Chapter Nine: The Imperfect Tense (‫)זְ ַמן ָע ִתיד‬ 1

Chapter Nine

The Imperfect Tense (‫) ְז ַמן ָע ִתיד‬

9.1
How to use the Hebrew Imperfect Tense

Some grammar textbook would insist that the Imperfective in Hebrew is not really a
tense as such; rather it is an aspect of the verb. The Imperfective is used in the ‫ תנ"ך‬to
express an incomplete action expressed by the root nonetheless, in which case, its
time frame could be in the future or the present.

9.2
The Imperfect Tense is used:
i. To express an incomplete action denoted by the controlling verb, which could
be at the moment or after the action of the verb;
ii. To express a repetitive or habitual action; it does not express the time or the
moment of the action of the verb, that is, the moment when the action of the
verb takes place, hence the time of the action of the controlling verb could be
in the past, the present or the future.
iii. In Modern Hebrew, as the Active Participle is used for the Present Tense, thus,
the Imperfect Tense is used exclusively to function as the Future Tense.
iv. In Classical Hebrew, the Imperfect Tense could have a sense equivalent to the
English Present Tense or a Continuous Tense.
v. The Present Tense in Hebrew could be expressed, more often than not, by the
use of the Active Participle, as noted.

9.3
The Imperfect Tense is one among the four or five Infinitive derivatives, at least in
Hebrew. To configure the Imperfect Tense, the pair of default vowels in currency in
the Infinitive Construct of each binyan would be used as the base vowel in the
construction of the Imperfect Tense of each respective binyan. A sample of the
default vowels in the Infinitive Construct of each binyan, using the word ‫ קטל‬as an
example, is given below:

‫ ברוך השם‬Steffen Han August 2010.

2 Hebrew Verbal System

Vowel schemes of the Infinitive Construct of the biyanim

Hophal Hiphil Hitpa’el Pu’al Pi’el Ni’phal Qal

‫טל ִה ָקּ ֵטל ַפּ ֵעל ֻפּ ַעל ִה ְת ַק ֵטּל ַה ְק ִטיל ָה ְק ַטל‬

ֹ ‫ְק‬

9.4
The vowel in the head syllable of the non-Qal binyanim which constituted part of the
prosthesis of each banyan is immutable. The consonant of the prosthesis, however,
would be occupied by the pronominal preformative, the ‫אית"ן‬, but the vowel would
remain the same, as the vowel in these samples: ‫ ָי ְק ַטל‬he will be murdered, the third
person masculine singular for Hophal binyan; ‫כּ ְתבוּ‬ ָ ‫ ִי‬they (those) will be inscribed,
the third person plural masculine for Niph’al binyan of the root ‫כתב‬.

9.5
Generally speaking, the stem vowel is given in the Infinitive Construct of each binyan,
particularly the non-Qal active voice where the vowel [..] (‫ )צרי‬would be used as the
stem vowel whenever the configuration of the Imperfect Tense is needed. The Qal
binyan is given by default a separate set of default vowels, head and stem vowels, for
all verbal forms: in the case of Qal Infinitive, it is a pairing of [˙+ְ] ( ‫הולם‬+‫שווא‬
‫)חסר‬. In the case of the Niph’al binyan, the zero vowel sufformative conjugation
would assume the vowel [..] (‫)צרי‬, resembles verbs in the active voice, but Niph’al
binyan takes the vowel [ַ] (‫ )פתח‬in consonantal sufformative conjugation. The vowel
[ַ] (‫ )פתח‬meanwhile is used as theme or stem vowel in non-Qal passive voice
binyanim, namely the Pu’al and the two forms of Hophal. The Hiphil binyan has the
vowel [‫ י‬.] (‫ )היריק מלא‬as its standard epenthesis, which is immutable, stem vowel
in the vocalic and zero vowel sufformative conjugations but it accepts the vowel [..]
(‫ )צרי‬in the consonantal sufformative inflection.

9.6
Conjugation of the Imperfect Tense

The Imperfect has been understood as the preformative conjugation for reason of the
‫אית"ן‬. It is found that working with the sufformative conjugations turned out to be
more manageable instead: naturally, dependent on individual preference. To install
the Hebrew Imperfect Tense, there are three sets of conjugation would be applicable:
(i) the consonantal sufforamtive conjugation, (ii) the vocalic sufformative conjugation,
and (iii) the zero vowel sufformative conjugation, involving the pronominal
preformatives the ‫ אית"ן‬pairing with the sufformatives the ‫יו"נה‬, making adjustment

‫ ברוך השם‬Steffen Han August 2010.

