This lesson introduces the Hebrew alphabet and pronunciation.
Letter
Called
Pronunciation
Translit.
א
ʾālêf
silent
ʾ
בּ
ב
bêt
vêt
b
v
b
ḇ
גּ
ג
gîmel
g
g
ḡ
דּ
ד
dālet
d
d
ḏ
ה
hē’
h (hay)
h
ו
wāw
w
w
ז
zayin
z
z
ח
ḥêt
Bach or (c)h-et
ḥ
ט
ṭêt
t
ṭ
י
yôd
y
y
כּ
ך כ
kaf
keep
ch as in Bach
k
ḵ
ל
lāmed
l
l
ם מ
mēm
m
m
ן נ
nûn
n
n
ס
sāmek(h)
s
s
ע
ʿayin
silent or eye-in
ʿ
פּ
ף פ
pē’
p (pay)
f (fay)
p
p̄
ץ צ
ṣādê
ts as in nets
ṣ
ק
qôf
keep
q
ר
rês̆(h)
r
r
שׂ
שׁ
śîn
s̆(h)în
set (seen)
sh as in sheen
ś
š
תּ
ת
tāw
t
t
ṯ
Dagesh Lene
Six consonants may have a dagesh lene in them. A dagesh lene means the consonant is pronounced harder. In Modern Hebrew, three are pronounced differently (פּ, כּ, בּ). A helpful mnemonic to remember the six consonants is BeGaD KePaT.
Gutturals
Gutturals were originally pronounced from the throat. They cannot have a dagesh lene in them. The Gutturals are ר, ע, ח, ה, א.
This lesson introduces vowels. They are written as pointers around the consonants.
Table of full Vowels
Vowel letters were added around 6thC BC, they are known as unchangeable long vowels, or historically long vowels. They are י ו and sometimes ה א. They are known as the matres lectionis, mother of reading in Latin.
Name
Sign
Position
Sound
Illustration
qāmeṣ (קָמַץ)
ָ
אָ
ā
father
pataḥ (c.f. פָּתַח)
ַ
אַ
a
father????
ṣērê
ֵ
אֵ
ē
they
ṣērê-yôd
י ֵ
אֵי
ê
they
sĕgôl
ֶ
אֶ
e
met
ḥîreq-yôd
י ִ
אִי
î
ee machine
ḥîreq
ִ
אִ
i
sit
ḥôlem
ֹ
אֹ
ō
row
ḥôlem-wāw
וֹ
אוֹ
ô
now
qāmeṣ-ḥāṭûp̄
ָ
אָ
o
hot
šûreq
וּ
אוּ
û
rule
qibbûṣ
ֻ
אֻ
u
pull
[הַי ai dipthong like eye]
Half-vowels
ḥāṭēp means hurried. The compound shewas are all vocal.
A short horizontal stroke that joins words. Vowels are often shortened.
Sign of direct object, אֵת
Shows the person or thing upon which the verb is taking place [not used with prepositions]. The sign is אֵת. With a maqqēp̄, this is shortened to אֶת־. [This is only used before definite article or objects, (such as include pronominal suffix, my king)]
Dagesh forte
A dagesh forte is a dot placed in a letter, like a dagesh lene. However, it serves another purpose. It doubles the consonant. The guttural (ר, ע, ח, ה, א) cannot have a dagesh forte.
A dot in any letter other than a dagesh lene is a dagesh forte
A BeGaT KePaT letter is a dagesh lene when not preceded by a vowel sound [Thus, new syllables after long vowel have no dagesh]
A BeGaT KePaT letter is a dagesh forte when preceded by a vowel sound (full or half)
[After vowel, dagesh not in BGDKPT letters, unless disjunctive accent]
Silent Shewa
A silent shewa is written like a vocal shewa(ְ ). However, whereas a vocal shewa begins syllables, a silent shewa ends them.
When two shewas are adjacent, the first will be silent, the second vocal.
Mark the tone syllable (accented syllable) - if not the last syllable. Mûnaḥ ( ֣ ).
Used in synagogue chanting
Punctuation marks:
Disjunctive accents. There are two major disjunctive accents that are placed on accented syllable. Words with these are said to be ‘in pause’. The pause may lengthen the vowels.
ʾatnāḥ ( ֑ ) marks the end of the first ‘half’ of the verse
sillûq ( ֽ ) marks the end of sentence before the sôp̱ pāssûq ( ׃ )
Conjunctive accents.
Meteg
Meteg is a secondary accent. It looks like a sillûq ( ֽ ), but is found on any word.
Meteg marks long vowels that need proper stressing.
They mark short vowels before compound shewas.
They can stand (with long or short vowels) before vocal shewas.
They can be used with unchangeable long vowels before a maqqēp̄.
Meteg's occasionally are placed to the right of the vowel.
Weak Letters
ה and א can become quiescent (silent). א is silent if in the middle or end of a word. ה is silent when it stands as the consonant that ends the word. In such cases, they don't close a syllable.
