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Bible Lexicons
Gesenius Hebrew Grammer
Part 163
1. After negative sentences (especially after prohibitions) the antithesis (but) is introduced by כִּי אִם, e.g. 1 Samuel 8:19 and they said, Nay, but we will have a king over us; Psalms 1:2, &c.; frequently also by כִּי alone, e.g. Genesis 18:15, Genesis 19:2, or even simply connected with וְ, Genesis 17:5, וְהָיָה as perfect consecutive; 42:10; cf. Exodus 5:18.
Rem. Sometimes the negation is only virtually contained in the preceding sentence, e.g. in the form of a rhetorical question (Micah 6:3 f.) or of conditions which are to be regarded as not having been fulfilled (Job 31:18); כִּי or כִּי אִם in such cases becomes equivalent to nay, rather.
2. Exceptive clauses, depending on another sentence, are introduced by אֶ֫פֶס כִּי except that, and (again after negative sentences, see a above) כִּי אִם[1] unless; especially כִּי אִם with the perfect (equivalent to unless previously) after imperfects which contain a declaration, e.g. Genesis 32:27 I will not let thee go, except thou hast previously blessed me; Leviticus 22:6, Isaiah 55:10, Isaiah 65:6, Amos 3:7, Ruth 3:18. Finally, בִּלְתִּי אִם unless, Amos 3:4 (with perfect after a rhetorical question), or simply בִּלְתִּי Genesis 43:3 with a noun-clause, except your brother be with you; Isaiah 10:4 after a rhetorical question, with a verbal-clause. Rem. The principal statement, to which כִּי אִם appends an exception, must sometimes be supplied from the context; thus, Genesis 40:14 (I desire nothing else) except that thou remember me, equivalent to only do thou remember, &c. (cf. 106 n, note 2; but it is probably better to read אַךְ for כִּי). Cf. Micah 6:8, where כִּי אִם, equivalent to nothing but, is used before an infinitive, and Job 42:8, equivalent to only, before a noun. Similarly when כִּי אִם after an oath introduces an emphatic assurance, e.g. in 2 Kings 5:20 as the Lord liveth (I can do nothing else) except I run after him, &c.; cf. 2 Samuel 15:21 Keth., Jeremiah 51:14, Ruth 3:12 Keth., and even without the oath, Judges 15:7; cf. the Rem. on c.
- ↑ Very probably this use of כִּי אִם arises from the original meaning for if, surely if (כִּי in an affirmative sense); so evidently in Exodus 22:22 as a forcible resumption of the preceding אִם. Thus, e.g. Judges 15:7 is simply surely when I have been avenged of you, after that I will cease, equivalent to, I will not cease, until I have, &c. When the exception follows, an ellipse must be assumed, e.g. Ruth 3:18 surely (or for) when he has finished it (then the man will rest). It is far less natural to assume such an ellipse with כִּי אִם but (before entire clauses as before single nouns); see a above.
