A Comparative Study of the Verbal Analyses of the Case Laws of the Law Code of Hammurabi and the Book of the Covenant, Exodus 20-23

Abstract

This paper considers the fact that the verbal forms typically used in the protases (if-clauses) of conditional sentences in the law code of Hammurabi (iptaras and iprus) have a typical value of past (‘if a man stole a man’s small child …’), while the verbal forms typically used in the protases of conditional sentences in the Book of the Covenant (yiqṭōl and wĕqāṭal) have a typical value of future (‘if a man will steal another man …’). Meanwhile, the verbal forms typically used in the apodoses (then-clauses) of conditional sentences in both CoH (iparras) and BC (yiqṭōl and wĕqāṭal) have a typical value of future (‘… then he must be killed’). The conclusion of the research is that there are minor differences between the verbal forms in CoH and BC. The differences seem to have to do with the perception of whether the crime is seen as already having taken place (CoH) or to take place in the future (BC).

Key Words: the Law Code of Hammurabi, the Book of the Covenant, Protasis, Apodosis

DOI: 10.7176/JLLL/54-10

Publication date:March 31^st 2019