Maqqîq
Dot inserted into final ה to show (הּ) it's a consonant, not quiescent.
Syllables
A syllable is either open (consonant-vowel) or closed (consonant-vowel-consonant). Word's starting וּ is rare exception.
This table summarises the length of vowels in syllables.
This lesson explains gutturals and introduces the definite article.
Gutturals
Gutturals have special rules.
Gutturals cannot be doubled: compensatory lengthening of vowels
They reject a dagesh forte.
Instead (for ר ע א) the preceding vowel is lengthened.
a class ַ → ָ
e/i class ִ → ֵ
o/u class ֻ → ֹ
For ה and ח a dagesh forte is assumed, but not shown.
Pataḥ furtive - Gutturals tend to take 'a' class vowels before them
A pataḥ furtive _ is inserted between an unchangeable long vowel and guttural. This only occurs at the end of a word and after a non 'a' class unchangeable long vowel. The sounds is a rushed a, it's not a vowel.
Gutturals usually take compound shewas
Usuallyֲ or אֱ. They don’t usually take simple shewas. Vowels before gutturals may change.
Definite article
No indefinite article. Definite articles don’t change for case, gender or number.
Before non-gutturals use ּ הַ
Before ה and ח use הַ
Double by implication, 'virtually doubled'
Before ר ,ע ,א use הָ
Compensatory lengthening of vowel.
Before חָ, unaccented הָ and unaccented עָ [and הֳ] use הֶ
Before יְ and sometimes מְ use הַ
A few (singular form) nouns change internally when prefixed with a definite article – vowel often lengthened to qāmeṣ
הָאָ֣רֶץ → אֶ֣רֶץ
הַר → הָהָר
עַם → הָעָם
גַּן → הַגָּן
פַּר → הַפָּר
חַג → הֶחָג
אֲרוֹן → הָאָרוֹן
[Addendum
Definitive article on abstract nouns can be ignored. 'the gold' = gold.
Nouns are either primitive (without known derivation), derived from verbs or derived from other nouns.
Gender
Hebrew has two genders, masculine and feminine. Gender cannot be determined absolutely from form. However, feminine nouns are easier to spot. (If not obvious, a noun is more commonly masculine.)
Feminine nouns
Female persons or (female) animals
Nouns ending in ה ָ
Several nouns are feminised by adding this suffix (מַלְכָה) [Open syllables (often?) reduce at start of words]
Nouns ending in ת
Nouns that refer to parts of the body that exist in pairs are usually feminine
Number
Nouns come in three classes, singular, plural and dual. We've seen singular.
Nouns becoming plural often undergo internal changes [opening vowels shorten, נְבִיאִים, דְּבָרִים, לְבָבִים, but for unchangeable long vowels occurs later on שׁוֹפְתִים].
Feminine nouns formed by adding a suffix, have their suffix replaced with the plural form.
Masculine plural nouns
Often end ים ִ
A few end וֹת [such as אָבוֹת]
Feminine plural nouns
Most end וֹת (this replaces ה ָ )
A few end ים ִ [such as נָשִׁים]
Masculine and feminine plurals
Some nouns have two endings
End with ים ִ and וֹת
Dual Nouns
These are things that occur in pairs, especially organs of the body '(a pair of) ears'. Possibly some exceptions such as water.
Often in verbless sentences כִּי־עָפָר אַ֣תָּה - for you (are) dust.
אֲנִי, אָנֹכִי
I
1cs
אַתָּה
you
2ms
אַתְּ
you
2fs
הוּא
he/it
3ms
הִיא *
she/it
3fs
אֲנַ֣חְנוּ, נַ֣חְנוּ, אֲנוּ
we
1cp
אַתֶּם
you
2mp
אַתֶּן, אַתֵּ֣נָה
you
2fp
הֵם, הֵ֣מָּה
they
3mp
הֵן, הֵ֣נָּה
they
3fp
* הִוא in Pentateuch
Demonstrative pronouns
This/these
ms
זֶה
fs
זֹאת
cp
אֵ֣לֶּה
That/those
ms
הוּא
fs
הִיא
mp
(הֵ֣מָּה (הֵם
fp
(הֵ֣נָּה (הֵן
Demonstrative pronouns used attributively
Like adjectives, they may be used attributively and agree in gender, number and definiteness. Usually stands after adjectives (if used). [always definite]
הָאָ֣רֶץ הַטּוֹבָה הַזֹּאת - this good land (Deut 4.22)
Demonstrative pronouns used predicatively
Like predicative adjectives, these pronouns don't take the article, but agree with the noun in gender and number. Usually stands before noun.
אֵ֣לֶּה הַדְּבָרִים - These (are) the words (Deut 1.1)
Vocab
אֶ֣בֶן - (f) stone
דּוֹר - generation
יְרוּשָׁלַ֣יִם or יְרוּשָׁלַ֣םִ - Jerusalem
כֹּה - thus
לֶ֣חֶם - bread
מִדְבָּר - wilderness, desert
מָה - What?
