BBH Chapter 16 — Qal Imperfect Weak Verbs¶
Files¶
Reference Files¶
| File | Description |
|---|---|
| qal-imperfect-paradigm.md | Strong paradigm reference (from Ch15) |
| qal-imperfect-weak-lamed-aleph-paradigms.md | III-א weak Imperfect paradigms |
| qal-imperfect-weak-lamed-he-paradigms.md | III-ה weak Imperfect paradigms + Jussive/Wayyiqtol |
| qal-imperfect-weak-lamed-guttural-paradigms.md | III-ח/ע weak Imperfect paradigms |
| qal-imperfect-weak-pe-guttural-paradigms.md | I-guttural weak Imperfect paradigms |
| qal-imperfect-weak-pe-paradigms.md | I-נ and I-י weak Imperfect paradigms (combined) |
| qal-imperfect-weak-biconsonantal-paradigms.md | Biconsonantal Imperfect paradigms + Wayyiqtol |
| qal-imperfect-weak-geminate-paradigms.md | Geminate Imperfect paradigms with Biconsonantal comparison |
Exercises¶
| Exercise | Description |
|---|---|
| exercises/ch16-passage-exercise/ | Parse weak-root Qal Imperfect and Wayyiqtol forms from Genesis 1–22; includes Weak Class column |
| exercises/ch16-weak-form-id/ | 40 forms — identify class, PGN, and root; Part A by class, Part B mixed |
Flashcards¶
| File | Format | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ch16-morphology-deck.md | Markdown | 40-card morphology deck — Qal Imperfect Weak forms across all eight weak root classes |
| ch16-morphology-deck.txt | Anki import | Morphology deck — tab-separated, ready for Anki File → Import (40 cards) |
| ch16-morphology-deck-fd.txt | Flashcards Deluxe | Morphology deck — tab-separated, ready for Flashcards Deluxe import (40 cards) |
| ch16-vocab-deck.md | Markdown | Vocabulary deck — 15 words (10 verbs, 3 nouns, 2 other) with POS tags and frequency |
| ch16-vocab-deck.txt | Anki import | Vocabulary deck — tab-separated, ready for Anki File → Import (15 cards) |
| ch16-vocab-deck-fd.txt | Flashcards Deluxe | Vocabulary deck — tab-separated, ready for Flashcards Deluxe import (15 cards) |
Notebooks¶
| Notebook | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Qal Stem | Qal stem: root×conjugation heatmap showing weak root imperfect patterns |
Basics of Biblical Hebrew, Pratico & Van Pelt Builds on Ch15 (Qal Imperfect Strong Verbs). Weak forms only.
Scope: This chapter extends the Qal Imperfect paradigm to eight weak-root classes, and also introduces the Wayyiqtol (sequential past Imperfect) and the short Imperfect (Jussive) as they appear in weak roots. Each class modifies the strong pattern through predictable phonological rules.
1. The Eight Weak Classes: Overview¶
| Class | Label | Key Imperfect effect | Wayyiqtol/Jussive effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| III-א (Lamed-Aleph) | lamed-aleph | Aleph quiesces; preceding vowel lengthens | Slight lengthening only |
| III-ה (Lamed-He) | lamed-he | Final ה replaced by -ֶה in long form | Short form drops ה entirely: יִבְנֶה → יִבֶן |
| III-ח/ע (Lamed-Guttural) | lamed-guttural | Patach furtive in 3ms/3fs long forms | Short forms: tsere → patach before guttural |
| I-guttural (Pe-Guttural) | pe-guttural | Chateph vowel under R1; prefix vowel shifts | Same |
| I-נ (Pe-Nun) | pe-nun | Nun assimilates into R2 by dagesh forte | Same pattern |
| I-י (Pe-Yod) | pe-yod | Yod contracts with prefix; distinctive הֵ/יֵ prefix | Short form has the yod pattern |
| Biconsonantal (II-י/ו) | biconsonantal | Middle vowel lengthens; qamets under prefix | Wayyiqtol uses וַיָּ pattern |
| Geminate (Ayin-Doubled, II=III) | geminate | Doubled consonant + dagesh forte; distinctive holem/seghol | Short form contracts |
Key principle: The Imperfect is where most weak-class effects are most visible. The Perfect was largely regular for I-נ, I-י, and I-guttural; here those classes produce major, highly recognizable changes.