 Chapter Nine: The Imperfect Tense (‫)זְ ַמן ָע ִתיד‬ 3

to contiguous ‫ שוואים‬and or ‫ח ָטף ְשׁ ָוא‬ ֲ (composite shewa) whenever a weak or

guttural consonant is present at the head of the root, or for that matter, anyone other
position of the verbal root.

(i) There are two members in the

Imperfect ‫ ָנה‬--- 2fp you ladies ‫ ָנה‬---‫ְתּ‬
consonantal sufformative
conjugation involved in the ‫ ָנה‬--- 3fp those women ‫ ָנה‬---‫ְתּ‬
inflexion of the Imperfect Tense,
namely, feminine second person plural you ladies ‫ ָנה‬---‫( ְתּ‬2fp) and feminine third
person plural those women ‫ ָנה‬---‫( ְתּ‬3fp), each consists of one pronoun prefix from
‫ אית"ן‬and one pronoun suffix from ‫ יו"נה‬forming a splice of ‫ ָנה‬---‫ ְתּ‬to bracket the
verbal root, as the vowels in the sample word: ‫ ִתּ ְכ ֹ֫תּ ְב ָנה‬, those women/you ladies
will write, the Qal Imperfect Tense for ‫כתב‬. The same pair of affixes ‫ ָנה‬---‫ְתּ‬
would be used for the two, namely, second person feminine plural and third
person feminine plural. There is no accent shift involved in the consonantal
sufformative conjugation in the Imperfect Tense as the stress remains in the
second syllable of the root. The rule of contiguous ‫ שוואים‬would be summoned to
duty.

(ii) (a) There are three pairs of Imperfect 2fs you lady ‫י‬--- ִ ‫י‬---
ִ ‫ְתּ‬
pronominal affixes would be used in 2mp you men ‫וּ‬--- ‫וּ‬---‫ְתּ‬
the vocalic (vowel) sufformative
conjugation in the Imperfect Tense, 3mp those men ‫וּ‬--- ‫וּ‬---‫ְי‬
namely, feminine second singular you lady ‫י‬--- ִ ‫( ְתּ‬2fs), masculine second person
plural you men ‫וּ‬---‫( ְתּ‬2mp), and masculine third person plural those men ‫וּ‬---‫ְי‬
(3mp), as the vowels in the sample word: ‫יאי‬ ִ ‫ ְתּ ִב‬you (lady) will bring for the
verbal root ‫ ִתּ ְכ ְת ִבי ;בוא‬you (lady) will write for the root ‫ ָי ִביאוּ ;כתב‬they (men)
will bring, ‫ ִי ְכ ְתּבוּ‬they (men) will write, ‫ ְתּ ֹא ֵפהוּ‬you men will bake for the root
‫אפה‬.

(b) Rules related to pillion, stem vowels are not applicable to the vocalic
sufformative conjugation as the vocalic sufformative conjugation would go
through a procedure whereby the hind consonant of the root would be abdicated
and reuse with the vowel from the vocalic pronominal to form a new, hind
syllable.

‫ ברוך השם‬Steffen Han August 2010.

4 Hebrew Verbal System

(iii) There are five members in the zero vowel

sufformative conjugation involved in the
Imperfect 1cs I ---‫ֶא‬
Imperfect Tense but each of these five is Icp we ---‫ְנ‬
loaded with a preformative from ‫אית"ן‬: 2ms you man ---‫ְתּ‬
namely, first person singular both genders I 3ms he ---‫ְי‬
(1cs), first person plural both genders we
(1cp); masculine second person singular you 3fs she ---‫ְתּ‬
man (2ms), feminine third person singular she
(3fs), and masculine third person singular he (3ms), as the vowels in: ‫ ֹא ַכל‬or
‫אוֹכל‬
ַ I will eat. ‫תּ ֵפה‬
ֹ she will bake, ‫שּׁל‬
ֵ ‫ ְתּ ַב‬she will bake, Pi’el of ‫ בשל‬to bake,
‫ ִנ ְשׁבּוֹת‬we will strike for the root ‫ שבת‬to strike.

9.7
A Summary of Imperfect Tense Inflexion:

The same principle will be applicable to the inflexion of the Imperfect Tense of all
binyanim, active as well as Passive.