מִי - Who?
מִשְׁפָּט - judgement, justice
משֶׁה - Moses
נָבִיא - prophet
נַ֣עַר - lad, youth
נַעֲרָה - (f) maiden, young woman
סֵ֣פֶר - book
פֶּן - lest
רֶ֣גֶל - (f) foot
שֶׁ֣מֶן - oil, fat
תּוֹרָה - (f) law, instruction
Lesson 10
Segholates and the Construct relationship
Segholates
These are bisyllabic words, with a, e or o vowels on first syllable, which itself is always accented. The second vowel often sĕgôl, unless middle or final consonant is guttural (נַ֣עַר).
Forming segholate plurals that begin without a guttural
Masculine nouns ְ ָ ִים, e.g. בְּגָדִים - garments
Feminine nouns ְ ָ וֹת (usually), e.g. דְּלָתוֹת - doors
Forming segholate plurals that begin with a guttural
Similar, but gutturals take composite shewas. Masculine nouns, חֲסָדִים - mercies. Feminine nouns, אֲבָנִים - stones (unusual masculine ending in example).
Dual endings
קֶ֣רֶן → קַרְנַ֣יִם - (two) horns
Construct Relationship
Construct State
Hebrew nouns have an absolute state (used in dictionaries) and a construct state. Construct states shorten the absolute state.
Construct relationship
The joining together of two or more nouns within a sentence. Juxtaposed or with a Maqqēp̄. They express genitival relationships.
They are pronounced together, with emphasis falling on the final noun. This changes syllable stress. Long closed unaccented vowels are shortened; long open, volatised.
Formation of Construct Plural Nouns
Changes to Masculine plural
Endings change, and open long vowels are usually volatised.
ים ִ to י ֵ
בָּנִים →בְּנֵי - sons of
Volatisation
If volatilisation results in two vocal shewas at beginning of construct, the first vowel is raised to a full vowel. N.b. unchangable long vowels remain unchanged.
אֲנָשִׁים → אַנְשֵׁי - men of
Dual construct
Same as changes to masculine plural י ֵ
Feminine plural
Retains וֹת ending. Still volatises open long vowels.
Changes in forming singular construct nouns
These are far more complicated than plural changes, to be certain requires a dictionary.
Monosyllabic nouns with unchangeably long vowels have same form. יוֹם - day of. Plural may be irregular.
Monosyllabic nouns with short vowel have same form in singular. עַם - people of.
Monosyllabic nouns with changeably long vowels usually shorten them. בֶּן
אָב and אָח are irregular. אֲבִי and אֲחִי
Bisyllabic nouns with the first open and second closed reduce first vowel to vocal shewa and shorten second (except unchangeably long). דְּבַר
Bisyllabic nouns with both closed syllables will shorten long vowel at end.מִדְבַּר
Segholates remain the same
Feminine nouns ending in ה ָ change to ת ַ (plus volatise) e.g. שְׁנַת
Nouns like בַּ֣יִת become בֵּית [diphthongs י ַ and ו ָ ]
E.g. עַ֫יִן → עֵינ
[Also מָ֣וֶת becomes מוֹת; C.f. תָּ֣וֶךְ]
[Nouns ending ה ֶ have cons ה ֵ ]
No definite articles
Construct state nouns never take the definite article. When translating follow the definiteness of the absolute noun. [Names are always definite, so construct will take a definite article]. יוֹם יְהוָה - the day of the LORD, יוֹם חֹ֣שֶׁךְ - a day of darkness.
Nothing comes between nouns in construct relationship
Use context to determine adjective's noun. בֶּן־הָאִשָּׁה הַזֹּאת - the son of this woman. [סוּסַת הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ הַטוֹבָה – the good mare of the king]
Meanings of construct relationship
Location or origin of person of thing
Further description or identification of place or thing
אֵת - with (not direct object). This like some prepositions takes a dagesh forte (אִתּוֹ 3ms…)
לְבַד - alone, by oneself, by itself (lit. in separation) (לְבַדִּי 1cs…)
עִם - with ( עִמִּי, also עִמָּדִי 1cs…)
מִן – irregular
מִן - from, away from, more than. Duplicates מִן־מִן־נִי, but not always (מִמֶּ֣נִּי 1cs, מִמְּךָ 2ms ... מִמֶּ֣נּוּ 3ms/1cp... מִכֶּם 2mp, מֵהֶם 3mp)
Prepositions with the same pronominal suffixes as plural nouns
לִפְנֵי becomes לְפָנַי 1cs (before me, lit. to the face of)…
Opening vowel volatised
אֶל and עַל (and אַחֲרֵי)
Long vowel in first syllable
Volatised before heavy suffix אֲלֵיכֶם (2/3p)
אֶל becomes אֵלַי
עַל becomes עָלָין
Particles – Slightly irregular
אֵת - sign of direct object.
