Deuteronomy 15:16 and its Similar 'Dozen Exceptions': Not Conjoined Object Structures

Ostensibly, several conjoined object structures formed with suffixed pronominal clitics are attested in the Masoretic text of the Hebrew Bible, e.g., Deut 15:16 'for he loves-[youclitic and your household]'. However, cross-linguistically, clitics have been shown to be elements that cannot coordinate; and, according to some scholars, pronominal clitics do not occupy argument positions. I therefore argue that a conjoined object analysis in these cases, as traditionally described in Biblical Hebrew grammars, should be ruled out. Working on the assumption they are nonetheless grammatical, I propose to analyze the m as conjoined clauses involving ellipsis. In most examples, this alternative analysis does not change the probable intended meaning of the verse. In Deut 15:16 and Jer 32:29, however, a coordination at the clause level invites two possible readings.