Plural ‫יו"נה‬+‫אית"ן‬ Singular

1 cp ‫א ַנ ְחנוּ‬
ֲ ‫נִ מממ‬ ‫אֶ מממ‬ ‫א ִני‬
ֲ 1cs
2mp ‫ַא ֶתּם‬ ‫ִתּמממוּ‬ ‫ִתּמממ‬ ‫ַא ָתּה‬ 2ms
2fp ‫מממנה ַא ֫ ֵתּ ָנה‬
ָ ‫מממי ִתּ‬
ִ ‫ִתּ‬ ‫ַא ְתּ‬ 2fs
3mp ‫ֵהם‬ ‫ִתּמממוּ‬ ‫יִ מממ‬ ‫הוּא‬ 3ms
3fp ‫ֵהן‬ ‫ִתּמממ ִתּמממנָה‬ ‫ִהיא‬ 3fs

‫ ברוך השם‬Steffen Han August 2010.

 Chapter Nine: The Imperfect Tense (‫)זְ ַמן ָע ִתיד‬ 5

9.8
Qal Imperfect Tense

Qal Imperfect As far as the vowel pattern is concern, the Qal Imperfect
Table (b): Qal Imperfect Tense is given with a pair Table (a):
of default vowel, as that of the vowels in
‫ הוּא‬3ms ‫יְִקטֹל‬ the Qal Infinitive Construct. On to the ‫טל‬ ֹ ‫ אֶ ְק‬1cs ‫ֲא ִני‬
root various pronominal prefixes, the
‫ ִהיא‬3fs ‫ִתּ ְקטֹל‬ ‫טל‬ֹ ‫ ִתּ ְק‬2ms ‫ַא ָתּה‬
‫ אית"ן‬and suffixes, the ‫חו"נה‬, would be
added to install the Qal Imperfect Tense, ‫ ִתּ ְק ְט ִלי‬2fs ‫ַא ְתּ‬
‫ ַא ָתּה‬2ms ‫ִתּ ְקטֹל‬
as shown in Table (a). Some textbooks
prefer to have the paradigm arranged ‫טל‬ ֹ ‫ יִ ְק‬3ms ‫הוּא‬
‫ ַא ְתּ‬2fs ‫ִתּ ְק ְט ִלי‬
according to the third person singular
masculine as shown in Table (b). In so ‫טל‬ ֹ ‫ ִתּ ְק‬3fs ‫ִהיא‬
‫א ִני‬ֲ 1cs ‫טל‬ ֹ ‫אֶ ְק‬
doing, textbooks generally seek to render
the student the most convenient and easy ‫טל‬ ֹ ‫ נִ ְק‬1cp ‫ֲא ַנ ְחנוּ‬
‫א ַנ ְחנוּ‬
ֲ 1cp ‫טל‬ ֹ ‫נִ ְק‬
way to memorize the paradigm, suiting
the need of as many people as possible. ‫ ִתּ ְק ְטלוּ‬2mp ‫ַא ֶתּם‬
‫ ַא ֶתּם‬2mp ‫ִתּ ְק ְטלוּ‬
Either way, it means the same thing and
serves the same purpose. Once the ‫ ִתּ ְק ֹ֫ט ְלנָה‬2fp ‫ַא ֵתּ ָנה‬
‫ ַא ֵתּ ָנה‬2fp ‫ִתּ ְק ֹ֫ט ְלנָה‬
student has successfully understood that
the Imperfect Tenses is a derivative of the ‫ יִ ְק ְטלוּ‬3mp ‫ֵהם‬
‫ ֵהם‬3mp ‫יִ ְק ְטלוּ‬
Infinitive Construct together with the
default vowels, the rules and mechanism ‫ ִתּ ְק ֹ֫ט ְלנָה‬3fp ‫ֵהן‬
‫ ֵהן‬3fp ‫ִתּ ְק ֹ֫ט ְלנָה‬
of conjugation choosing from one of the
three: zero vowel sufformative conjugations, consonantal
sufformative conjugation and vocalic sufformative conjugation, there would be no
need to rote up the paradigm.

9.9
The default vowel for the Qal Imperfect Tense—head and stem vowels—would be a
combination of [˙+ְ] (‫לם ָח ֵסר‬ ָ ֹ‫) ְשׁ ָוא־חו‬, the same pair of default vowels used in the
Qal Infinitive Construct. In the case of Qal Imperfect Tense, only verbs with one or
more weak or guttural consonants in any one position of the root would require
adjustment to receive or reject the default, head ‫שווא‬, which is suppose to come under
the head consonant of the root or resulting from inflexion by adding the pronominal
prefixes, the ‫אית"ן‬, to the root. When making accommodation for the presence of
‫ח ָטף ְשׁ ָוא‬
ֲ (composite shewa) under such circumstances, the preceding vowel in ‫אית"ן‬
would reflect such changes by the adoption of a ‫ שווא‬of the same class as that of ‫ח ָטף‬ ֲ
‫ ְשׁ ָוא‬. For the other binyanim, the stem or theme vowel for active, dynamic verbs
would be [..] (‫)צרי‬: the Nipha’al Imperfect is treated as an active, dynamic verb in
vocalic sufformative conjugation, assuming the vowel [..] (‫ )צרי‬but loads the vowel

‫ ברוך השם‬Steffen Han August 2010.

