Guds pakt med Abram

The present tense in Norwegian, is used to describe actions that are currently happening, habitual actions, general truths, or future events that are certain. Unlike English, the Norwegian language has only one present tense, which is used for actions that are taking place here and now, as well as for general truths or regular events. The present tense is formed by using the base form of the verb with an appropriate ending. For most verbs, the present tense is created by adding "-r" to the infinitive form of the verb.

Examples from the text:

• "Jeg beskytter deg." (I protect you) - The verb "beskytter" (protect) is in the present tense, indicating an ongoing action of protection
• "Abram svarte: 'Herre, hva kan du gi meg? Jeg har ingen barn." (Abram answered: 'Lord, what can you give me? I have no children') - The verb "har" (have) is in the present tense, indicating Abram's current state of having no children.
• "Jeg gir dine etterkommere dette landet" (I give your descendants this land) - The verb "gir" (give) is in the present tense, indicating the act of giving that is happening or is a general promise.

The imperative mood is used for giving commands, instructions, or requests. In Norwegian, the imperative form of a verb is usually the same as the stem of the verb, which is the infinitive form without the ending "-e". The imperative is often used in direct speech to tell someone what to do.

Examples from the text:

• "Vær ikke redd, Abram!" (Do not be afraid, Abram!) - The verb "vær" (be) is in the imperative form, which is combined with the negation "ikke", giving a direct command to not be afraid.
• "Se på stjernene." (Look at the stars) - The verb "se" (look) is in the imperative form, instructing Abram to look at the stars.
• "Hent en ku, en geit, en sau og en due" (Get a cow, a goat, a sheep, and a dove) - The verb "hent" (get) is in the imperative form, commanding Abram to bring these animals.

Adverbial phrases are groups of words that function as an adverb, modifying a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. They provide information about how, when, where, why, or to what extent something happens. Adverbial phrases can include prepositional phrases, time expressions, and manner expressions.

In Norwegian, adverbial phrases often start a sentence for emphasis or to set the context. Adverbial phrases can be also placed after the verb, especially if they are short. In subordinate clauses, the word order is typically subject-verb-object (SVO), and adverbial phrases are usually placed after the subject and before the verb. The position of the adverbial phrase can change the emphasis of the sentence. Starting with an adverbial phrase often emphasizes that phrase or sets the scene, while placing it at the end can make the sentence feel more natural and flowing in conversation.

Examples from the text:

• "Da solen gikk ned, falt Abram i dyp søvn" (When the sun set, Abram fell into a deep sleep) - "Da solen gikk ned" (When the sun set) is an adverbial phrase of time, indicating when Abram fell asleep.
• "En flamme gikk mellom kjøttstykkene" (A flame went between the pieces of meat) - "Mellom kjøttstykkene" (between the pieces of meat) is an adverbial phrase of place, indicating where the flame moved.
• "Dine etterkommere skal bo i et fremmed land" (Your descendants will live in a foreign land) - "I et fremmed land" (in a foreign land) is an adverbial phrase of place, indicating where Abram's descendants will live.
• "Du skal bli gammel og dø i fred" (You will grow old and die in peace) - "I fred" (in peace) is an adverbial phrase of manner, indicating how Abram will die.