Hebrew for Bible Readers

Verb forms for shades of meaning

It’s time to meet the six verbal patterns derived from the simple conjugation (Qal). For examples we will use strong roots in which all three consonants are retained in all forms. Before we begin, review the patterns for the past, present and future of the Qal form (see Hebrew for Bible Readers, BR 08:01).

The following chart gives the names of the other verbal forms and distinguishes their functions. Hebrew verbs can describe simple, intensive or causative actions; these actions can be active, passive or reflexive:

	Simple	Intensive	Causative
Active	Qal	Piel	Hiphil
	vb'K;	vBeKi	vyBik]hi
	“he subdued”	“he conquered”	“he brought into bondage”
Passive	Niphal	Pual	Hophal
	vB'k]nI	vB'Ku	vBik]h;
	“he was subdued”	“he was conquered”	“he was brought into bondage”
Reflexive (or Passive)		Hithpael
		vBeK't]hi

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