6 Hebrew Verbal System

[ַ] (‫ ) ֫ ַפּ ַתּח‬in consonantal conjugation; in Qal stative, intransitive verbs or verbs of the
passive binyanim outside the Niph’al binyan, the vowel [ַ] (‫ ) ֫ ַפּ ַתּח‬is used as the
theme vowel in the Imperfect Tense. Choice of the pillion or stem vowel would be
determined by the nature of the binyan: active or passive voice verb.

9.10
Additional Points on the Vowels

Generally when a root is headed by a weak consonant in the "‫ פ‬position in the
Imperfect Tense, the following vowel combinations would be appropriate:

• [‫ )אלף( ]א‬when in the role as pronominal preformative (one from the ‫)אית"ן‬,
generally it takes [ֶ] (‫ )סגול‬in places where the usual vowel beneath the
preformative would be a [.] (‫יריק‬ ִ ‫) ִח‬, mostly by dint of two contiguous ‫שוואים‬.
In cases where the vowel beneath the preformative normally is a ‫שווא נע‬
(assigned by default to the preformative), the vowel under the [‫)אלף( ]א‬
would be a [ֲ] (‫ )חטף פתח‬as the [‫ )אלף( ]א‬could not carry the ‫שווא נע‬. In
cases where the head prosthetic vowel is immutable, the [‫ )אלף( ]א‬would
assume the default prosthetic vowel of the binyan, mostly in the Causative
stems.
• Generally, [‫ )אלף( ]א‬would accept [ֱ] (‫ )חטף סגול‬when it heads the verbal
root of a verb, in lieu of the ‫ שווא נע‬for use in the Qal Imperfect Tense as well
as in the Qal Infinitive Construct.
• The [‫ )אלף( ]א‬as a preformative in the six-member ‫ פ"א‬verbs would shoulder
a [˙] (‫ )הולם חסר‬as the head syllable vowel.
• When [‫ )אלף( ]א‬falls in a hind position of a verbal root, it is vowelless or
quiescent in the conjugation of all binyanim; thus the preceding consonant (the
middle consonant of the root) is given (lengthening to) a [ָ] (‫ )קמץ‬in zero
vowel inflection in Qal binyan; and the passive form of Intensive and
Causative binyanim; the Niphal Imperfect is given a [..] (‫ )צרי‬as well as the
active voice of the Intensive and Reflexive stems; whereas Hiphil has its own
epenthesis; but the middle consonant in front of the silent [‫ )אלף( ]א‬would
assume the vowel [ֶ] (‫ )סגול‬in consonantal sufformative conjugation in the
Imperfect Tense of all binyanim. In vowel suffix conjugation involving the
presence of a mute [‫ )אלף( ]א‬in the rare position of a root, the usual rules of
abdication of the hind consonant and shortening of the pillion vowel would be
applicable.

‫ ברוך השם‬Steffen Han August 2010.

 Chapter Nine: The Imperfect Tense (‫)זְ ַמן ָע ִתיד‬ 7

• In Qal Imperfect, when [‫ ) ֵחית( ]ח‬and [‫ )עין( ]ע‬are in the head position of the
root, it would assume the [ֱ] (‫ )חטף סגול‬bringing itself in harmony with the
vowel [ֶ] (‫ )סגול‬which is given beneath the preformative [‫)אלף( ]א‬.
• [‫ ) ֵחית( ]ח‬may accept ‫שווא נח‬.
• [‫ )עין( ]ע‬may accept ‫שווא נח‬.
• [‫ )עין( ]ע‬would prefer [ֲ] (‫)התף פתח‬.
• There is assimilation of [‫ )נון( ]נ‬in ‫ פ"ן‬verb, which does not interrupt the usual
pattern of conjugation.

9.11
Conjugation of the Imperfect Tense of the weak verbs would be more or less
consistent and similar to the three types of inflexion: (i) the consonantal Suffix
Conjugation; (ii) the vocalic Suffix Conjugation, (iii) the zero vowel Suffix
Conjugation that have been used to configure the Qal Imperfect Tense of the regular,
strong verbs.

