Hebrew for Bible Readers

Verb forms for shades of meaning, part III

In our two previous lessons (see Hebrew for Bible Readers, BR 08:04 and Hebrew for Bible Readers, BR 08:05) we examined the six verbal patterns derived from the Qal, or simple, conjugation (see first chart). We have studied Niphal, the passive form of Qal; Piel, which expresses intensive action; Pual, the passive form of Piel; and Hiphil, which expresses causative action.

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

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