CHAPTER TWO: Hebrew Verbal System: An Introduction
Short Description
This is an introductory chapter of a different approach to the Hebrew verbal system of the Old Testament. More chapters ...
Description
Chapter
2 The Vowel Scheme in Verbal System How does it work
2.1 ַֹפו)ה. A verb in The most important word in the sentence is the verb ( ַלע Hebrew conveys four miens of information related to the verb: semantic meaning, gender (masculine or feminine), number (singular or plural) and tenses (or aspect). 2.2 Words in Hebrew (nouns, adjectives, and verbs) came mostly in a unit of ֹׁו ש. In language sciences, a more three consonants, known as the root ( ֵשר technical word for world be lemma or word stem, referred to the lemma or headword which is used in dictionary indexing. The lemma lemma is is related to . lexeme, but it is not necessary to be over curious about it at this point. It d e s is onto the triconsonantal root specic dyads of default vowels ( ים ְִודק ִי)נ i v e r are to be uploaded to congure the root into various moods and tenses 1 1 of the verb. No doubt there are words that come in four consonants, 0 2 y r especially in Modern Hebrew.
שורש
ּ
a u n a J ב ב n a ר ר H 2.3 ו ו ך ך n e Hebrew ה ה f f e ש ש t after the ם ם S
reads from right to left, each consonant of the root is named ָפ ← (which means to operate, verb ),), sequence of the word ַלע
Hebrew Verbal System
2
Name Calling
N
omenclature
and
terminology part
of
the
grammatical
units.
would be among some of the In other areas lessspecialized word will
many obstacles the beginner students be used. of Hebrew language must overcome,
Before the emergence of modern
partly due to different textbooks used linguistic research, Hebrew grammarians different
nomenclature
system.
It chose the verb
פ על,
which has the
seems there will be a long way to meaning “to do” as an operative concept go before attempt to consolidate the to express the morphology and paradigm diverse approaches into a unifying of Hebrew verbs. Unfortunately, the word system would come about. Specialist
פעלhas a guttural residing in the middle
terminology is useful only to the extent position, which means that it could not be that it does not in itself become a new doubled in the case with verbs in the Pi’el, problem along side learning the already Pu’al and Hithpa’el stems. Nonetheless, it difcult enough language.
has been in used over a long period of
It may appear too complex and, time, and the method sticks deep into the at
times,
annoying,
nomenclatures to
facilitate
are
but
different system, so modern research would just
provided
recognition
of
here tag along with it. each
according to the order of the position the consonant occurs, so that the rst position is termed as the (ֵאפ ) position, the second as the (ַיןע ) position, and the third and last is known as the (ֶדמ ָל ) position. Verbs in Hebrew are to be classied according to this taxonomy. There are other systems to name each alphabet of the root, for sure.
”פ
”ל
”ע
. d
2.4 Verbs in the Hebrew language are expressed across seven stems or ִ plural; ָןי ְּנב ִ singular), namely, the Pa’al ( ַלע ָפ ּ ) or binyanim (ִיםנ ְָיּנב Qal (ַלק ַ ), Niph’al (ַלע ְפ ִנ ), Pi’el (ֵלע ּפ ִ or in Modern Hebrew: ֵלע ּיפ ִ ), ֻפ ּ or ָלע פ ּ ), Hiphil (ִילְעפ ִה ), Hophal or Huphal ( ַלע ְפ ָה also Pu’al (ַלע written as ַלע ְפ ֹ הוor ַלע ְפ ֻה ), Hithpa’el ( ַלע ַפ ְּת ִה ), grouped into three or four major groupings: the Simple stem, the Intensive stem, the Causative stem and the Reflexive stem. There are some minor and rare stems as well.
e v or p mI 1 1 0 2
ּו
yr a u n aJ n ב
a ר
H ו
n ך ה
ef ם
S
f ש
et
CHAPTER TWO: The Vowel Scheme
Meaning of the
3
ב נ י י נ ים קל קל
2.5 The Simple binyan: Active - Qal The Simple stem consists of: (i) The and the binyanim . ַלק verbs, an active voice, could be transitive or intransitive, as shown by ָפ ּ he visited (to visit ).). The Qal binyan apart from the sample word: ַדק the triconsonantal root and the pronominal afxes, when under inflexion, has no prosthesis in any verbal form of the binyan , not even in the Participles. To each of its seven or so verbal forms, the Qal binyan is given by default a pair of xed vowels, both the head vowel as well the stem or theme vowel—hence rules pertaining to the topic and problems of theme vowel that often appeared to be a difcult part of conjugation of the Hebrew verb would not be applicable to the Qal binyan —to —to compose the verb in its respective forms. Weak verbs, irregular verbs or stative verbs in Qal binyan , however, would be given a vowel v owel [ ○ ַ ] (ַחת ַּפ ּ֫ ), which in other non-Qal binyan would hint at passive or irregular verbs, as stem vowel in the Qal Imperative, Qal Imperfect and Qal Perfect Tense mainly in zero vowel sufformative conjugation and consonantal sufformative conjugation. Vocalic (vowel) sufformative conjugation of all binyanim would go through a process of abdication of the hind consonant of the root and shortening of the stem vowel to . The Qal Participles, active as well as passive participle, have a separate set of stem vowels each. Only in the simple binyan the passive participle would utilise what is known as the alternative vocalic feminine ending, namely, [ ָ---] ---] (ֵאה ) combination, for the declension of feminine singular participle. The declension of the remaining three, namely, the . masculine singular, is a zero vowel sufformative conjugation, and the d e v others: (a) masculine plural would follow the usual plural declension or ] ending; and (b) the regular p for masculine noun, which carried the [ ִים○ mI plural declension for feminine nouns, which carried the [ ] ending. 1 1 Stative verb is available only in the Qal banyan , which stem or theme 0 2 yr vowel may have up to three vowel types. Verbs appearing in the Qal a u binyan would often be active, indicative in meaning. n
נפעל
ש ו וא
ה
קמץ ־
תֹו
ך
ה ש ם
ב ר ו
ef f et S
a J n a H n
ּןנו
ְפ ִנ binyan is always headed by a [ ) ( ]ְנwhere the (ii) Verb in the ַלע vowel [○ ִ ] (ִיקִיר )הappearing beneath the [ ) ( ]ְנin the nomenclature is shortened from in compliance with the rule of two contiguous
ש ו וא נע
ּןנו
Hebrew Verbal System
4
( more about this rule later ). later ). In the Innitive שוואיםoccurring in a row (more Absolute, the Niph’al has two formats of prosthesis: (a) the [ ּן( ]ְנ )נוtype, as the [ ּן ( ]ְנ )נוin the two sample words: ֹבְתוכ ִנ to be written, ֹלְטוִקנ to be murdered . The vowel composition of this Niph’al format is similar