9.12
In ‫ ע"ע‬verbs, ‫ ל"ה‬verbs and hollow verbs, a helping vowel expressed in [‫סגול ( ]ֶ י‬
‫ )מלא‬is used instead of a ‫שווא נע‬, unlike the case in the regular verbs in the
consonantal conjugation; whereas in ‫ ל"א‬verb, as noted above, the stem vowel is a [ֶ]
(‫ )סגול‬while the ‫ ל"א‬is silent, as the vowel pattern in the following sample words:
‫ינה‬
ָ ‫תּוּס ֶ֫בּ‬
ַ (‫)ע"ע‬, ‫ינה‬
ָ ‫ל‬ֶ ֫ ‫)ל"ה( ָתּ ְג‬, ‫אנה‬
ָ ‫)ל"א( ֻתּ ְמ ֫ ֶצ‬, ‫תּוּש ְב ָנה‬
ַׁ ֫ (‫י‬/‫)פ"ו‬, ‫ינה‬
ָ ‫לּ‬ֶ ֫ ‫)ל"ה( ִתּ ְת ַגּ‬
etc.

9.13
Sample of Qal Imperfect of Irregular Verb: ‫היה‬
(i) When special emphasis is needed, the verb ‫ ָה ָיה‬is used as verb to be in the role of
a link verb, which pattern of conjugations is given as the Table:

1cp we will be ‫ ֶא ְה ֶיה ִנ ְה ֶיה‬I will be 1cs

2mp you will be ‫ִתּ ְה ֶיה ִתּ ְהיוּ‬ you will be 2ms
2fp you will be ‫ינה‬
ָ ‫ִתּ ְה ֫ ֶי‬ ‫ִתּ ְה ִיי‬ you will be 2fs
3mp they will be ‫ִי ְה ֶיה ִי ְהיוּ‬ he will be 3ms
3fp they will be ‫ינה‬
ָ ‫ִתּ ְה ֶיה ִתּ ְה ֫ ֶי‬ she will be 3fs

(ii) By way of this, the vowel pattern in the conjugation of another verb: ‫ חיח‬to live
would be identical with that of ‫היה‬.

‫ ברוך השם‬Steffen Han August 2010.

8 Hebrew Verbal System

9.14
Niph’al Imperfect Tense
Interestingly, there are some words ‫א ַנח‬
ֱ ‫ֶנ‬ he groaned in pain, he sighed.
that are used in the ‫ תנ"ך‬appeared only ‫ִנ ַחם‬ he felt sorry, he felt remorse, he repented
in the Niph’al binyan, a sample of ‫לט‬ַ ‫ִנ ְמ‬ he escaped.
these given in the Perfect Tense in the
‫ִנ ְס ַתּר‬ he hid himself.
third person masculine singular is
offered here: ‫ִנ ְק ַהל‬ he assembled.
‫ִנ ְר ַדּם‬ he was brainless, he was deeply asleep,
‫ִנ ְשׁ ַבּע‬ he swore, he bound himself by an oath

9.15
Composition and Conjugation of Niph’al Imperfect

Generally, verbs in the Niph’al stem assume a passive role; when the subject of a
Niph’al verb acts upon itself, it is reflexive, as in the sample word: ‫ ִנ ְס ַתּר‬he hid
himself. A verb in the Niph’al in the plural might be used to express a reciprocal
action; in which case, it could assume a sense of a middle voice, as in the sample
word: ‫חמוּ‬ ֲ ‫ ִנ ְל‬they fought among themselves.

9.16
Rules of conjugation and the use of pronominal preformatives and sufformatives for
the Niph’al Imperfect would be identical to the pattern used in the Qal Imperfect
Tense. In cases of zero vowel conjugation of Niph’al Imperfect Tense, the pillion
vowel would be given a [..] (‫ )צרי‬which is also used as the theme vowel in
conjugation of the Imperfect Tense of all persons in the active voice of the Intensive
binyan, including Reflexive stem. In the two consonantal conjugations of the Niph’al
Imperfect, the vowel [ַ] (‫ )פתח‬is used as the pillion, theme vowel keeping close to
the general rule that the vowel [ַ] (‫ )פתח‬is closely linked with verbs in the passive
voice. In vocalic (vowel) suffix conjugation of Niph’al Imperfect, the rules of
abdication of the hind consonant and shortening of the stem vowel to a ‫ שווא‬would be
applicable.

‫ ברוך השם‬Steffen Han August 2010.

