Paseq

Paseq or Pasek , Hebrew פָּסֵק= cut off is a vertical line between two words that occurs in Hebrew Bible texts. It is not a stress sign or part of an accent, but a marking or distinguishing sign that is used for various purposes. Most often, Paseq is used to denote the separating function of an accent mark.

Occurrence

Paseq together with cantillation symbols

Paseq occurs in combination with some Teamim (stress signs ) which, depending on the position, can have a disjunctive or conjunctive function, ie a separating or connecting function. In combination with Paseq, the cantillation symbol has a disjunctive, ie separating, function and its own melody.

Often Paseq is combined with Munach , making this Munach legarmeh or Legarmeh for short. In this case, Munach, which is otherwise used as a conjunct, becomes a disjunctive sign with its own melody. The combination of Kadma with Paseq also creates an Azla legarmeh .

Paseq appears together with Schalschelet in a few places and shows the disjunctive function of Schalschelet in these places. Schalschelet appears in the three poetic books in both a conjunctive and a disjunctive function, in the remaining 21 books it is used exclusively disjunctive in seven places and is always there with Paseq.

Other uses

However, there are other occurrences of Paseq that have nothing to do with the accent marks. There are no strict rules that require a Paseq to be placed in one place. However, Paseq offers the option of alerting the reader to any special circumstance or possible confusion. It is intended to resolve ambiguities or prevent possible reading errors.

Paseq euphemisticum comes before or after the name of God and is intended to prevent this name from coming too closely into contact with a word that the scribes found offensive.

Paseq euphonicum is sometimes found between two words where the second begins on the same letter that the first word ends with. This is to ensure that both words are spoken separately.

Paseq emphaticum is intended to indicate a particular circumstance. The scribes pay special attention to the spot. In this function it is sometimes used when repeating a word and is intended to prevent the word from being accidentally omitted.

Occurrence

The table shows the occurrence of Paseq in the 21 books.

Part of the Tanakh	Paseq
Torah	89
Front prophets	111
Rear prophets	114
Ketuvim	116
total	430

literature

Wilhelm Gesenius : Hebrew grammar . 28th edition (revised by Emil Kautzsch), Vogel, Leipzig 1909, pp. 62–63, note 2 ( digitized version ).
William Wickes: A Treatise on the Accentuation of the Three So-Called Poetical Books on the Old Testament, Psalms, Proverbs, and Job. Clarendon Press, Oxford 1881, p. 95 ( digitized version ).
James D. Price: Concordance of the Hebrew accents in the Hebrew Bible . (Vol. I) Concordance of the Hebrew Accents used in the Pentateuch. Edwin Mellon Press, Lewiston (New York) 1996, ISBN 0-7734-2395-8 .

Individual evidence

^ Wilhelm Gesenius : Hebräische Grammatik , p. 62, note 2 digitized
↑ ^a ^b Wickes, Poetical Books, p. 95.
^ Wickes, Poetical Books, p. 96.
^ Wickes, Poetical Books, p. 97.
^ Wickes, Poetical Books, pp. 97-98.
↑ James D. Price: Concordance of the Hebrew accents in the Hebrew Bible: Concordance…. 1st volume, p. 5.

[1] Wilhelm Gesenius : Hebräische Grammatik , p. 62, note 2 digitized

[Wickes_95-2] Wickes, Poetical Books, p. 95.

[3] Wickes, Poetical Books, p. 96.

[4] Wickes, Poetical Books, p. 97.

[5] Wickes, Poetical Books, pp. 97-98.

[Price5-6] James D. Price: Concordance of the Hebrew accents in the Hebrew Bible: Concordance…. 1st volume, p. 5.