to the vowel pattern used in the Qal Innitive Construct but with the addition of the [ ) ( ] ְנprosthesis which together with the default vowels make up a base unit that would be used only by the Niph’al Innitive Absolute; and (b) the [ ] (ֵאח ) type, as the prosthesis in the sample ִָה to be written , ֹלּטוק ִָח to be killed, to be murdered, where words: ֹבּתוכ the signatory [ ) ( ] ְנis assimilated into the head consonant of the root ) visible, hence the presence of a leaving the [ ] (ֵאח in the rst letter of the . Once again, this format is quite similar similar to the the vowel pattern of the Qal Innitive Absolute with the addition of [ ְִנה ] playing the role of default prosthesis. When the prosthesis of this Niph’al format is teamed up with a vowel [ ○ ֵ ] ( ) in the pillion syllable, apart from being an alternative format of Niph’al Innitive Absolute, it formed the default base, template unit which would be used to install install the Niph’al Niph’al Innitive Construct, the Niph’al Imperative and the Niph’al Imperfect, as the vowels shown in the following two sample words: ֵבת ּכ ִָה , ֵלט ּק ִָח , while the other format: ֹלְטוק ִנ , with the adoption of the vowel [ ○ַ ] (ַחת ַּפ ּ֫ ) as the theme vowel, is used to congure the rest of other verbal forms for the Niph’al banyan , such as the Niph’al Perfect and the Niph’al ְפ ִנ is a passive voice verb but it (passive) Participle. Basically, ַלע assumes the vowel [ ○ ֵ ] ( )—a vowel when in the role of theme vowel is closely linked with the active voice of a verb in non-Qal binyanim —as —as stem vowel in zero vowel sufformative conjugation to run the Niph’al Innitive, Niph’al Imperative and Niph’al Imperfect while the Niph’al ַ ] (—)פתחa vowel which is more akin to the Perfect would load a [ ○ passive voice of a verb in non-Qal binyanim —as —as the theme vowel in the counterpart conjugation. The [ ) ( ]ְנin the prosthesis of ַלע ְפ ִנ would be assimilated during conjugation in the Niph’al Imperfect Tense as the case shown in the sample word: ֵכת ָכ ִּי it would be written or ֵלט ָק ֶּא I ִ ] (ִיקִירה ) is reduced from a would/will be killed , where the vowel [ ○ . The vowel [ ○ ַ ] ( )פתחis also used in all cases of consonantal sufformative conjugation in the Niph’al binyan . The vocalic sufformative conjugation of all verbs would go through the process of abdication of the hind consonant and shortening the stem vowel to a . The Niph’al
ּןנו
ח
ּןנו
ח שורש
דגש
צר י
צרי
. d e v or p mI
ּןנו
1 1 0 2 yr a u n a J
ש ו וא נ ע
ש ו וא
n ב
a ר
H ו
n ך ה
ef ם
S
f ש
et
CHAPTER TWO: The Vowel Scheme
5
קמץ
ָ ] ( ) to form a combination of Passive Participle takes the vowel [ ○ [ָה---] ---] ()קמץ־הא, which is immutable, as the stem vowel in all its four forms of declension to the participles. In the case of feminine singular in Niph’al Passive Participle, it assumes the alternative vocalic feminine noun ending thus adding another [ ○ ָ ] ( ), tailing at the rear of the root, ָת ְּכ ִנ , (take as the vowels in the sample word: ָהב (take note that this word might ). The vowel [○ ֵ ] ( ) is usually reserved not be found in use in the for an active stem and hence sometimes the Niph’al could be either active or passive, and occasionally reflexive, as the meaning expressed by the sample word: ַרמ ְש ִׁנ to guard oneself . Properly understood, the Niph’al in Hebrew is quite akin to a middle voice, which is passive in form but active in meaning. As the Niph’al binyan is passive voice verb, there is no Niph’al Active Participle.
קמץ
ך”תנ
צרי
2.6 The Intensive binyan The Intensive stem consists of: (i) and binyanim . Generally, ֵלע ּפ ִ is active voice transitive verb (Actualy, this word is in the Perfect Tense of masculine third person singular). In cases when the verbs in the ַלק binyan are intransitive or stative, as the sample words: ש ַׁד ָק to be (it was ) holy , ש ּׁד ִֵק to sanctify (it sanctied) , would assume a dynamic nature in Pi’el; thus there would be no more distinction between dynamic verbs and stative verbs outside the Qal binyan . Sometimes is ַפ ּ to fear . There are two intransitive, as shown by the sample word: ֵדח patterns of Pi’el Innitive Absolute, as could be seen from the samples: ּ , which is used only by the Pi’el Innitive Absolute; and (b) (a) ֹבַתוכ ֵבת ַּכ ּ . It is the second pattern headed by a [ ○ַ ] ( )פתחin partnership with [○ ֵ ] ( ) and a ֵׁשג ָ דis placed in the middle consonant of the ֵּ +○ַ ] ( + +—)פתחthe default combination , a pairing of [ ○ for Pi’el forming a sort of default, base template (as the case in the Niph’al binyan ) which is immutable, and its relation with Aramaic has been explained in the previous chapter—is used to congure practically all other Pi’el verbal forms: the Pi’el Innitive Construct, the Pi’el Imperative, the Pi’el Imperfect, the Pi’el Active Participle and the Pi’el Perfect Tense: but the Pi’el Perfect Tense is headed by a [ ○ ִ ] (ִיקִיר)ה ֵ ] ( ) loaded with ש ֵׁג ָ דin the pillion syllable instead. partnering a [○ Verbs in Pi’el binyan are known for the ש ֵׁג ָד present in the middle consonant of the root in all verbal forms of Pi’el binyan , which would
פ י על
וּעל פ
פ י על
.
ך
ה ש ם
ב ר ו
ef f et S
a J n a H n
1 0 2 yr a u n
v or p mI 1
d e
שורש
צרי
צרי דגש
צרי
Hebrew Verbal System
6
be omitted in verbal roots where a guttural consonant sits in the middle position of the שורש. When this happens, the rules for compensatory lengthening the vowel of the preceding syllable or virtual doubling without lengthening the vowel beneath the preceding consonant while rejecting the דגש, in both cases, would be applicable. In the matter of stem or theme vowel, in zero vowel sufformative conjugation as well as all consonantal sufformative conjugations for all verbal forms in the Pi’el binyan , covering Pi’el Innitive construct, Pi’el Imperative, Pi’el Imperfect, Pi’el Active Participle and even Pi’el Perfect Tense, a combination of [ ○] (דגש+ ) tailing after the head [ ○ ַ ] (( )פתחthe default base template for Pi’el binyan , as noted in the previous chapter) would be used: the whole affair is rather consistent, except for the consonantal sufformative conjugation of Pi’el Perfect Tense, in which ַ ] ()פתח, and like wise, loads a ( )דגש, is used as the case, the vowel [ ○ theme vowel next after the vowel [ ○ ִ ] (ִיקר ִי)ה, which is the default head ֶּ ב ְ ת ַּ כ ִּ ; vowel for Pi’el Perfect Tense, as the vowels in the sample word: ןת and of course, there is no consonantal sufformative conjugation for Pi’el Participle, and there is no Passive Participle for Pi’el binyan , too. In vocalic sufformative conjugation, the pillion syllable would go through the process of abdication of the hind consonant but to be reused to form a new, rare syllable with the vowel coming from the sufformative, and shortening the stem vowel to a in all Pi’el verbs except the Pi’el Active Participle. The vocalic sufformative conjugation in Pi’el Active Participle would assume a pattern resembles plural feminine noun ending; whereas for the singular, it is segholate noun ending, and masculine plural noun ending for masculine plural active participle. Hebrew participles outside the Simple binyanim would prex a consonant [ מ ְ ] (ֵםמ ), which is immutable and universal (everyone has one), as signatory prosthesis for Participles outside the Qal binyan .