2. III-א (Lamed-Aleph)¶
Pattern¶
In the Imperfect, the aleph at R3 generally quiesces (silent), and the preceding vowel is retained or slightly lengthened. The forms are close to the strong Imperfect but with the silent aleph ending:
- 3ms: יִמְצָא (tsere-aleph or patach-aleph — qamets replaces patach in some forms)
- The aleph is present in writing but silent in pronunciation
Diagnostic Markers¶
- 3ms/3fs/1cs: ends in silent א; preceding vowel often qamets
- 3mp: מְצְאוּ- or similar; aleph at end
- Short Jussive: same as long form (no shortening for III-א)
Paradigm Summary¶
| Person | Strong (יִקְטֹל) | III-א (יִמְצָא) | III-א (יִקְרָא) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3ms | יִקְטֹל | יִמְצָא | יִקְרָא |
| 3fs | תִּקְטֹל | תִּמְצָא | תִּקְרָא |
| 2ms | תִּקְטֹל | תִּמְצָא | תִּקְרָא |
| 2fs | תִּקְטְלִי | תִּמְצְאִי | תִּקְרְאִי |
| 1cs | אֶקְטֹל | אֶמְצָא | אֶקְרָא |
| 3mp | יִקְטְלוּ | יִמְצְאוּ | יִקְרְאוּ |
| 1cp | נִקְטֹל | נִמְצָא | נִקְרָא |
→ Full paradigm: qal-imperfect-weak-lamed-aleph-paradigms.md
Corpus Examples¶
- Gen 8:9 — וְלֹא־מָצְאָה הַיֹּונָה (Perfect — contrast with Imperfect)
- Exo 5:11 — אַשֶׁ֣ר תִּמְצָ֑אוּ — "that you find" (2mp Imperfect with patach-aleph ending)
3. III-ה (Lamed-He)¶
Pattern¶
This is the most important weak class for the Imperfect. The He at R3 appears as -ֶה (seghol + he) in the long Imperfect forms, and drops entirely in the short Jussive and Wayyiqtol:
- Long Imperfect 3ms: יִבְנֶ֫ה, יַעֲשֶׂ֫ה, יִרְאֶ֫ה
- Short Jussive 3ms: יִ֫בֶן, יַ֫עַשׂ, יֵ֫רֶא (the ה drops; vowel shortens)
- Wayyiqtol 3ms: וַיִּבֶן, וַיַּ֫עַשׂ, וַיַּ֫רְא
Diagnostic Markers¶
- Long form: -ֶה ending on the Imperfect (seghol + vowel letter he)
- Short Jussive/Wayyiqtol: final ה absent; preceding vowel often seghol or patach
- 3fs/2ms long form: also -ֶה ending (same as 3ms)
- 2fs: תִּבְנִי (hireq-yod replaces the seghol-he)
Paradigm Summary — III-ה Imperfect¶
| Person | Strong (יִקְטֹל) | III-ה (יִבְנֶה, בנה) | III-ה Jussive | III-ה Wayyiqtol |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3ms | יִקְטֹל | יִבְנֶ֫ה | יִ֫בֶן | וַיִּ֫בֶן |
| 3fs | תִּקְטֹל | תִּבְנֶ֫ה | תִּ֫בֶן | — |
| 2ms | תִּקְטֹל | תִּבְנֶ֫ה | תִּ֫בֶן | — |
| 2fs | תִּקְטְלִי | תִּבְנִי | תִּבְנִי | — |
| 1cs | אֶקְטֹל | אֶבְנֶ֫ה | אֶ֫בֶן | — |
| 3mp | יִקְטְלוּ | יִבְנ֫וּ | יִבְנ֫וּ | וַיִּבְנ֫וּ |
| 1cp | נִקְטֹל | נִבְנֶ֫ה | נִ֫בֶן | — |
→ Full paradigm: qal-imperfect-weak-lamed-he-paradigms.md
Corpus Examples¶
- Gen 2:19 — וַיִּצֶר֩ יְהוָ֨ה — wayyiqtol of יצר (I-gutt.; for comparison)