No dagesh (c.f. אֵת – with). אֹתוֹ (his)
no הֶ in 3p אֹתָם
2p volatises אֶתְכֶם
הִנֵּה ,הֵן - Behold
הִנֶּ֣נִּי or הִנְנִי (1cs);הִנְּךָ (2ms)
Pronominal suffixes for nouns
Added to nouns in the construct state. Always definite, despite no article, so adjectives will have article. [May volatise vowels. דְּבַרוֹ and דְּבַרְכֶם
Heavy suffixes (3mp, 3fp, 2mp, 2fp?) leads to further vowel reduction.
Check accents, Week 3.D
]
Singular nouns
3ms
וֹ
his
3mp
ם ָ
their
3fs
הּ ָ
her
3fp
ן ָ
their
2ms
ךָ ְ
your
2mp
כֶם ְ
your
2fs
ךְ ֵ
your
2fp
כֶן ְ
your
1cs
י ִ
my
1cp
נוּ ֵ֣
our
[Irregular sometimes הֵם ָ s3mp and הֵן ָ s3mf
and 3ms ה ֹ
]
Plural nouns
Suffix
Suffix
3ms
יו ָ
his
3mp
יהֶם ֵ
their
3fs
יהָ ֶ֣
her
3fp
יהֶן ֵ
their
2ms
יךָ ֶ֣
your
2mp
יכֶם ֵ
your
2fs
יִךְ ַ֣
your
2fp
יכֶן ֵ
your
1cs
י ַ
my
1cp
ינוּ ֵ֣
our
Irregular
Several nouns show irregularies with pronominal suffixes.
אָבִי – my father
אָחִי – my brother
[בֵּיִתְךָ]
יָד remains יָד
Vocab
אָהַב - he loved
אָמַר - he said
בָּרָא - he created
הָיָה - he was, became
הָלַךְ - he walked, went
יָדַע - he knew
יַחְדָּו - together
יֶ֣לֶד - child
כָּבוֹד - glory, honour
תֵּבָה - (f) ark
עוֹד - again, yet, still
עַל־פְּנֵי - over, above
עַתָּה - now
פֹּה - here
צְבָאוֹת - hosts, armies
שַׁבָּת - (m&f) Sabbath
שָׁם - there
שְׁנֵיהֶם - the two of them
Lesson 12
Verbs
General overview of verbs
Qal stem
The simple active stem of a verb is the third declension masculine, or Qal. The Qal stem is listed in dictionaries. It normally has three consonants and two vowels.
The first syllable is open with a qames, the second is accented, closed and with a patah. Unless it ends with א or ה, in which case, it's open and has a qamas. אָכַל , נָשָׂא
Stative verbs
Stative verbs may have exceptions. These describe a condition or state of being (he was great/holy/old, lie). These may contain patah, sere or holem as second vowel, זָקֵן
Monosyllable verbs
Monosyllabic verbs, have yod or waw in middle, which have contracted to form vowels. Called hollow or middle vowels. Listed with Qal infinitive in Lexicons. בּוֹא, שִׂים, מוּת. Some didn't contract, so middle yod etc. function as consonant. הָיָה
Strong and weak verbs
Verbs are either strong or weak. Weak means irregular.
Strong verbs have three consonants in Qal perfect 3ms. No consonants are gutturals (except sometimes ר). Doesn't begin with י, ו, נ. Doesn't have identical second and third consonants.
Weak verbs fall into ten groups.
ל
עַ
פָּ
Paradigm verb
1
ד
מַ
עָ
Pe Guttural
2
ל
אַ
שָׁ
‛Ayin Guttural
3
ח
לַ
שָׁ
Lamed Guttural
4
ל
כַ
אָ
Pe ’Alêf
5
א
צָ
מָ
Lamed ’Alêf
6
ה
נָ
בָּ
Lamed He
7
ל
פַ
נָ
Pe Nun
8
ב
ם
וּ
י
שׁ
שִׂ
‛Ayin waw/
‛Ayin yod
9
ב
שַׁ
יָ
Pe waw/Pe yod
10
ב
בַ
סָ
Double ‛ayin
Doubly weak verbs
Weak verbs may have multiple weak consonants, thus exhibiting peculiarities of more than one weak class. הָלַל
Time tense
Determined by context.
Qal Perfect of Strong Verbs
Verbs have two full sets of inflections: the perfect and imperfect. They indicate a complete and incomplete state of action respectively.
The perfect suffixes for weak and strong verbs (in all stems) are:
3ms
none
he
3cp
וּ
they
3fs
ה ָ
she
2ms
תָּ
you
2mp
תֶּם
you
2fs
תְּ
you
2fs
תֶּן
you
1cs
תִּי
I
1cp
נוּ
we
Example with vocalisation changes
3ms
שָׁמַר
he
3cp
שָֽׁמְרוּ
they
3fs
שָֽׁמְרָה
she
2ms
שָׁמַ֣רְתָּ
you
2mp
שְׁמַרְתֶּם
you
2fs
שָׁמַרְתְּ
you
2fs
שְׁמַרְתֶּן
you
1cs
שָׁמַ֣רְתִּי
I
1cp
שָׁמַ֣רְנוּ
we
Vocalic suffixes (those that begin with a vowel) draw accents to themselves, unless preceded by unchangeably long vowel. Volatises second vowel, and meteg added to first (as open long vowel before v.shewa).