ֵּ
צרי
ש ו וא
. d e v or p mI 1
פ י על
ֻפ ּ binyan is the passive voice of (ii) The ַלע verbs as shown by the sample word: ש ׁ ד ַּ ק ֻ to be sanctied . As a member of the Intensive binyan , the Pu’al like wise totes a in the middle consonant of the , a common feature found in the Intenvive binyan and, again, the rules related to compensatory lengthening and virtual doubling of the vowel in the preceding syllable shall be applicable to a verbal root which has a guttural residing in the middle position. The head vowel [ ○ ֻ ] (ּוץב ֻק )
שורש
1 0 2 yr a
דגש
ּ
u n aJ n ב
a ר
H ו
n ך ה
ef ם
S
f ש
et
CHAPTER TWO: The Vowel Scheme
7
is immutable, but the head consonant of verbal root would just sit on it while the preformative pronominal the for the Imperfect Tense would be attached to the front of the base unit as shown in the sample ֻּכ ְי it would be written , and the vowel [ ○ַ ] ( )פתחwould be used word: ַבת as stem vowel in all cases of zero vowel sufformative conjugation and consonantal sufformative conjugation in Pu’al verbs, which is a passive voice. The vocalic sufformative conjugation would go through the same process of abdication of the hind consonant as that of the Pi’el verbs. There is no Active Participle for Pu’al binyan , and the Pu'al Passive Participle is headed by the consonant [מ ְ ] (ֵםמ ), the prosthesis for participle outside the Qal binyan , as the case with the Pi’el Active Participle. The next instance of similar mechanical use of vowel [ ○ ֻ ] (ּוץב ֻק ) in the conjugation of a passive voice of a binyan would be in the Hophal binyan , which employs binyan would ֻ ] instead. [ה
ן”אית
ּ
2.7 The Reflexive binyan The Reflexive stem consists of only the binyan , which sometimes could be passive or intransitive, as shown by the sample words: ש ּׁד ֵַק ְת ִה ַּכ ְּת ִה be propitiated , to make oneself ready , to consecrate oneself , ֵרפ ּךל ִַה ְת ִה to walk . Nevertheless, the Hithpa’el sometimes could function as a passive verb, and the Niph’al could resume a Reflexive function. The inflexion of all three forms of conjugation would be identical as that of the Pi’el binyan while the signatory head syllable ת ְִה is immutable and might require metathesis in certain cases.
התפעל
2.8 The Causative binyan The Causative stem, an active voice, consists of: (i) ִילע ְפ ִה and ַלע ְפ ָה . dor ַלע ְפ ֻה binyanim , which sometimes could be intransitive, as shown by e v o ֶה to listen , ש ׁ ּיד ְִק ִח to declare holy . The passive r the sample words: ִיןֱזא p mof Hiphil has two formats: the ַלע ְפ ָה or ַלע ְפ ֻה as the vowels shown I 1in the sample word: ש ּׁד ְַפ ָה to be declared holy . The Hiphil Innitive 1 0 2Absolute is headed by a prosthetic syllable [ ה ַ ], the key signature in y r a Hiphil binyan ֵ ] ( ) placed in the pillion binyan at at the head of a deuce with [ ○ u n a ַ] J syllable as stem vowel forming a default base unit. The prosthetic [ ה n ב ב a when acting with the head consonant of the root closes the rst syllable, ר ר H ו ו ך ך nas the vowels shown in the sample word: ב ֵת ְּכ ַה to write . NOTE: The e f ה ה f e is used because it is at the beginning of another syllable for the ש ש t
צר י
דגש
ם ם S
Hebrew Verbal System
8
ת
) in this word. The same brace of default base unit (the consonant [ ] (ָות consonant [ pairing of vowels) would be used in the Hiphil Imperative for both zero sufformative conjugation and consonantal sufformative conjugation, but only the consonantal sufformative conjugation of the Hiphil Imperfect Tense, where the position occupied by [ ]הin the prosthesis [ ה ַ ] would be replaced by a preformative pronominal for the Imperfect Tense, the , as in the sample word: ִידמ ֲע ַי . In the case of consonantal sufformative conjugation for the Hiphil Perfect, it is led by its default signatory [○ ִ ] (ִיקר ִי )הbuckled up with [ ]הto compose a unit of [ ] and totes a [ ○ ַ ] ( )פתחas stem vowel: as a general rule, the vowel [ ○ַ ] ( )פתחis conventionally linked with the Hebrew Perfect Tense as theme vowel in all binyanim . Other than that, for the other cases of zero vowel sufformative conjugation and all cases of vocalic sufformative conjugation—overspreading the Hiphil Imperative, the Hiphil Imperfect, the Hiphil Active Participle and the Hiphil Perfect, together with the respective default prosthesis —in the Hiphil binyan, the default base unit, the template, of the Hiphil Innitive Construst, a combination + ה ַ] ( ה ַ ), would be used, as the vowels shown in of [ִי○ the sample word: ּיבת ְִכ ַה to write . The rule of abdication of the hind consonant and shortening of the theme vowel would not be applicable to the Hiphil binyan , as the epenthsis [ ִי○] ( ִיקִירה ) is immutable. The active participles in Hebrew decline like a noun, thus the segholate noun declension pattern would be used on feminine singular of the Hiphil Active Participle, and the declension for plural feminine noun would be used on the counterpart of Hiphil Active Participle feminine plural; similar application of the declension rules for masculine nouns, singular and plural, would be used on the Hiphil Active Participle masculine.
ן”אית
ִה
היריק מלא+
מלא
. d e
(ii) The Hiphil has two passive formats: (a) ַלע ְפ ָה , and (b) ַלע ְפ ֻה . The Innitive Absolute would be a combination of the prosthesis of each format pairing with [ ○ ֵ ] ( ) to form a default unit, as the vowels shown in the sample word in the Hophal Innitive Absolute: ֵבת ְּכ ָה . NOTE: The is used because it is at the beginning of another syllable for ). To install the Hophal Innitive Construct, it is the consonant [ ] (ָות a combination of the prosthesis [ ] taking the lead with a [ ○] ( )פתחin pillion syllable serving the role of a theme vowel, as the vowels shown in the sample word: ַבת ְּכ ָה to write . This is the base unit, a zero vowel
v or p mI 1 1
צרי
דגש
ת
ָה
0 2 yr a u n aJ n
ב
ַ
a ר
H ו
n ך ה
ef ם
S
f ש
et
CHAPTER TWO: The Vowel Scheme
9
sufformative conjugation, conjugation, which would be used used to congure the Hophal Imperfect Tense and the Hophal Perfect Tense in that conjugation. So far there is no sample of Hophal Imperative available from the . The two Hophal and Huphal binyanim are rather consistent in the sense that apart from the prostheses, the stem vowels for two of them would be the vowel [ ○ ַ ] ( )פתחin zero vowel sufformative conjugation and consonantal sufformative conjugation. As a general rule, the vocalic sufformative conjugation of all binyanim would go to through the process of abdication of the hind consonant and shortening the stem vowel. The same procedure would be applicable to the conjugation of Hophal and Huphal binyanim . As a matter of general pattern, passive participle outside the Simple binyan would assume a [ ○ ָ ] ( ) as stem vowel pairing with the prosthesis of each respective binyan in zero vowel binyan in sufformative conjugation, and the feminine singular would assume a segholate noun ending; for the declension of the plural participles, masculine and feminine, would be a regular pattern for masculine plural noun ending and feminine plural noun ending.
ך”תנ
קמץ
2.9 Only six or seven verbs ( , to have appeared in all the seven namely the Old Testament.
עלד פקד, ידע, חלה, גלה, )בקעare found בנייניםin the Hebrew Bible ( ך”)תנ,
a u n aJ בna רH ו ך n e הff שet םS
d e v or p Im 1 1 0 2 yr
.
2.10 The system of the Hebrew verbs, not totally unlike English, consists of ֹופ ַּה ֵםש ׁ ), two Participles ( ִיםֹנונ ֵיב ּ ֵלע ֹּו)פ, one Past two Innitives ( ֵלע Tense (ַרב ָע ַןמ ְז ), one Imperfect Tense ( ִידָתע ַןמ ְז ), and the Imperative ), the Jussive ( (ִיוויצ ), the Cohortative, the Wav Consecutive and the Wav Conversive.