 Chapter Nine: The Imperfect Tense (‫)זְ ַמן ָע ִתיד‬ 9

Niph’al Imperfect 9. 17 Qal Imperfect

Table (a): In the Niph’al Imperfect, the gutturals Table (b):
of [‫ ) ֵחית( ]ח‬and [‫ )עין( ]ע‬when ‫טל‬ ֵ ‫ אֶ ָקּ‬1cs ‫ֲא ִני‬
‫הוּא‬ 3ms ‫יִ ָקּ ֵטל‬
heading a verbal root would reject the
‫ִהיא‬ 3fs ‫ִתָּקּ ֵטל‬ ‫ דגש‬as a result of assimilation of the [‫טל ]נ‬
ֵ ‫ ִתָּקּ‬2ms ‫ַא ָתּה‬
(‫ )נון‬and cause the vowel beneath the
‫ ַא ָתּה‬2ms ‫ִתָּקּ ֵטל‬ preformative to be lengthened to a [..] ‫ ִתָּֽקּ ְט ִלי‬2fs ‫ַא ְתּ‬
(‫)צרי‬, including that of [‫ )אלף( ]א‬in
‫ַא ְתּ‬ 2fs ‫ִתָּֽקּ ְט ִלי‬ ‫ יִ ָקּ ֵטל‬3ms ‫הוּא‬
the role of the preformative for the first
person singular both genders, as in the ‫טל‬ ֵ ‫ ִתָּקּ‬3fs ‫ִהיא‬
‫א ִני‬
ֲ 1cs ‫אֶ ָקּ ֵטל‬
sample words: ‫ ֵי ָע ֵמד‬, ‫ ֵא ָע ֵטל‬.
‫א ַנ ְחנוּ‬
ֲ 1cp ‫נִ ָקּ ֵטל‬ ‫נִ ָקּ ֵטל‬ 1cp ‫א ַנ ְחנוּ‬
ֲ
9.18
‫ ַא ֶתּם‬2mp ‫ִתָּֽקּ ְטלוּ‬ In other cases when these two are ‫ ִתָּֽקּ ְטלוּ‬2mp ‫ַא ֶתּם‬
given in the middle consonant of the
‫ ַא ֵתּ ָנה‬2fp ‫ִתּ ָקּ ֫ ַט ְלנָה‬ root (the ‫ע‬-position), the pillion, theme ‫טְלנָה‬ַ ֫ ‫ ִתָּקּ‬2fp ‫ַא ֵתּ ָנה‬
vowel would be shortened to [ֲ] ( ‫חתף‬
‫ֵהם‬ 3mp ‫יִ ָֽקּ ְטלוּ‬ ‫ יִ ָֽקּ ְטלוּ‬3mp ‫ֵהם‬
‫ )פתח‬in places where a ‫ שווא‬normally
would be needed, as in the sample ‫טְלנָה‬ ַ ֫ ּ‫ ִתּ ָק‬3fp ‫ֵהן‬
‫ֵהן‬ 3fp ‫ִתָּקּ ֫ ַטְלנָה‬
words: ‫אלוּ‬ ֲ ‫ ִי ָקּ‬, ‫ח ִרי‬
ֲ ‫ ִתּ ָבּ‬.

9.19
The assimilation of [‫ )נון( ]נ‬in ‫ פ"ן‬verbs would not disturb the usual pattern of
conjugation in the Niph’al Imperfect.

9.20
Verbs originally begin with a [‫ )וו( ]ו‬in the head of the root but ended up as [‫)יוד( ]י‬
(‫י‬/‫ פ"ו‬verbs) in Qal (Perfect as well as Imperfect) would resume or restore back the
[‫ )וו( ]ו‬in Niph’al binyan, as in the sample word: ‫שׁב‬
ֵ ‫ ִי ָוּ‬. Conjugations in the Niph’al of
these verbs would duplicate the paradigm as the Niph’al Imperfect regular verbs.

9.21
For ‫ח‬/‫ ל"ע‬verbs of Niph’al Imperfect, the pattern of conjugations would be the same
as the regular verbs of Niph’al Imperfect, except that the pillion vowel is given a [ַ]
(‫ )פתח‬since the ‫נוּבה‬ ָ ‫( ֫ ַפּ ַתּח ְגּ‬pathach furtive) actually belongs to the preceding vowel,
as shown in the sample word: ‫לח‬ ַ ‫שּׁ‬
ָ ‫ ; ֶא‬but these ‫ח‬/‫ ל"ע‬verbs could carry a ‫שווא נח‬,
as reflected in the sample word: ‫ל ְח ָנה‬ ַ֫ ‫שּׁ‬
ָ ‫ ִתּ‬.