Silent shewas added before consonantal suffixes. תֶּם and תֶּן suffixes pull open long accents to themselves, but other suffixes aren't accented, so word is accented with meteg on the second syllable.
[Ta-ti-nu (2ms, 1cs, 1cp) make second vowel accented.]
The Meaning of the Perfect
A simple action completed in the past (aorist)
Past perfect. An action completed before a point of reference in the past. (Pluperfect)
In the present tense, as a verb of perception, attitude, disposition, or mental or physical state of being.
If prefixed with waw conjunction, usually indicates future tense.
Agrees with person, gender and number.
Can be joined with subject pronouns for emphasis. 'She gave to me from the tree'
Word order in verbal sentences
Sentences follows verb, subject then object. Unless emphasising the part of speech placed first.
Vocab
אוֹ - or
אוֹת - sign
אֵל - God
הִנֵּה ,הֵן - behold
זֶ֣רַע - seed
חֲצִי - half
לָקַח - he took
מָלַךְ - he reigned, became king
מָצָא - he found
נָפַל - he fell
עָבַד - he served
עָלָה - he went up
פָּקַד - he visited, appointed
קָרָא - he called, announced, read
שָׁכַב - he lay down
שָׁלַח - he sent
שָׁמַע - he heard, obeyed
שָׁמַר - he kept
Lesson 13
Interrogative Sentences and Numerals
Interrogative Sentences
Closed questions
Closed questions introduced with ה. (Is, do, am, shall [was])
הֲ Before full vowel, non-guttural
הַ Before full vowel, guttural
Except, הֶ Before qames or qames-hatuf with guttural
הַ Before vocal shewa
אִם can introduce a question, and supposes a negative response. אִם־לֹא implies certainly (handbook, p105)
Open questions
מִי who? (people), מָה what? (things)
מִי usually stands alone or מִי־
מָה usually joined מַה־
מַה־ Before non-gutturals
מָה or מָה־ (occ מַה) before ר, [ה?], א
מֶה or מֶה־ [before guttural with qamas != ] before ח or ע [or הָ]
Interrogative adverbs
אֵי - where?
אַיֵּה - where? [only in nominal sentences?]
אֵיפֹה - where?
מֵאַ֣יִן - from where?
אֵי־מִזֶּה - from where?
אֵיךְ - how?
אָ֣נָה, אָן - to what place?
לָמָה) ,לָ֣מָּה) - why? to what purpose?
מַדּוּעַ - why?
Numerals
1-10
Cardinals
Ordinals
Masculine
Feminine
Mas
Fem
Abs
Cons
Abs
Cons
1
אֶחָד
אַחַד
אַחַת
אַחַת
1st
רִאשׁוֹן
רִאשׁוֹנָה
2
שְׁנַ֣יִם
שְׁנֵי
שְׁתַּ֣יִם
שְׁתֵּי
2nd
שֵׁנִי
שֵׁנִית
3
שְׁלֹשָׁה
שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת
שַָׁלוֹשׁ
שְׁלשׁ
3rd
שְׁלִישִׁי
שְׁלִישִׁית
4
אַרְבָּעָה
אַרְבַּ֣עַת
אַרְבַּע
אַרְבַּע
4th
רְבִיעִי
רְבִיעִית
5
חֲמִשָּׁה
חֲמֵ֣שֶׁת
חָמֵשׁ
חֲמֵשׁ
5th
חֲמִישִׁי
חֲמִישִׁית
6
שִׁשָּׁה
שֵׁ֣שֶׁת
שֵׁשׁ
שֵׁשׁ
6th
שִׁשִּׁי
שִׁשִּׁית
7
שִׁבְעָה
שִׁבְעַת
שֶׁ֣בַע
שְׁבַע
7th
שְׁבִיעִי
שְׁבִיעִית
8
שְׁמֹנָה
שְׁמֹנַת
שְׁמֹנֶה
שְׁמֹנֶה
8th
שְׁמִינִי
שְׁמִינִית
9
תִּשְׁעָה
תִּשְׁעַת
תֵּ֣שַׁע
תְּשַׁע
9th
תְּשִׁיעִי
תְּשִׁיעִית
10
עֲשָׂרָה
עֲשֶׂ֣רֶת
עֶ֣שֶׂר
עֶ֣שֶׂר
10th
עֲשִׂירִי
עֲשִׂירִית
One is an adjective.
2-10 function as adjectives, but are nouns.
Absolute form stands before or after noun
Construct form must stand before noun.
2 agrees in gender with noun it modifies. 3-10 take opposite gender (except ordinals), see table.
Absolute and construct are interchangeable.
2-10 may have pronominal suffix (as nouns) in construct form
שְׁנֵיהֶם - the two of them.
