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Chapter Nine
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:
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
(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.
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.
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
[ַ] ( ) ֫ ַ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.
• 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:
(ii) By way of this, the vowel pattern in the conjugation of another verb: חיחto live
would be identical with that of היה.
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.
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.
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.
9.24
The default vowel scheme of Pu’al Imperfect
9.25
Reflexive Imperfect Tense
9.26
Causative Imperfect Tense