#8816 Perfect

 The Perfect expresses a completed action.

 1) In reference to time such an action me 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)