ּ ּ
ת י ו ו י של
2.11 With the exception of the innitives, these forms are conjugated to reflect number (singular or plural), person (rst I , second you , or third he/she ) and gender (masculine or feminine) of its subject. In the case of the Participles, only number and gender would be required. To congure a verb, a student must learn up the three forms of conjugations, namely, the zero vowel sufformative conjugation, the consonantal sufformative
Hebrew Verbal System
10
conjugation and the vocalic (vowel) sufformative conjugation. The same principle would be applicable to the inflection of verbs in all forms, depending on the person, gender or number involved. Different textbook would offer different approach on inflexion of the Hebrew verbs. Student could choose one that best suits his learning habit. 2.12 As in the case with any other languages, a word in Hebrew consists of vowels and consonants. The consonantal root of the Hebrew words are signicant, so are the respective default vowels, which could be shortened or lengthened, one pair for each verbal form and one pair for each binyan : xed, not mixed, not confused and no cross-over. 2.13 Unlike most Indo-European languages, a verb in the Hebrew language, in most cases, is made up of three consonants (verbs in Modern Hebrew could have up to four or ve letters) with a set of two default vowels assigned to each form, mood or tense, originally not displayed in the writing system, at least not before the Messoretic epoch, forming a two-syllable base of a verb, to appear some what like CVCVC (C = consonant; V = vowel). In the case of two-consonant verbs, actually single syllable word, the verb would conjugate without changes to the root or the stem vowel, as far as possible. As a rule, default vowels are immutable or unchangeable. 2.14 Inspired or not, the default vowels ( ִיםד ִיקו )נformed an essential part of the Hebrew grammar. Each derived stem, each form, mood and tense of the verb is determined by the nature and specic deuce of the default vowels. The sets of default vowels are clearly distinguishable one from the other, not easily giving rise to confusion. In this way, Hebrew is very much a vocalic language.
ּ
. d e v or p mI 1 1 0 2 yr a u n
2.15 A pair of xed vowels, given by default, is assigned to each mood, tense or verbal forms: the Innitive Absolute, the Innitive Construct, the Active Participle, the Passive Participle, the Perfect Tense, the Imperative, the
a J n ב
a ר
H ו
n ך ה
ef ם
S
f ש
et
CHAPTER TWO: The Vowel Scheme
Cohortative, the Jussive and the Imperfect Tense in the Qal binyan . Each of these enjoys a brace of default vowel of its own; and for the other binyanim , the non-Qal binyanim , would utilise the same deuce of default vowels as that expressed by the Innitive Construct of each binyan , or in its absence, that of the Innitive Absolute to congure the various forms of the verb for each binyan .
11
Refexive, Reciprocal
ַלע ְפ ִנ
Passive
Active
Niph’al
עַל ָפ /קַל
ַלע ְפ ִנ
ֵלע ַפ ְּת ִה Hithpa’el
Pa’al
עַל ֻּפ
ֵלע ּפ ִ
Pu’al
Pi’el
ַלע ְפ ֹוה /ַלע ְפ ָה
ִילְעפ ִה
Hiphil
Hophal/ Huphal read this direction.
Groups Group 1 Simple / Absolute Group2 Intensive also known as D-stem group Group 3 Causative
←
2.16 The two default vowels, the rst and the second vowel, or a head and pillion (head and stem), interplays with the rules of vowel reduction or elongation under the influence of shifting accent or stress as and whenever a syllable is added by way of personal pronoun afxes, together with the presence or absence of the laryngeal or guttural consonants, to create meaning for the verb.
.
a u n aJ בna רH ו ך n e הff שet םS
d e v or p Im 1 1 0 2 yr
2.17 The verb has its base form in the Innitive. Like English which has the full innitive and the bare innitive, there are two of these in Hebrew: (i) the Innitive Absolute, which appeared some what like the bare innitive; (ii) the Innitive Construct, known as the building block of the verb in Hebrew (ִיםנ ֹּו בע ֵ ֹּופ ַה ). In cases where the verb does not have a known form of the Innitive Construct, the Innitive Absolute is used instead. The default vowels of the Innitive Absolute in the Qal binyan are built around a deuce of [ ֹו+○ ָ ] (ֵאל ָמ ַםל ֹהו+ֶץמ ָק ), which actually reflects the vowels in the word for Innitive Absolute in Hebrew: וֹר ָקמ.
Hebrew Verbal System
12
The Innitive of the seven derived stems Hophal Hiphil Hi Hitpa’el Pu’al Pi’el Ni’phal
Qal
Pa’el
לט ְַק ה ָ ִילְטק ה ַ לט ֵּ ק ְַת ִה לע ַ פ ֻּ
לע ֵ פ ַּ
לט ֵ ק ָּ ה ִ לט ֹ ק ְ
2.18 Hebrew verbs are expressed in seven : these are the Qal stem and six derived stems, including the Niph’al, Pi’el, Pu’al, Hithpa’el, Hiphil, and Hophal, grouped into three main groupings, Other ways nomenclature The vowel patterns in these Qal G stem; qatal, qatel, qatol would be used as N stem; niqtal, the basis for conjugation Nif’al or inflection of the verb for Pi’el D stem; qittel each stem, both the strong, Dp stem; quttal dynamic as well as the Pu’al irregular and weak verbs. Hif’il H stem; hiqtil
ב נ י י נ ים
ב נ י י נ ים
Hof’al
Hp stem; hoqtal
Hitp Hi tpaa’e ’ell
HtD Ht D ste stem; m; hi hitq tqaatt tteel
2.19 These three groupings are: (i) The simple group, which includes the Qal and Niph’al; . d
(ii) The Intensive group, which consists of Pi’el, Pu’al and the Hitpa’el. The Hitpa’el is the reflexive stem, which for practical purpose and convenience, is placed together with the Intensive stem group throughout this grammar. e v or p mI 1 1 0 2 yr a
(iii) The Causative group, which consists of Hiphil and Hophal. u n aJ n ב
a ר
(iv) There are other minor stems, i.e. Palel, Palal, and the like.
H ו
n ך ה
ef ם
S
f ש
et
CHAPTER TWO: The Vowel Scheme
13
(v) The rare stems Needless to say, there are other ways of naming the binyanim .
2.20 The identication of these is to be based on the default vowels. Once again for emphasis, there are ve pairs of these default vowels in use in the vowel schemes, for instance, in the Qal stem. It is out of these ve pairs default vowels that other forms of the verb are to be derived for the verb: namely, the Perfect Tense, the Participles (Active and Passive), the Imperative, the Jussive, the Cohortative, the Imperfect Tense and the Wav Conversive.
ב נ י י נ ים
2.21 By nature, the Innitive is the base form of a verb: both the Innitive Absolute and the Innitive Construct, while in effect the Innitive Construct is a reduced form of Innitive Absolute, given allowance that some grammar textbooks might not agree to this. In cases where the Innitive Construct of a verb is uncertain, the Innitive Absolute would be used. 2.22 In the Table 2.18, the coloured syllable (CV and or CVC combination) at the head of the root are verbal prosthesis, not part of the verbal root. These prostheses are the key signature for each respective . In stems . d e that do not have the prosthesis, the head vowel would assume that role.
בניין
v or p mI 1
ך
ה ש ם
ב ר ו
2.23 1 Like other languages, Hebrew in the early stage of development was 0 2 yr chiefly a spoken language. Originally the verb, as in the case of all a u other words in the language, was unmarked with vowel signs, the vowel n aJ pointings or nikudim ( ), when the written form of the language n a , speech and H was rst emerged. In the early days, even without n ef communication were coherent and intelligible to the native speaker of f et the language as the vowel schemes used in the verbal system was simple,
ניקודים
S
ניקודים
Hebrew Verbal System
14
The ve pairs of default vowel are:
Sample
The scheme
[ ֹו+○ ָ]
1
ֹטול ָק
2
ַלט ָק
[○ ַ +○ָ ]
3
לָט ּוק
4
ֵלט ֹק
[○+○ ֹ]
ֹלְטק
5
Hebrew Default vowel scheme to be used in names Hebrew verbs in the Qal Stem.
