Niphal (נִפְעַל) — Full Conjugation Paradigms

Model root: קטל (Qal: קָטַל). All forms are strong-root paradigms.
Qal column is included for direct comparison at each conjugation.
Source: Basics of Biblical Hebrew, Pratico & Van Pelt, Ch. 23–25

Perfect (Qatal)

BBH §23.3 — Niphal prefix: נִ; characteristic vowel: patach under first root letter

Key marker: נִ prefix + patach under first root consonant. Distinguished from Hiphil perfect (הִקְטִיל) by נִ vs. הִ and the absence of the characteristic chiriq in the second syllable.

Imperfect (Yiqtol)

BBH §23.5 — Niphal: dagesh forte in first root letter (assimilated נ) + tsere in final syllable

Key marker: Doubled (dagesh forte) first root consonant + tsere in final syllable. The doubling reflects assimilation of the נ prefix. Qal has hiriq prefix + holem final (יִקְטֹל); Niphal has same prefix vowel but dagesh in R1 and tsere final.

Wayyiqtol

Sequential narrative form of the imperfect. Same dagesh + tsere pattern as the yiqtol.

Key marker: Both Qal and Niphal use וַיִּ prefix — the distinguishing feature is the dagesh forte in R1 in the Niphal (וַיִּקָּטֵל) vs. its absence in the Qal (וַיִּקְטֹל).

Weqatal

Sequential future/consequential form of the perfect. וְ + perfect form.

Key marker: וְ + identical to the perfect paradigm. Context distinguishes it from a simple perfect with vav-conjunction.

Imperative

BBH §23.7 — Niphal prefix: הִ; tsere in final syllable

Key marker: Niphal imperative has הִ prefix (hiriq) + dagesh in R1 + tsere. Qal has no prefix. Distinguish from Hiphil imperative (הַקְטֵל — patach under הַ, no dagesh in R1).

Infinitive Construct

BBH §23.9 — Niphal prefix: הִ; tsere in final syllable

Key marker: הִ prefix + dagesh in R1 + tsere. Identical in form to the Niphal imperative 2ms; context and prepositions clarify function.

Infinitive Absolute

BBH §23.11 — Niphal prefix: נִ; holem in final syllable

Usage: Appears before or after a finite Niphal verb for emphasis (הִמָּצֵא יִמָּצֵא "he will certainly be found," Exo 22:3). Qal inf. absolute uses qamets-holem (קָטוֹל); Niphal uses נִ prefix + holem (נִקְטֹל).

Participle (Passive)

BBH §23.13 — Niphal prefix: נִ; qamets under second root consonant

Key marker: נִ prefix + qamets under R2 (ms). Distinguish from the perfect 3ms (נִקְטַל — patach under R2 vs. qamets in the participle).

Summary: Qal vs. Niphal at a Glance