A More Polite Suggestion: The Lengthened Imperative in Biblical Hebrew

The article explores the function of the lengthened imperative form in Biblical Hebrew, proposing that its primary role is to mark politeness rather than being redundant or purely stylistic. While earlier scholarship often dismissed it as tautological, this study integrates insights from linguistic politeness theory, including positive and negative politeness strategies. Examples from biblical texts, particularly the Psalms, demonstrate how the lengthened imperative is employed to mitigate face-threatening acts, express deference, or create a sense of urgency. The form is also linked to relational and rhetorical strategies, highlighting the dynamics of speaker-addressee interactions. The study acknowledges the overlap with other interpretations, such as directionality or euphony, and suggests that politeness offers a unifying explanation for the form’s diverse usage contexts.