וֹר ָקמ
To be used in the Qal Innitive Absolute.
ַרב ָע
To be used in the Qal Perfect Tense or the Preterite.
ָ] [ו+○
ּ
לָע ּופ ּ
To be used in the Qal Passive Participle.
ֵ
ֵלע ֹופ ּ
To be used in the Qal Active Participle.
ֹ ְ
[○+○]
ֹותּנב ְִל
To be used in the Qal Innitive Construct and other forms of the verb, i.e, the Qal Imperative, the Qal Jussive, the Qal Cohortative and the Qal Imperfect.
consistent and unambiguous. It was not until sometime in the second half of the rst millennium in the Christian era that the Tiberian Masoretic were added to the triconsonantal root. There were other systems of nikudim of nikudim in use, parallel to the Tiberian system.
ניקודים
. d e v
2.24 The Default Vowel Schemes or p mI 1 1 0
Vowel Scheme for the Qal Innitive Groups a
b
[
ֹו+○ָ]
[ ֹו+○ְ ]
2 yr a
To be used in the Qal Innitive Absolute, as the vowels in the Hebrew word: ֹור ָק מorigin or Infnitive. To be used in the Qal Innitive Construct and other verbal forma of the Qal stem, as the vowels in the word: תנ ֹוב ְּ to build .
u n a J n ב
a ר
H ו
n ך ה
ef ם
S
f ש
et
CHAPTER TWO: The Vowel Scheme
15
There are ve yoke of vowels being used in the Qal stem in the verbal system of the Hebrew language, forming a template of two vowels in each pair. 2.25 These ve pairs of primary default vowels are:
i
ii
Vowel Scheme for the Qal Perfect Tense To be used in the Qal Innitive Absolute, as the vowels in the word: ֹור ָקמ. Compare the pair with ○] the default vowels in the Perfect Tense given below.
ֹו+ָ
[
ַ+○ָ]
[○
To be used in the Qal Perfect Tense, as the vowels ָע or ָרב ָע for ה/א" לverbs, where in the word: ַרב the double קמץwould be due to the hind consonant is a weak alphabet in the root.
2.26 Vowel Scheme for the Qal Participles: ִיםנ ֵֹינוב ּ To be used in the Qal Passive Participle, as the ○] vowels in the word: ָע לפ ּ.
ּו+ָ
i
[
ii
[○ֵ+○ֹ ]
ּו
To be used in the Qal Active Participle, as the vowels in the word: ֵלע ֹפ ּ.
.
ך
ה ש ם
ב ר ו
ef f et S
a J n a H n
1 0 2 yr a u n
v or p mI 1
d e
The vowels in other binyanim and each minor or rare stem operate with the same principle as that of the ve primary forms and four secondary forms of each stem.
2.27 Grouping of the Vowel Scheme These ve pairs of default vowels could be broadly lumped into two groups: the Innitive group and the Participle group.
Hebrew Verbal System
16
2.28 The Innitive group could be further branched out into the Innitive Absolute and the Preterite, or the Innitive Construct. 2.29 For the Qal Preterite group, take a look at the vowels in the Qal Innitive ָ] Absolute as each of the two pairs shared a common rst, head vowel [ ○ ( ).
קמץ
2.30 Another group, derived from the ve yoke of vowels forming the Participle group, consists of two members, namely the Passive Participle (ּע לפ ָ ) and the Active Participle ( ֵלע ֹּו)פ.
ּו
2.31 Alternatively, the ve pairs of primary default vowels could be grouped into two groups: that is, [ ○] ( ) and non-[○] ( ) group. In any case, how the vowels are to be schemed would not disrupt the function and purpose of the default vowels. The groupings are mere attempts to give the vowel formats some sense of coherence and consistency, some
ָ קמץ
ָ קמץ
Extended application of the vowels in Qal Innitive Construct To be used in the Qal Imperative by adding the appropriate personal pronoun afxes directly to the a ○ vowel scheme, as the vowels in the word: ֹבּתכ ְ you man must write.
[ ֹו+ְ ]
b
[ ֹו+○ְ ]
To be used in the Qal Cohortative by adding the appropriate personal pronoun afxes directly to the vowel scheme, as the vowels in the word: ָהב ּת ְְכ ֶא Let me write or I must write. . d e v or p mI 1 1 0
c
[ ֹו+○ְ ]
2 yr
To be used in the Qal Jussive by adding the appropriate personal pronoun afxes directly to the vowel scheme, as the vowels in the word: ֹטפ ּׁש ְִי Let him decide, making adjustment for the contiguous in the head consonant.
a u n a J n ב
a ר
H
ש ו וא ים
ו
n ך ה
ef ם
S
f ש
et
CHAPTER TWO: The Vowel Scheme
d
e
[ ֹו+○ְ ] [ ֹו+○ְ ]
17
To be used in the Qal Imperfect Tense by adding the appropriate personal pronoun afxes directly to ֶּא the vowel scheme, as the vowels in the word: תב ֹ ְכ I’ll write. To be used in the Wav Conversive by adding the appropriate personal pronoun afxes directly to the vowel scheme, as the vowels in the word: and he said (and he will say).
ֶראמֹוַ ּ֫י
sort of workable principles. 2.32 The Qal Innitive Construct, which vowel scheme in effect is a reduced form from the Qal Innitive Absolute, would be used to generate the Qal Imperative, the Qal Jussive, the The Qal Innitive Absolute Qal Cohortative and the Qal Imperfect, vowel scheme: ֹור ָקמ [ ○ָ ] the Innitive derivatives, by directly Strong to kill ל ו ט ָ ק adding the necessary or relevant ֹ verb personal pronoun afxes to the default Guttural to stand ד ו מ ָ ע ֹ vowel scheme, as all of these extended ח/ע”פ forms of the verb share a common to fall ֹלָפו נ פ ”נ vowel template with the Qal Innitive to nurse ֹנקָ י פ ”י Construct. Adjustment to the default to return ֹוׁב ָש י פ ”ו deuce, however, would be made in ”ע to choose וֹר ָחב ּ Guttural response to the presence or absence of guttural consonant in the verbal root, to rise up ֹם קוHollow especially in cases where the head to reveal ֹוה ָלּג ל ”ה consonant of the root could not receive to wage war ֹאָבו צ ל ”א
ֹו+
a u n a J בna רH ו ך n e הff שet םS
d e v or p Im 1 1 0 2 yr
.
שווא נע.
2.33 Extended application of the Qal Innitive Construct to form other Tenses and Moods: The Qal Imperative, Qal Cohortative, Qal Jussive, the Qal Imperfect Tense and Wav Conversive are extended application of the default vowels given in the Innitive Construct as all of these forms of the Hebrew Moods and Tense share the same vowel scheme as that of
Hebrew Verbal System
18
the Qal Innitive Construct. 2.34 ) The Base Form of the Verb: The Innitive ( וֹר ָקמ The Hebrew Innitives, both the Innitive Absolute and the Innitive Construct, as in the case with the English Innitive, are the base form of the verb from which conguration into other tenses would take place. The vowel scheme shown in the Table 2.24 is to be used in the Qal Innitive Absolute. 2.35 Default vowel scheme for the Qal Innitive Absolute is given as a duo of [ו+○] ( + ), which combination reflects the vowels used in the word וֹר ָק מorigin origin or or Innitive . This splice of vowels would be used for all verbs in the Qal Innitive Absolute, the strong as well as the weak verbs, except the Qal binyan of Hollow Verbs, which are mostly singlesyllable verbs that loads a [ ] ( ) in the syllable as the main, sole vowel. Hollow verbs could be given two other default vowels.