11-19
Unit placed before modified-ten: עָשָׁר Mas, עֶשְׂרֵה Fem
Usually simple passive, sometimes reflexive, only occasionally similar to Qal, where no Qal exists.
פִּעֵל, פֻּעַל, הִתְפַּעֵל
Double middle consonant. Some פִּעֵל and הִתְפַּעֵל verb forms are similar to Qal.
הִתְפַּעֵל
Before the sibilants (ס, צ, שׂ, שׁ, [ז once])
Switches the prefixed tāw and consonant, e.g. הִסְתַּתֵּר.
Before צ the letter ת becomes ט e.g. הִצְטַדֵּק.
Before ד, ט, ת
the prefixed ת becomes a dagesh forte, e.g., הִטַּמֵּא
הִפְעִיל
Causative: he caused to know, he brought out. Brackets indicate verb routes not normally in the Qal stem. Some require context to understand.
הָפְעַל
Straightforward.
Remaining Perfects of Strong verb
נִפְעַל
3s has same vowel pattern as stem name, else add prefix to Qal stem. נִמְשַׁל - he was ruled, נמְשְׁלָה - she was ruled.
פִּעֵל
3s same vowel pattern. Middle consonant doubled and ḥîreq as first consonant throughout. [Middle consonant sometimes not doubled if followed by a shewa and is not a BeGaD KePaT letter. בִּקְשָׁה]
פֻּעַל
3s same vowel pattern. Middle consonant doubled and qibbûṣ as first consonant throughout.
הִתְפַּעֵל
3s same vowel pattern. Middle consonant doubled and pataḥ as first consonant (after prefix הִתְ) throughout.
הִפְעִיל
3s same vowel pattern. Prefix and shewa on first consonant. Only 3ms, 3fs and 3cp contain ḥîreq-yôd. הִמְשִׁ֣ילָה. (Unchangeably long vowel rejects volatisation).
הָפְעַל
3s same vowel pattern. Prefix and shewa on first consonant.
Formed merging Qal infinitive (שְׁמֹר) with set of prefixes and suffixes
3ms
□□□
יִ
3mp
וּ
□□□
יִ
3fs
□□□
תִּ
3fp
נָה
□□□
תִּ
2ms
□□□
תִּ
2mp
וּ
□□□
תִּ
2fs
י
□□□ִ
תִּ
2fs
נָה
□□□
תִּ
1cs
□□□
אֶ
1cp
□□□
נִ
Sometimes, 3mp suffix is וּן
Some stative verbs have patah, not holem as stem vowel in infinitive (שְׁכַב – to lie down).
[2fp suffix can sometimes look like 3mp ?]
The meaning of the imperfect
Describe a simple action in future time
Frequentative use. Express repeated, habitual or customary action, past, present or future. (Appears similar to continuous aspect: imperfect; present or future continuous)
(Subjunctive mood) Express actions contingent or dependent upon other factors. Translate with may, can, shall, might, should, could, would... May appear after conditional particles (אִם – if though,אוּלַי – perhaps, לְמַ֣עַן – in order that...), particles expressing end or purpose (פֶּן...), or interrogative pronouns or adverbs (מָה...).
The Jussive and Cohortative
Jussive, often third person (sometimes second) imperfect. Normal in strong, shortened in weak verbs. Used to express speakers desire, wish or command (may, let). נָא sometimes added for emphasis, entreaty, I pray.
Cohortative, involves first person imperfects. Sometimes lengthened by ה ָ . Used to express the speaker's desire, intention, self-encouragement, or determination to perform a certain act.
Prefixed vowels vary across stems. Suffixes and consonants remain the same. Prefix vowel is constant down forms, except 1cs אִ → אֶ, and אְ → אֲ. Vowel before נָה follows final vowel in form stem, except הִפְעִיל, and Qal is holem.
נִפְעַל
Prefix יִ. Consonant נְ is assumed into consonant with dagesh forte. Infinitive construct הִשָּׁמֵר, learn.
Sometimes describes a simple action in future time
Sometimes frequentative: repeated, habitual, or customary action
Sometimes, actions contingent upon other elements. Jussive and cohortative.
פִּעֵל
Prefix יְ. Inf. con. שַׁמֵּר, learn.
Sometimes describes a simple action in future time
Often frequentative: repeated, habitual, or customary action
May express actions contingent upon other elements. Jussive and cohortative.
[Sometimes the second root doesn't get dagesh forte.
Waw consecutive doesn't double in yod]
פֻּעַל
Prefix יְ. Inf con שֻׁמַּר.
Passive of the פִּעֵל imperfect.
הִתְפַּעֵל
Inf con הִשְׁתַּמֵּר. Includes תְ
Normally Reflexive, sometimes similar to Qal, simple action in active voice.
An action that is repeated, customary or habitual
Contingent upon other factors, including jussive and cohortatives.
הִפְעִיל
Inf con הַשְׁמִיר. Retains hiriq-yod, except before נָה becomes sere. Vocalic suffix does not shift accent.
