Stress and syntax; music and meaning : the purpose and function of the Masoretic accentuation system

Abstract

In this paper the classic threefold classification of the purpose of the Masoretic accents, i.e. stress, syntax and recitation, is re-evaluated, because it appears that this classification does not do complete justice to the evidence. Some accents are not positioned at the stressed syllable, and sometimes their positioning suggests a division of the text that is not in line with the syntactical structure of the text. In other words, this classification is somewhat misleading and contributes to the sceptical attitude in scholarly circles towards the Masoretic accentuation. It is argued that the aspects of stress and syntax are not completely appropriate classifications and that a musical or recitative purpose is closer to the mark. The latter aspect is elaborated upon, after which some conclusions are drawn.