ֹ ָ ק מ ץ ה ולם מלא
הולם מלא ֹו
2.36 In certain cases the [ ] ( ) used in the Innitive Absolute could be written as [ ○] (ֵרס ) would ָח ֵםל ֹ )הוinstead. The vowel [ ] ( not be used in Tenses or verbal form other than the Innitive Absolute. Hence, the shorter form of the Innitive Absolute would be used as the base, the template, to install other forms of the verb in cases where there are two formats of the Innitive Absolute, such as the Niph’al and Pi’el.
ֹ
הולם מלא ֹו
הולם מלא ֹו
. d e v or
2.37 The Innitive Absolute is the base form of the verb from which the Qal Perfect Tense and the Qal Passive Participle of the Hebrew verbs are to be derived since these two verbal forms share some vowel features common in the vowel scheme of the Qal Innitive Absolute, namely [ ] ( ) pairing. By the same token, the same principle is operative in other derived stems of the verb.
הולם מלא+קמץ
p mI 1 1 0 2 yr
ֹו
a u n a J n ב
a ר
H ו
n ך ה
ef ם
S
f ש
et
CHAPTER TWO: The Vowel Schememe
19
2.38 The Innitive Absolute of the Weak Verbs Taking Qal binyan as a working example, the set of identical vowels would binyan as work in the weak verbs in the same manner as in the dynamic, strong verbs. In certain cases the pillion, stem vowel [ ] ( ) is ָח ֵםל ֹ)הו. written as [○] (ֵרס
הולם מלא ֹו+קמץ
ֹ
2.39 In the Qal Innitive Absolute, verbs ending in the strong gutturals, namely [ ] (ִןַי )עor [ ] (ֵית)ח, tend to take one ָהב ַח גנות ַּפ ּ (pathach ) furtive) placed beneath the hind consonant of the root that has [ ] (ִןַיע or [ ] (ֵית)ח, as the in the sample world ַ wind . These two consonants will be discarded or assumed other alphabet in the Qal Innitive Construct, the Qal Perfect Tense or other forms of the verb.
ע
ח
ח
פתח גנובה
ּ ְּ
ּחרו
ע
2.40 Hollow verbs are single-syllable verbs that have [ ] ( ) or [ ] ( ) in the middle radical of a biconsonantal root. Feature such as this would be visible only in the Qal Innitive Construct, Qal Imperative, Qal Imperfect form of the verb, verb, as well as in the Hiphil binyan ; but not in the Qal Perfect and Qal Participles as the seemingly middle [ ] ( ) of the Hollow verbs would be eliminated in the process of transforming or inflection from the Qal Innitive Absolute to the Qal Perfect Tense.
ד יֹיו
וָו ו
ד יֹיו
ך
ב ש ם
ב ר ו
2.41 The Rare Stems There are a few unusual stems known as the rare stems. What . commonly known as the minor stems are actually the Intensive stems d e v for the monosyllable verbs or the Hollow verbs. As such, grammatical or p information pertaining to the minor stems, namely, the Polel, the Polal mI 1 and the Hithpolel, would be covered under the heading of the Hollow 1 0 verb. The rare stem verbs would be those verbs coming under the 2 yr a purview of the Poel, the Poal, Hithpoel, which are essentially the same as u n aJ Pi’el, Pu’al and Hithpa’el in function and meaning, but with a somewhat n different vowel format. Under the general heading of rare stem verbs a H there is another group of verbs which members consist of the Palel, the n ef f Pulal and the Hithpalel. In addition to these, there are a few more: the e t S
Hebrew Verbal System
20
Pipel, Polpel and Hithpalpel, which could be lumped into a group by itself. That would leave the Pealal as the sole member in the last group. How many groups are there: Polel, Polal, Hithpolel Poel, Poal, Hithpoel Palel, Pulal, Hithpalel Pilpel, Polpel, Hithpalpel Pealal • • • • •
2.42 Nomenclature is a good source of nightmare in Hebrew grammar. For instance, the Polel, essentially is the same as the Pi’el, which also seemed to be known as the Pilel in Gesenius and Brown-Driver-Briggs lexicon; but it is not mentioned in other grammar textbooks. Whereas the Polal, which in effect is the same as Pu’al, which in turn is the passive form of the intensive Pi’el, appears to be the same as what is called Pulal in New Englishman’s Hebrew Concordance. Verbs of Poel stem would be referred to Germinate verbs of Pelel type, namely the intensive form of Germinate verb type. 2.43 Actually, there is one more not often heard of stem, known as the Tiphil ְִל ַג ְִרת ּ Tiphil Perfect stem, and it has only one examples in the : ּית rst person common singular I trained in Hosea 11:3, which root is לר ְּת ִ. Hishtaphel ֹתֲוַחת ְּש ִׁה (ל) Innitive Construct 2.44
ך”תנ
ֵּג
ֶהו ֲַחת ְּש ִׁמ Metathesis Mention must be made of an ִיֲוח Imperative fsg ַת ְּש ִׁה interesting feature about how Jussive 3msg ַחת ְּ֫ש ִׁי Hebrew is used by switching Wav consecutive Preterite ַחת ְּ֫ש ִַּׁיו a certain consonant with the prosthesis for easy speech, which appeared to have caused some changes to the verb, but actually no conjugation has been done. In grammar, this is known as metathesis. For instance, the verbal root: to guard , in the Hithpa’el, it is supposed
. d e v or
Participle msg
p mI 1 1 0
ּו ּו
שמר
2 yr a u n a J n ב
a ר
H ו
n ך ה
ef ם
S
f ש
et
CHAPTER TWO: The Vowel Scheme
21
to be ֵרמ ַּש ְׁת ִה , but it would be very difcult for Hishtaphel Imperfect the Hebrew speaker to twist the tongue to utter ֶהו ֲַחת ְּש ִׁי 3msg this word. So the Hebrew people speak and wrote ֶהו ֲח ַת ְּש ִׁת 2msg it as ֵרמ ַּת ְּש ִׁה to be preserved. Another example of ֶהו ֲח ַת ְּש ֶׁא 1csg this form of metathesis would be the word: ַצד ָק Hishtaphel Perfect / Preterite ֵַט ְצ ִה . It seems when righteous , written as ּקד ָהו ֲח ַת ְּש ִׁה 3ms a verb is headed by a strong consonant, such as [ ] (ּיתט ִ ), it may be required to go through ָהת ִיֲוח ַת ְּש ִׁה 3fs similar maneuver, as in the case with the verb: ת ָ ִיֲ֫וח ַת ּׁש ְִה 2ms to be contaminated , would be written as ִיי֫תֲִוח ַת ְּש ִׁה 2fs ֵאמ ַּט ִּה . Apparently, most occurrence of metathesis ִייתֲִוח ַת ְּש ִׁה 1cs ֫ involved only the Hithpa’el stem. ֲוח ַת ְּש ִׁה 3cp
ט
ט מא
ּו
2.45 Hishtaphel There is one controversial verb in Hebrew for the expression to bow down in order to worship. It is used only in the Hishtaphel in the . Older grammar textbooks believed that the verb came from the root: ָהח ָש ׁ . Contemporary research drawing resource from Ugarit suggests that it might have come from the root with ת ְּש ִׁה as the prosthesis or verbal prex, known as the Shaphel stem ( ), equating it with the Hiphil in Hebrew. It seems this position is being reversed to the older opinion. Is the case fait accompli ? Be that as it may, the word is now appeared as: in the innitive Construct.
ך”תנ
הוח
שפעל
לחשתחוה
.
ב ר ו ך
ה ש ם
ef f et S
a J n a H n
0 2 yr a u n
or p mI 1 1
d e v
2.46 Quadriliterals Quadriliterals are verbs come in four consonants, as it is dened by the term. Not many of these are in currency in the .