- Gen 1:7 — וַיַּ֣עַשׂ אֱלֹהִ֔ים אֶת־הָרָקִ֑יעַ — "and God made" (wayyiqtol of עשה III-ה)
- Gen 2:22 — וַיִּ֣בֶן יְהוָ֘ה אֱלֹהִים֮ — "and the LORD God built" (wayyiqtol of בנה III-ה)
- Gen 3:1 — תַּעֲשֶׂ֑ה כִּ֤י — "that you do/make" (2ms/3fs long form; III-ה seghol-he ending)
4. III-ח/ע (Lamed-Guttural)¶
Pattern¶
The guttural at R3 cannot close a syllable cleanly. In the long Imperfect, a patach furtive appears before the guttural in word-final open syllables (3ms, 3fs). In the short Imperfect (Jussive), there is no furtive — the tsere shifts to patach and the syllable is closed:
- Long 3ms: יִשְׁמַ֫עַ (patach furtive under guttural)
- Short Jussive 3ms: יִשְׁמַע (no furtive; the form shortens slightly)
- Wayyiqtol 3ms: וַיִּשְׁמַע (short form + waw prefix)
Diagnostic Markers¶
- Long form 3ms/3fs: patach furtive visible below and right of R2 vowel, before guttural
- Short/Wayyiqtol: guttural takes patach without furtive (syllable closed)
Paradigm Summary¶
| Person | Strong (יִקְטֹל) | III-ח (יִשְׁלַח) | III-ע (יִשְׁמַע) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3ms (long) | יִקְטֹל | יִשְׁלַ֫חַ | יִשְׁמַ֫עַ |
| 3ms (jussive) | יִקְטֹל | יִשְׁלַח | יִשְׁמַע |
| 3ms (wayyiqtol) | וַיִּקְטֹל | וַיִּשְׁלַח | וַיִּשְׁמַע |
| 3fs | תִּקְטֹל | תִּשְׁלַ֫חַ | תִּשְׁמַ֫עַ |
| 2ms | תִּקְטֹל | תִּשְׁלַח | תִּשְׁמַע |
| 1cs | אֶקְטֹל | אֶשְׁלַח | אֶשְׁמַע |
| 3mp | יִקְטְלוּ | יִשְׁלְחוּ | יִשְׁמְעוּ |
→ Full paradigm: qal-imperfect-weak-lamed-guttural-paradigms.md
Corpus Examples¶
- Gen 3:17 — כִּ֣י שָׁמַ֙עְתָּ֙ לְקֹ֣ול אִשְׁתֶּ֔ךָ — Perfect for contrast
- Exo 7:22 — וְלֹא־שָׁמַ֥ע אֲלֵהֶ֖ם פַּרְעֹ֑ה — "Pharaoh did not listen" (wayyiqtol/perfect 3ms; III-ע)
5. I-guttural (Pe-Guttural)¶
Pattern¶
The guttural at R1 cannot take dagesh forte and prefers composite shewa over vocal shewa. In the Imperfect prefix, the prefix vowel shifts:
- Standard strong prefix: hireq under prefix consonant (יִקְטֹל)
- I-guttural: composite shewa (chateph-patach) under the guttural; the prefix vowel before it often shifts:
- Before ח/ה/ע with chateph-patach: prefix vowel → patach: יַעֲמֹד, יַחֲלֹם
- Before א (silent aleph): the aleph takes chateph-qamets or drops: יֶאֱהַב or יֱהִי
Diagnostic Markers¶
- Prefix vowel is patach (not hireq) when R1 is ח/ה/ע: יַעֲ–, יַחֲ–, יַהֲ–
- Chateph-patach under the guttural: יַחֲלֹם (not יִחְלֹם)
- אָמַר / אָכַל pattern: prefix may show patach or seghol depending on the aleph
Paradigm Summary¶
