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Hebrew Form Guide

יְהִ֣י (yə·hî) in Genesis 1:3: Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular

יְהִ֣י (yə·hî) in Genesis 1:3

Source Word

יְהִ֣י yə·hî Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular

The BSB+ row for Genesis 1:3 links the English rendering "Let there be" with יְהִ֣י, Strong's H1961, and the morphology tag V-Qal-Imperf.Jus-3ms.

How The Form Affects Interpretation

The form clarifies why the English line sounds like a command. God does not merely describe light; he commands light into being.

How To Communicate It

When teaching Genesis 1:3, connect 'Let there be' to God's speech act: the form carries command force in context, while the verse supplies the divine authority.

What Not To Say

  • Grammar should serve context, not override it.
  • Do not explain the jussive as uncertainty in this verse.
  • Do not separate the form from the speaker. The force of the command belongs to God speaking in context.
  • Do not use the grammar profile as a shortcut around the wording and logic of the verse.

What Does The Label Mean?

Profile

Hebrew-verb

Part of Speech

Verb

Stem

Qal

Aspect

Imperfect jussive

Person

Third

Gender

Masculine

Number

Singular

Form Label

Qal imperfect jussive, third masculine singular

Aspect Note

The jussive form gives the command its volitional force: let there be.

Verse Role

This form expresses the creative command for light to come into being.

What The Form Does In This Verse

Attached To

Light

Governed By

The form carries the content of God's command after the speech verb.

Role In The Phrase

It expresses the command that light should come into existence. The English phrase 'Let there be' is trying to carry that jussive force.

What It Is Not Doing

The form does not make creation depend on an impersonal force. Context should guide interpretation and not be overridden by a grammar label.

How Much The Form Matters Here

Interpretive Weight

High: The jussive form carries the creative command in Genesis 1:3.

Syntax Profile

Qal imperfect jussive third masculine singular. expresses the volitional force of the creative speech. Attached to the command that light be. Governed by God's speech in Genesis 1:3. The command force belongs to God's speech in context, not to an abstract grammar label by itself.

Reader Question

Why does English render this as "Let there be"? The jussive form gives the clause command force as God speaks light into existence.

Translation Effect

Direct: The jussive form directly supports the English command wording "Let there be."

Where Caution Is Needed

Jussive force should not be treated as uncertainty in this verse. The form must be interpreted with the speaker identified as God.

Fallacies To Avoid

Jussive means uncertainty: In Genesis 1:3 the jussive expresses command force in divine speech. grammar alone proves creation doctrine: The form carries the command wording; Genesis 1 supplies the doctrine of divine speech and creation.

How The Interpretation Is Derived

Textual Witness

The BSB+ row for Genesis 1:3 links the English rendering "Let there be" with יְהִ֣י, Strong's H1961, and the morphology tag V-Qal-Imperf.Jus-3ms.

Lexical Identity

H1961 is the Hebrew verb for being, becoming, or coming to pass.

Grammar In Context

The jussive form gives the verb command force inside God's direct speech.

Passage Meaning

The verse presents light coming into being because God commands it.

Canonical Fit

This form fits the repeated creation pattern in Genesis 1, where divine speech orders what comes into existence.

Communication Use

Teachers can explain that 'Let there be' is not filler language. It reflects a Hebrew form used for a command or wish.

Do Not Derive

Do not use the jussive label to claim that the command is uncertain or weak in this context.