ך”תנ
2.47 The population of quadriliteral words in the is small, yet signicant. A popular sample of these words would included: ֵלכ ; ְּל ִכ ּ (Qal Pilpel Innitive ּלכ ְֵל ַכ ּ to support , to sustain ; 1 Kings 8:27), ֵרכ ְּר ּכ ִ (Pilpel ְפ ִצ (Pilpel to gyrate , to swirl , to dance ; 2 Samuel 6:14), ֵףצ ְר ִק , 10:14) (Pilpel to peep , to chirp , Isaiah ֵרק to tear down , to ֲַע ׁ ש ִ (Pilpel smash , Isaiah 22:5), ע to be amused , to delight , to be ׁש
ך”תנ
צפף
כרר
שעע
וּל כ
קרר
Hebrew Verbal System
21
תעע
entertained , Psalm 94:19), ּעת to mock , to burlesque , to ְֵע ּת ִ (Pilpel t o sweep ִאט (Pilpel Perfect 3ms to hold in contempt , Genesis 27:12), ֵאט ׂ ְג ִש ׂ (Pilpel away Isaiah 14:23), ֵגש to raise , to flourish , to prosper , Isaiah 17:11). Some of these words could be termed as verbs.
ּג ׂו ש
פ י על
2.48 Qal Passive Generally, the Niph’al is already the passive form of the Qal stem. There are, however, some verbs which are marked or vocalized as Pu’al or Hophal in the that seemed to be more in accord with the Niph’al stem. To distinguish them from the Niph’al, the term Qal passive has been used to depict these verbs. Few popular sample of this group would be the verbs: , , .
ך”תנ
לקח הורד קבד
2.49 The Participles: ִיםֹננ ֵיב ּ There are two Participles in the Hebrew language: the Passive Participle (ָעולפ ). Usually the active form of ּ ) and the Active Participle ( a binyan would have the Active participle, and the Passive form of a derived stem would have the Passive Participle, which means the Pi’el, the Hiphil, the Hithpa’el would have the Active Participle, but without Passive Participle; whereas the Niph’al, the Pu’al, the Hophal would have the Passive Participle, but no the Active Participle. Only the Qal stem has both the Active and Passive Participle; hence, it appears to have a little confusion out there.
ּ
ֵלועֹ פ
. d e v or p
2.50 Except the Qal stem which does not have a prosthesis for the Participles, ְ ] ( ֶםמ ) as the Participles of all other binyanim binyanim of of the verb would have [ מ the prosthesis for Pi’el, Pu’al, Hithpa’el, Hiphil and Hophal. The Hophal has two Passive Participles, each with merely a different vowel: or ּוץֻבק . The Niph’al has [ ) ( ]ְנas the prosthesis for the Participle.
ּ
ּןנו
mI 1 1 0 2 yr a u
קמץ
n a J n ב
a ר
H ו
n ך ב
ef ם
S
f ש
et
CHAPTER TWO: The Vowel Scheme
23
2.51 The Passive Participle is used as adjectives, as the way the Past Participle is used in English, as shown in the sample word: ָתובכ ּ written . For ָ ) (ּוץֻבק +ֶץמ ָק ) in the the Qal Passive Participle, the duo vowels of [ +○ vowel scheme, which actually reflects the vowels of the Hebrew word for Passive Participle ָעולפ ּ , which resembles rather closely but should not be confused with the default vowels for the Qal Innitive Absolute: ). The Passive Participle of all the other ֹור ָק [ מ+○ָ ] ( ָ] non-Qal binyanim would have the respective prosthesis loading the [ ○ ( ) as the stem or theme vowel, allowing adjustment for feminine sufformative conjugation, which follows either one pattern of the feminine noun.
ּו
ּ
ּ
ּ
ֹו
הולם מלא+קמץ
קמץ
2.52 As the case in the Passive Participle, the default vowels in the Qal Active Participle reflect the vowels used in the Hebrew word for Active Participle ֵלע ). In Modern Hebrew, the ֹפ, that is [○ֵ +○ֹ ] (צרי ֹ ]( vowel [ ] ( ) is used instead of [ ○ ) in the Active Participle, which would make the verb to appear like ֵבת ֹ( כוhe ) writes . The Active Participle is used as the Present Tense ( ) in classical as well as Modern Hebrew, as the way it is being used in English; but unlike English, it does not require the use of verb to be in the formation of Hebrew Present Tense, especially so in sentences depicting a situation or a simple connecting relationship between the subject and the predicate. Usually, this is termed as verbless or zero verb sentence. The participles would be conjugated to agree in number and gender with the nouns and . d pronouns associated with them; it may precede or follow the subject of e v or the sentence. Other than the Active Participle, there are other ways to p mI express the sense and meaning of a Present Tense in Hebrew.
הולם מלא ֹו
+הולם חסר הולם חסר
ֶהווֹ ה
1 0 2 yr a u n
ך
ב ש ם
ב ר ו
1
2.53 a The Perfect Tense: ַרב ָע ַןמ ְז J n a Similar operation of the template vowels could be seen at work from H n + ) in the Qal Perfect ַ +○ָ ] ( ef the yoke of default vowels [ ○ f et Tense, where the stem vowel is a reduction from [ ] ( )
קמץ פתח
S
הולם חסר ֹו
Hebrew Verbal System
24
under heavy stress, unmarked, hence invisible, when it falls on the ָע he crossed over . Default last syllable, as the vowels in the word ַרב vowels for the Qal Perfect Tense would be [ ○ ), but it ַ +○ָ ] ( ָ +○ָ ] ( ֵ ֶדמ ָל ) verbs and [ ] is [○ ) in the case of [ ] (ה ( ) verbs, simply because the rear and are, as a general rule, vowelless and mute; thus as a compensation, the preceeding vowel ָב ּ he created , would be lengthened, as the vowels in the sample word ָאר reflecting the vowels in: ָרב ָע .
קמץ+קמץ למד־אלף
ה”ל
א
־
פתח+קצץ ה
א”ל
2.54 The Qal Perfect Tense is used as an illustration on how does the mechanism of default vowel scheme scheme work, and the same principle would be applicable to other , such as, the Pi’el, Hiphil, and so on.
ב נ י י נ ים
2.55 Default Vowel Scheme: A summary of group By the natural design of the language, it is really unnecessary to rote learn the verbal paradigms in Hebrew, as the vowels used in the verbal system are rather xed by default, each form of the verb is assigned with a denite pair of vowels: the whole system is consistent and not confusing. What a student really needs to do is to understand how the ve couples of the primary vowels in the scheme would operate; and the other four deuces, which actually is only one pair, namely, the duo used in the Innitive Construct of each binyan , the way how the deuce vowels would response to the presence of a guttural or weak consonant in any one position of the root, which means, more often than not, the position being the one experiences the most frequent mutation. As taking up the position of the rst or head syllable, it is the rules for contiguous and propretonic reduction of the head vowel during pluralization compel the vowel changes to take place; and in the case of the stem or the pillion syllable, it would be abdication of the hind consonant and shortening of the stem vowel during conjugation induced by afxing pronominal sufxes, both vocalic and consonantal sufxes, to the root. This rule is rather universal. Reduction of vowel would not occur to unchangeable long vowel, such as . Details of the rules and mechanic of operation and procedures are set out under the heading of
קמץ
”פ
. d e v or p mI
ש ו וא ים
1 1 0 2 yr a u n aJ n ב
a ר
H ו
היריק מלא
n ך
ef f
ם
ה ש
S
et
CHAPTER TWO: The Vowel Scheme
25
syllable, vowels rules and conjugation. The Hebrew language speaks in vowels. 2.56 Verbs of nonnonbinyanim: based default vowels Admittedly, the term nonbinyanim could be misleading. The Innitive Construct of each binyan binyan is is the base form to congure other what is known as the secondary forms of the verbs: namely, the Imperative, the Cohortative, the Jussive and the Imperfect Tense, also known as the Innitive derivatives. These forms of the verbs share a common head vowel, for instance, in the case of Qal stem, the , which required adjustment in response to the presence of a weak or guttural consonant at the head of the verbal root; for other , the prosthesis of each would be used together with the stem, pillion vowel.