Normally causative of Qal impefect.
Sometimes simple action in future time
Often used to express repeated, habitual or customary actions
הָפְעַל
Inf con הָשְׁמַר. Passive of הִפְעִיל imperfect (‘he will be brought’, not ‘he will bring’). Fairly rare.
The Waw consecutive
Prefixed to imperfect verbs to express narrated past. Passage often start with perfect, then waw consecutives. Sequential ‘and then’ or consequential ‘and so’.
ּ וַ unless guttural and sometimes יְ, e.g. וָאֶזְכֹּר – and I remembered. Irregular וַיֹּ֣אמֶר – and then he said.
He-Directive (ה ָ )
Indicates direction or motion toward. Can be added to common and proper nouns and adverbs of direction. Causes unpredicatable vowel and accent changes. ה is never accented. Nouns may have definite article.
Common nouns
אָ֣רְצָה – to the ground
הַבַּ֣יְתָה – to the house
הָהָ֣רָה – to the mountain
Proper nouns
מִצְרַ֣יְמָה – toward Egypt
בָּבֶ֣לָה – toward Babylon
יְרוּשָׁלַ֣יְמָה – toward Jerusalem
Directional adverbs
שָׁ֣מָּה – to there
אָנָה – to where?
צָפ֣וֹנָה – northward
תֵּימָ֣נָה – southward
קֶ֣דְמָה – eastward
יָ֣מָּה – westward
[Some today debate this is actually dative]
Conjunctive Dagesh Forte
A dagesh forte is placed in the initial consonant of a word to link it to the preceding word. Always happens after זֶה ,מָה. And after word ending qames, qames-he, segol-he followed by a monosyllabic word.
When transitive verbs take pronominal object, pronominal suffix added to אֵת or transitive verb itself. ‘The LORD sent me.’
That end in vowels
3ms
הוּ, ו
him
3mp
הֶם, ם
them
3fs
הָ
her[/it]
3fp
ן
them
2ms
ךָ
you
2mp
כֶם
you
2fs
ךְ
you
2fp
כֶן
you
1cs
נִי
me
1cp
נוּ
us
כֶם, כֶן, הֶם attract accents.
Second root consonants have vocal shewa restored and lengthened (unless closed or unchangeably long). Initial opened vowel volatised due to two syllable distance from accent.
שְׁמָר֣וּהוּ
they kept him
שְׁמָרוּם
they kept them
שְׁמָר֣וּהָ
they kept her
שְׁמָרוּן
they kept them
שְׁמָר֣וּךָ
they kept you
שְׁמָֽרוּכֶם
they kept you
שְׁמָרוּךְ
they kept you
שְׁמָֽרוּכֶן
they kept you
שְׁמָר֣וּנִי
they kept me
שְׁמָר֣וּנוּ
they kept us
That end in consonants
3ms
וֹ or הוּ ָ֣
him
3mp
ם ָ
them
3fs
הּ ָ
her[/it]
3fp
ן ָ
them
2ms
ךָ ְ
you, pausal ךָ ֶ֣
2mp
כֶם ְ
you
2fs
ךְ ֵ or ךְ ֶ
you
2fp
כֶן ְ
you
1cs
נִי ַ֣
me, pausal נִי ָ֣
1cp
נוּ ָ֣
us
Changes before perfect pronominal suffixes
3fs verbs changed ה ָ → ת ַ
2fs verbs changed תְּ → תִּי
2m/fp verbs changed תֶּם and תֶּן → תּוּ
[2ms ending תָּ becomes תַּ before נִי]
[2ms ending תָּ sometimes before 3ms suffix הוּ syncopates to תּוֹ]
[[ Read Lambert (and JM §61) on energic nun with suffix:
The tendancy (not absolute) is thus:
1. After indicative imperfect -> וּ
2. After jussive imperfect -> הוּ
3. After waw consecutive -> הוּ
4. After cohortative imperfect -> נוּ
Gen 6.16: תְּכַלֶ֣נָּה, תַּֽעֲשֶֽׂהָ (both appear jussives)
Belial adds after jussive, sometimes נוּ instead of הוּ
But Lev 4.32 (יְבִיאֶֽנָּה) c.f. Ex 35.5 (יְבִיאֶ֕הָ) Both are jussives.
