Use of different tenses and moods in Biblical Hebrew

Present Tense in Biblical Hebrew

Understand that the Present tense is not directly expressed in Biblical Hebrew as in modern European languages. Instead, Hebrew uses imperfect tense forms or participles to convey present actions or states.
Recognise that the imperfect tense often suggests actions or states that are not yet completed. It is used for actions that are in progress, about to occur, or happen regularly.
Understand the use of participles as a way to convey present tense. This form is used to describe ongoing or habitual actions.
Be aware that context also plays a significant role in determining the sense of present tense in Biblical Hebrew.

Familiarise yourself with the historical present used in Biblical Hebrew. Often rendered in English as past tense, this usage of the present tense gives vividness to narratives.
Examine the uses of future tense or ‘yiqtol’ forms. They are versatile, and can express many different kinds of actions - from straight-forward future actions to conditional or contingent ones.
Understand the use of volitive forms. These are future tense forms used to express desire, intention, or command.

Gain an understanding of the imperfect and perfect tenses in Biblical Hebrew.
Note that the perfect tense is used to convey completed actions. From a grammatical perspective, ‘perfect’ means ‘complete’, hence the usage for completed actions.
Learn that the imperfect tense, by contrast, is used for ongoing or incomplete actions. It can also be used for future actions or to express wish or command.
Be aware that the tense usage in Biblical Hebrew focuses more on the state of the action - whether it’s completed or not - rather than the time of the action.

Engage with the concept of moods in biblical Hebrew - most notably the indicative, imperative, and jussive moods.
Understand the indicative mood, used to denote statements or declarations.
Gain competence in recognising and using the imperative mood, employed when issuing a command or instruction.
Familiarise yourself with the jussive mood which expresses wish, possibility, or command. Jussive forms are usually used in third person.
Comprehend that, unlike in many other languages, these moods in Biblical Hebrew are often discerned more from context than from distinct verb forms.