קמץ
קמץ
ש ו וא נ ע
ב נ י י נ ים
בניין
2.57 Default vowels in the Imperative: ַצוויה ֶךר ֶד ּ The Imperative Mood is used to issue command or instruction to the second person singular and plural, masculine and feminine. The Cohortative and Jussive would be used in the case of the rst person and third person respectively to achieve a similar volitional purpose.
ּ ּ
2.58 The Innitive Construct, the Imperative, the Jussive and the Cohortative of each binyan binyan share share a brace of default vowels vo wels identical with the twosome used in the Innitive Construct of each respective . The shape of the Innitive, as in many languages, is identical with the Imperative. . d For instance, “to go” is the full Innitive in the English language. By e v or removing the lead preposition “to” the bare innitive is formed, thus the p mI verbal form “go” is obtain, which in effect is the Imperative. So is the 1 1 same with the Hebrew language.
ב נ י ין
0 2 yr a u n
ך
ה ש ם
ב ר ו
2.59 a The Imperative is found or in currency in the Active binyanim including binyanim including J n a the two members in the Simple stems: the Qal and the Niph’al. To H n ef install the Imperative, which virtually is the Innitive Construct of each f et respective active voice binyan , the same set of default vowels would be S
Hebrew Verbal System
26
used. Except the Niph’al, which is a passive, there is no Imperative for all other passive binyanim . The Niph’al Imperative, as the case with other active binyanim , takes [ ○ ֵ ] (ֶיֵרצ ) as the pillion vowel. A distinction between dynamic verbs and stative verbs must be made when installing the Imperative of each binyan , as each would take on qutie a different vowel for a theme vowel. 2.60 The Imperative in Hebrew is conjugated for second person both gender and number by adding one of the three sufformatives, namely, (the ): there is no sufformative for second person masculine singular for the Hebrew Imperative, which by nature is a zero vowel sufformative conjugation.
נה-ו-י
נה”יו
Imperative sufformative plural singular person
ּו--ָהנ---
2m
ִי○
2f
2.61 The Cohortative and Jussive: א ִ The Cohortative and Jussive, which required personal pronoun afxes, the base vowels of these two forms of the verbs are the same as the vowel scheme used in the Innitive Construct of each respective derived stem. Under certain condition the stem vowel for Cohortative could take a vowel [○ ) such as at the presence of a laryngeal. ֶ] (
ּיוּו י
סג ו ל
2.62 The Cohortative is conjugated for the rst person only, both singular and plural, common gender. The sufx would not be added to verbs as this category of the verb is already being given a [ ] ) in the rare position (ֵאה position by default.
ה”ל
ה
. d e
Cohortative sufformative plural
singular
ָה--- --ְנ
ָה--ֶ - --א
2.63 The same principle and operative manner would be applicable to install the verbal root into Jussive mood by adding the key pronominal preformative
v or p mI 1 1 0 2 yr a u n aJ n ב
a ר
H ו
n ך ה
ef ם
S
f ש
et
CHAPTER TWO: The Vowel Scheme
27
for the third person singular and plural of Jussive Preformative the Imperfect verb, which has been given plural singular by default and the vowels identical to those in the Innitive Construct of each ---ִי ו---ִי derived stem. The plural of Jussive looks quite similar to the pronominal of third person of Imperfect, but should not be confused by it.
ּ
2.64 These broad principles shall be applicable to all binyanim of the Hebrew binyanim of verb: namely, the Qal, the Pi’el, the Hiphil and so on; the active and passive voice of Qal, the Intensive forms and the Causative forms, both the strong as well the weak verbs and other .
ב נ י י נ ים
2.65 The Imperfect Tense: ִידָתע The Imperfect Tense of the Hebrew verb, used as the Future Tense, is obtained by adding personal pronoun afxes, the (also known as the preformatives), both prexes and sufxes, the (the pronominal sufformatives for the Imperfective) , embedding the verbal root, using the same deuce of the theme or default vowels as they are given in the Innitive Construct of each binyan , making adjustment to contiguous and or [○ ֲ] ( ) (composite shewa) when a weak or guttural consonant is present at the head of the root, or virtually any other position of the . The stem vowel for the Qal Imperfect Tense, ַ] ( ֹ ]( except for the Stative Verbs, which take [ ○ ) instead of [ ○ ) as stem or theme vowel, is the same as those used in the Qal . d Innitive Construct—stative verb with a laryngeal or guttural may not e v or load the [ ○ ) as stem vowel. Adjust the stem vowel or the pillion ַ] ( p mI vowel of the verbal root to [ ○ ) if the personal pronoun sufx (the ְ]( 1 ) to be added begins with a vowel (the vocalic) and the abdication 1 0 2 yr of the hind consonant from the pillion syllable, which would merge with a the vowel from the pronominal to form a new syllable. Beware of the u n a accent shift. The presence of a laryngeal or guttural consonant in the J n a second or pillion syllable of the root would require the stem or theme H n ) and or ֲ] ( ef vowel under the pillion syllable to be adjusted for [ ○ f et the rules for , that is, compensatory lengthening or virtual doubling,
ן”אית נה”יו
ש ו וא ים
חטף שווא
שורש
חתפ
ח ולם
חתפ
נה”יו
ך
ה ש ם
ב ר ו
S
דגש
חסר
אווש
ו ׁואחטף ש
Hebrew Verbal System
28
must come to play when adding personal pronoun afxes to verbs other than the Qal stem. 2.66 The Wav Consecutive There are two forms of vav-consecutive (i. e., follow the tense of the previous verb) operative in Biblical Hebrew: the wayyiqtol ִַּי)ו, that wayyiqtol ((ֹלְטק is, an imperfect form of the verb is prexed by [ ָו ( ]ו )וand vowelled [ ○ ַּ ] ּ ה ] ( ה ַ ); and the ( + ), resembles the vowels used in the article [ ַ○ weqatal , where a perfect form of the verb is similarly prexed by [ ָו( ]ו)ו. A verb in the Imperfect tense leads a sequence of perfect verb prexed with vav to each verb is termed the weqatal. A verb in the Perfect tense leads a sequence of imperfect verb prexed with vav [ ָו( ]ו )וto each verb is termed the vav-consecutive Imperfect or the wayyiqtol . The function and purpose of these two forms has been variously understood and propagated in textbooks. The wayyiqtol become obsolete in Late Biblical Hebrew. The general advice given in Hebrew grammar textbooks is to translate the vav-consecutive Imperfect as past tense in English or its equivalent. It is worth while to bear in mind that that the magic of conversion is not done by adding the consonant [ ָו( ]ו )וto the verb, rather it is a signal that the meaning of the verb must be reckoned differently.
פתח דגש
2.67 At this stage of research, the pedagogical insight is that wayyiqtol and weqatal should weqatal should not be treated as a single class of “vav-prexed” verbal forms. Rather, they are quite distinct from each other. New researches carried out by John Cook, Robert Holmstedt in “The vav-prexed verb forms in elementary Hebrew grammar,” The Journal of Hebrew —16 6 , and other on Biblical Scriptures , Volume 8: Article 3 (2008), pp2 — 1 Hebrew indicate that the prexed yiqtol form in wayyiqtol (the vavconversive) is not the same as the Imperfect, but rather preserves an older prexed preterite form that has fallen out of general use. . d es i v er 1 1 0 2 yr a u n aJ n
ב
a ר
H ו
n ך ב
ef ם
S
f ש
et
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