Belial says after אַל it is always הוּ
]]
Pronominal suffixes with imperfects
That end in vowels
Same as perfect vowel endings. The 2/3mp sureq is sometimes written defectively, but still long (and accented) יְשַׁלְּחֻ֣הוּ
That end in consonants
3ms
הוּ ֵ֣
him
3mp
ם ֵ
them
3fs
הּ ָ or הָ ֶ֣
her
3fp
ן ֵ
them
2ms
ךָ ְ
you, pausal ךָ ֶ֣
2mp
כֶם ְ
you
2fs
ךְ ֵ
you
2fp
כֶן ְ
you
1cs
נִי ֵ֣
me
1cp
נוּ ֵ֣
us
2ms, 2m/fp create two adjacent vocal shewas, causing second to reduce to its short vowel. יִשְׁמָרְךָ. [If theme vowel is a or o will volatise; patah lengthened to qames]
[In poetry suffix for 3mp is often מוֹ]
[Paragogic Nun
Hanging/Paragogic Nun are where a nun suffix is found on an unusual form such as 2fs. They are very rare, they may be found in major pauses. It slows down the sentence. So there’s more time to give verbal form. More common in Aramaic and Arabic. C.f 1 Sam 1.14]
Extra nuns [energic nun]
Sometimes additional nuns with shewa added and assimilated. Energic nun is not found in imperatives, jussives, wayyiqotal, these are found in clause-initial position. See 1 Sam 1.7
3ms
נּוּ ֶ֣
3fs
נָּה ֶ֣
2ms
ךָּ ֶ֣
1cs
נִּי ֶ֣
1cp
נּוּ ֶ֣
Vocab
בָּטַח - he trusted
גָּדַל - he was (became) great
דָּרַשׁ - he sought, inquired
דֶּ֣שֶׁא - grass
הָרַג - he killed, slew
זָבַח - he sacrificed
חָזַק - he was (became) strong
חָשַׁב - he thought, devised, reckoned
כָּבֵד - he was (became) heavy; (Pi‛el) he was honoured, glorified
כָּנָף - (f) wing, skirt
[כּפר] - (Pi‛el) he covered, made atonement
לָבַשׁ - he put on, wore
נַ֣חַל - torrent valley, wadi
עָזַב - he abandoned, left, forsook
קָרַב - he drew near, approached; (Hif‛il) offered
Participles are verbs used as adjective; or adjective derived from verb, describing participation in verb. Stem determines if participle is active, passive or reflexive.
Note מְ ֻ under root consonant and doubling of middle consonant
מְמֻשָּׁל (ms)
הִתְפַּעֵל
מִתְ prefix and doubling of middle consonant
מִתְמַשֵּׁל
הִפְעִיל
Note מַ prefix and י□ִ stem
Middle vowel verbs (e.g. בּוֹא) use sere in prefix מֵבִיא
מַמְשִׁיל
הָפְעַל
Prefix is o or u class
מָמְשָׁל
Uses
As adjectives
Used attributively or predicatively. Insert who, which, that... before attributive adjective use of participle. Insert 'to be' before predicative use. Attributive participles may take definite article.
As verbs
Past, present, future time inferred from context. Past participles made explicit by הָיָה; future (often immediate future) follow הִנֵּה
As nouns
As nouns, though may take direct object. Insert 'The one(s) who'. Often describes activity (redeemer). Occur in absolute or construct state. ה□ֶ becomes ה□ֵ due to loss of accent.
Pronominal suffix added to construct state. [follows imperfect pattern?]
Vocab
[אמן] - (Nif‛al) he was faithful, (Hif‛il) he believed
May be used on any form of verb (unlike waw consecutive, L16). Waw conjunction points on verbs as on nouns (see L6).
Coordinate relationships
Two or more verbs linked by waw consecutive or conjunction. First verb governs others, determining time and mood.
Perfect + Perfect
Does not alter second verb. Rare.
Perfect + Imperfect
Frequent coordinate relationship and only one to use waw consecutive. Imperfect converted, often to past time indicative. Verb may be consequence or sequence. So common, governing perfect sometimes dropped.
Imperfect + Imperfect
Sometimes the second verb expresses the outcome or purpose of the first verb.
Nouns of time often come before verb, Gen 1.1, בְּרֵשִׁית בָּרָ֣א
Waw consecutive used in narrating historic stories, consecutively we did x and then y and then z.
Use perfect for background information and if not first position in a clause.
had made = pluperfect = background information = event has happened before the time of narrative. So use perfect, not imperfect. Also, the position in clauses. First clauses waw-imperfect, second is then perfect, if it comes second in clause (e.g. after כִּי)
Clauses
Waw-consecutive only comes in first position in clause, use perfect after [כִּי (that), כַּאֲשֶׁר after, ...]
לֹא + [im?]perfect (negative clauses).
After a negative clause for ‘but’ use: כִּי / כִּי אִם [Maybe in end of Ross?]
אֲשֶׁר + perfect (relative clause).
כִּי + perfect (causual clause)
(temporal clause)
וַיְהִי +אֲשֶׁר or כִּי etc.
After he had visted ... etc.
Sequence
Verb - Subject - Indirect Object (dative) [one word?] - Direct Object (with direct object if name, has suffix, or definite object)
Gave - the king - to him - the book
If prep + suffix, or object marker + suffix
Verb - Object - Subject
Since it is considered a lighter word
Except if DBR ELHYM (etc.) they start as they are, the object marker/suffix does not come before the Subject
A guide to all the available grammars on sharedinklings.com is found here: https://www.sharedinklings.com/blogs/users/blog/learning-languages