Word:

Pronounce:

Strong: H8816

Orig:

Use:

Grk Strong:


    Perfect

    The Perfect expresses a completed action.

    1) In reference to time, such an action may be:

    1a) one just completed from the standpoint of the present
    I have come to tell you the news

    1b) one completed in the more or less distant past
    in the beginning God "created"
    "I was (once) young" and "I have (now) grown old" but
    "I have not seen" a righteous man forsaken

    1c) one already completed from the point of view of another
    past act
    God saw everything that "he had made"

    1d) one completed from the point of view of another action
    yet future
    I will draw for thy camels also until "they have done"
    drinking

    2) The perfect is often used where the present is employed in
    English.

    2a) in the case of general truths or actions of frequent
    occurrence -- truths or actions which have been often
    experienced or observed
    the grass "withereth"
    the sparrow "findeth" a house

    2b) an action or attitude of the past may be continued into
    the present
    "I stretch out" my hands to thee
    "thou never forsakest" those who seek thee

    2c) the perfect of intransitive verbs is used where English
    uses the present; The perfect in Hebrew in such a case
    emphasises a condition which has come into "complete
    existence" and realisation
    "I know" thou wilt be king
    "I hate" all workers of iniquity

    2d) Sometimes in Hebrew, future events are conceived so vividly and so realistically that they are regarded as
    having virtually taken place and are described by the
    perfect.

    2d1) in promises, threats and language of contracts
    the field "give I" thee
    and if not, "I will take it"

    2d2) prophetic language
    my people "is gone into captivity"
    (i.e. shall assuredly go)