‫ ברוך השם‬Steffen Han August 2010.

10 Hebrew Verbal System

9.22
Pi’el Imperfect Tense

i. The Pi’el Imperfect is the active voice of the Intensive binyan, which often
expresses a simple action in the future time. It is also used to express a
habitual, repetitive or customary action, a role similar to the Simple Tense
in the English language.
ii. Verbs of stative and intransitive nature in the Qal binyan would assume an
active and dynamic meaning when taking on the Pi’el conjugation.
iii. Words are noun and adjective in origin when performing the function of a
verb would be conjugated in the Intensive Pi’el paradigm but assume a
simple binyan in meaning; these verbs would not take on the intensive
binyan in meaning.

9.23
Composition and Conjugation of Pi’el Imperfect
i. The name is given as ‫ ִפּ ֵעל‬or ‫ ִפּי ֵעל‬,
Sample of PC for Pi’el Imperf
but the default vowels in the Pi’el
Infinitive Construct are assigned a zero vowel PC
combination of [ֵּ+ַ]
‫ ֲא ַה ֵלּל‬1cs ‫ֲא ִני‬
(‫צרי‬+‫דגש‬+‫ )פתח‬as shown in the vocalic PC ‫ ְי ַה ְללוּ‬3mp ‫ֵהם‬
sample: ‫צּא‬ ֵ ‫ ַמ‬, which would be the consonantal
basic vowel scheme to install the PC ‫לּ ְל ָנה‬
ֵ ֫ ‫ ְתּ ַה‬2fp ‫ַא ֵתּ ָנה‬
Pi’el Imperfect in all persons, gender
and number (singular and plural) of all verbal roots. Interestingly, this
basic unit of default vowels is identical with the D stem or Pa’el binyan of
Aramaic verbs. Onto this basic unit pronominal preformatives together
with the consonantal suffix conjugation and vocalic suffix would be carried
out: the zero vowel conjugation does not require pronominal. The
pronominal preformative would be attached to the front and the ‫שווא נע‬,
which comes with the ‫ אית"ן‬but would not go through shortening process
as the vowel beneath the first consonant of the verbal root in this case is
not another ‫שווא נע‬, therefore no contiguous ‫ ;שוואים‬with the exception
of [‫ )אלף( ]א‬for the first person singular both genders, however, a [ֲ]
(‫ )חתף פתח‬would be assigned as [‫ )אלף( ]א‬could not carry the ‫שווא נע‬.
The Pi’el is an active voice binyan, which means the theme or pillion
vowel, as a general rule, would load a [..] (‫)צרי‬.
ii. Only verbal roots which carry a guttural in the second or middle consonant
that resists the ‫ דגש‬would the rule of compensatory lengthening of
preceding vowel or virtual doubling which reject the ‫ דגש‬without
lengthening the preceding vowel be applicable.

‫ ברוך השם‬Steffen Han August 2010.

 Chapter Nine: The Imperfect Tense (‫ )זְ ַמן ָע ִתיד‬11

9.24
The default vowel scheme of Pu’al Imperfect

The meaning and usage of verbs in Pu’al binyan

Sample of PC for Pu’al Imperf
would be understood as passive voice, expressed
with “to be + past participle” in English. The same
zero vowel PC ‫חם‬ ַ ‫ ְי ֻנ‬3ms ‫הוּא‬
‫ דגש‬rule and process of conjugations used in Pi’el
inflection shall be applicable to Pu’al binyan, but as vocalic PC ‫ח ִמי‬
ֲ ‫ ְתּ ֻנ‬2fs ‫ַא ְתּ‬
a general rule, binyanim in the passive voice
employ the vowel [ַ] (‫ )פתח‬as the pillion or stem consonantal ‫ ְתּ ֻנ ֫ ַח ְמ ָנה‬3fp ‫ֵהן‬
PC
vowel. The default vowels given in Pu’al binyan is
a pair of [ ֵּ + ֻ ] (‫פתח‬+‫דגש‬+‫ )קבוץ‬which are almost identical as that in Pi’el binyan,
thus the conjugations to be used in Pu’al binyan would be similar to the paradigm
which is used in Pi’el binyan.

