative result	statement
Gen 10:10	ותהי ראשית	narrative	statement
Gen 13:8	אל תהי מריבה	with אל	negative wish

The verb form is the same - the CONTEXT tells you the meaning!

When It's Used

Creation commands: יהי אור "Light is!" (Genesis 1)
Narrative: ויהי "and it is" - story unfolding
Negative commands with אל: אל תירא "do not fear"
Wishes about 3rd person: "let him..." / "let it..."

When It's NOT Used

1st person wishes: Use Cohortative (with ה ending) for "let me" / "let us"
Direct commands to "you": Use Imperative

Remember: Jussive is just the SHORT spelling of the future form. The meaning depends on context, not on the form itself.

Key Points

Jussive = SHORT form of the future verb
יהיה (long) and יהי (short) have the SAME basic meaning
Context determines: statement, wish, or command
אל + jussive = negative command
The jussive speaks about FUTURE - it is NOT a separate tense
831 occurrences of יהי in scripture

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*Rule discovered and documented through direct textual analysis by Itharey Daughter of the Diaspora and it is implemented into the Judean Translator.