The so-called compound use of ki 'im has been interpreted mainly either with exceptive ("except" or "unless") or adversative meaning ("but" or "rather"), although it has sometimes also been interpreted in other ways such as "only" or "surely". These various meanings have been applied without much consensus or consistency in previous discussions. In this dissertation, I have analyzed these so-called compound ki 'im constructions in terms of a new analytical schema that I call the Focus ki 'im Pattern, which provides a consistent way of analyzing these ki 'im constructions. Rather than seeing the combination of ki and 'im and as a single unit, I identify distinct functions for the two particles: ki functions as an "adversative coordinating conjunction" ("but"), while 'im introduces an "elided antithetic conditional clause" that orchestrates contrastive focus after ki 'im. The Focus ki 'im Pattern consists of a tripartite structure: [Part A] is a negative sentence, [Part B] includes a coordinating conjunction (ki) as well as an antithetical clause formed with 'im, and [Part C] repeats the verbal phrases from [Part A], placing the focused element before these repeated verbal phrases. It is noteworthy that [Part C] "regularly" marks contrastive focus by a change in word order (or ellipsis of non-focused material). Approximately three-fourth of the occurrences of ki 'im in the Hebrew Bible belong to the Focus ki 'im Pattern (120 out of 156 cases). My analysis of these ki 'im passages as examples of Focus ki 'im Pattern also clarifies the interpretation of many passages in the Hebrew Bible (for example, 2Kgs 23:9 and Ezek 44:9-16). [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]