9.25
Reflexive Imperfect Tense

i. As a matter of practical convenience, Sample of PC for Reflexive Imperf

the Reflexive stem is place under the
Intensive group chiefly the basic unit zero vowel PC ‫ִתּ ְת ַכּ ֵתּב‬ 3fs ‫ִהיא‬
in Pi’el binyan is utilized to set up
verbs in the Reflexive binyan with vocalic PC ‫כּ ְתּבוּ‬ ַ ‫ ִתּ ְת‬2mp ‫ַא ֶתּם‬
the addition of a key prosthesis the
consonantal
‫ ִח ְת‬syllable. ‫כּ ֫ ֵתּ ְב ָנה‬ ַ ‫ ִתּ ְת‬2fp ‫ַא ֵתּ ָנה‬
PC
ii. In the conjugation of certain words
in the Reflexive binyan, metathesis would take place where the consonant
[‫ )תו( ]ְת‬of the prosthetic syllable ‫ ִח ְת‬would swap with the head consonant
of the roots, as shown in the sample word: ‫ ִח ְשׁ ַתּ ֵמּר‬they guard themselves.

9.26
Causative Imperfect Tense

A. The Hiphil Imperfect

i. The meaning and usage of causative
Sample of PC for Hiphil Imperf
stem would appropriate a sense that
would place the English words “to
cause to happen” to the verb in Hiphil to zero vowel PC ‫אוֹשׁיב‬
ִ 1cs ‫א ִני‬
ֲ
capture its meaning or implication;
under certain conditions, verbs in the vocalic PC ‫יבי‬
ִ ‫תּוֹשׁ‬
ִ 2fs ‫ַא ְתּ‬
Hiphil binyan could be rendered as an consonantal
indicative or declarative mood. In yet ‫תּוֹשׁ ְב ָנה‬
ֵ֫ 2fp ‫ַא ֵתּ ָנה‬
PC
other situation, the Hiphil could

‫ ברוך השם‬Steffen Han August 2010.

12 Hebrew Verbal System

function in a manner similar to the Intensive that transforms an intransitive

verb to a transitive verb.
ii. Characteristically, the Causative binyan in the active voice is given the
epenthesis [‫ י‬.] (‫ )היריק מלא‬and the head prosthesis is assigned a syllable
of [‫ ] ַה‬forming a basic unit of prosthesis and stem vowel as shown in the
sample: ‫ ַה ְק ִטיל‬where both the vowel ‫ פתח‬beneath the prosthesis and the
epenthesis would be immutable during conjugation of all persons, both
genders, singular as well as plural in the zero vowel conjugations and the
vocalic conjugations, except the consonantal conjugation (2fp and 3fp) of
the Imperfect Tense which would be given a [..] (‫ )צרי‬as stem vowel,
typically of active binyanim. The pronominal prefixes and suffixes from
‫ אית"ן‬and ‫ יו"נה‬would be added to embed the root without disturbing the
default vowels: the prosthetic syllable acting with the head consonant of
the root constitutes a close syllable, thus a ‫ שווא נח‬is needed underneath it.

B. The Hophal Imperfect

i. The same default vowel scheme used in

Hiphil would be applicable to the Sample of PC for Hophal Imperf
conjugation of the Hophal or Huphal
where the head prosthetic syllable would zero vowel PC ‫ ָי ְג ֶלה‬3ms ‫הוּא‬
be either [‫ ]ֻה‬or [‫ ]ָה‬for the Causative
vocalic PC ‫ָתּ ְג ִלי‬ 2fs ‫ַא ְתּ‬
passive binyan and the epenthesis [‫ י‬.]
(‫ )היריק מלא‬is given place to the vowel consonantal ‫ינה‬ ָ ‫ל‬ֶ ֫ ‫ ָתּ ְג‬3fp ‫ֵהן‬
PC
[ַ] (‫ )פתח‬for reason the Hophal or
Huphal is a passive binyan, which as a general rule, always loads the
vowel [ַ] (‫ )פתח‬as theme or pillion vowel. Similarly, the prosthetic
syllable acting with the head consonant of the root forms a close syllable,
thus a ‫ שווא נח‬is needed beneath the head
consonant of the root.
Sample of PC for Huphal Imperf
ii. By this stage, it would be no longer
necessary to recite or rote up the full
zero vowel PC ‫ֻי ַגּשׁ‬ 3ms ‫הוּא‬
paradigm of each binyan, once the
Imperfective of the Hebrew verb has been
vocalic PC ‫ֻתּ ְגּ ִשׁי‬ 2fs ‫ַא ְתּ‬
properly understood.
consonantal
‫ ֻתּ ֫ ַגּ ְשׁ ָנה‬3fp ‫ֵהן‬
PC

‫ ברוך השם‬Steffen Han August 2010.