Cohortative Mood
Cohortative — Simple Definition
A verb form used when the speaker says:
- “Let me…”
- “Let us…”
- “I/we should…”
- “I/we will (strong intention)…”
It expresses volition, resolve, or encouragement by the speaker, applied to the speaker himself or a group including the speaker.
Cohortative in Biblical Hebrew
In Biblical Hebrew, the cohortative is a distinct verb form, marked by adding:
־ָה / -āh (the “cohortative he”)
to a first-person imperfect verb.
Examples:
| Hebrew | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| אֶכְתְּבָה | ’echtəvāh | Let me write / I will write (with determination) |
| נֵלְכָה | nēlĕkhā | Let us go |
| אָקוּמָה | ’āqūmāh | Let me arise |
The meaning usually conveys:
- strong intention (“I will indeed…”)
- self-exhortation (“Let me…”)
- communal exhortation (“Let us…”)
Cohortative vs. Jussive
Both are moods expressing desire or command, but:
| Mood | Person | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Cohortative | 1st person | “Let me/us…” |
| Jussive | 3rd person | “Let him/them…” |