| Person | Strong (יִקְטֹל) | I-gutt. ע (יַעֲמֹד) | I-gutt. א (יֹאמַר / יֹאמַר) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3ms | יִקְטֹל | יַעֲמֹד | יֹאמַר |
| 3fs | תִּקְטֹל | תַּעֲמֹד | תֹּאמַר |
| 2ms | תִּקְטֹל | תַּעֲמֹד | תֹּאמַר |
| 2fs | תִּקְטְלִי | תַּעַמְדִי | תֹּאמְרִי |
| 1cs | אֶקְטֹל | אֶעֱמֹד | אֹמַר |
| 3mp | יִקְטְלוּ | יַעַמְדוּ | יֹאמְרוּ |
| 1cp | נִקְטֹל | נַעֲמֹד | נֹאמַר |
Note on אָמַר: The 3ms imperfect of אמר is יֹאמַר — the aleph has silent (quiescent) behavior; the prefix takes a holem (not hireq). This is one of the highest-frequency verbs in the Torah; this form must be memorized.
→ Full paradigm: qal-imperfect-weak-pe-guttural-paradigms.md
Corpus Examples¶
- Gen 1:3 — וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֖ים — "and God said" (wayyiqtol of אמר; most common wayyiqtol in OT)
- Gen 2:16 — וַיְצַ֞ו יְהוָ֧ה — "and the LORD commanded" (Piel wayyiqtol; I-gutt. pattern)
- Gen 12:1 — וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָ֔ה — another instance of the dominant I-gutt. wayyiqtol
6. I-נ (Pe-Nun)¶
Pattern¶
This is one of the most dramatic weak-class effects in the entire Imperfect paradigm. The nun at R1 assimilates into the following consonant by dagesh forte whenever it would otherwise be in a non-syllable-opening position (i.e., before a consonant):
- 3ms Imperfect: יִנְתֹּן → יִתֵּן (nun assimilates into ת; tsere lengthens)
- 3ms of נָפַל: יִנְפֹּל → יִפֹּל
- Wayyiqtol: וַיִּתֵּן (dagesh in ת), וַיִּפֹּל (dagesh in פ)
- Forms with suffix (2fs, 3mp, etc.): nun assimilation applies throughout: תִּתְּנִי
Diagnostic Markers¶
- Dagesh forte in R2 (not R1) where the strong root would have R1-shewa + R2
- Tsere or holem under what appears to be R1 (but is actually the prefix + assimilated nun)
- Jussive 3ms: יִתֵּן (assimilation present; same as long Imperfect for I-נ)
Paradigm Summary¶
| Person | Strong (יִקְטֹל) | I-נ (יִתֵּן) | I-נ (יִפֹּל) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3ms | יִקְטֹל | יִתֵּן | יִפֹּל |
| 3fs | תִּקְטֹל | תִּתֵּן | תִּפֹּל |
| 2ms | תִּקְטֹל | תִּתֵּן | תִּפֹּל |
| 2fs | תִּקְטְלִי | תִּתְּנִי | תִּפְּלִי |
| 1cs | אֶקְטֹל | אֶתֵּן | אֶפֹּל |
| 3mp | יִקְטְלוּ | יִתְּנוּ | יִפְּלוּ |
| 1cp | נִקְטֹל | נִתֵּן | נִפֹּל |
| Wayyiqtol 3ms | וַיִּקְטֹל | וַיִּתֵּן | וַיִּפֹּל |
Nun is invisible but its effect (dagesh) is everywhere. When you see an unexpected dagesh forte in R1 of what appears to be a regular Imperfect prefix, suspect I-נ assimilation.
→ Full paradigm: qal-imperfect-weak-pe-paradigms.md (Part 1)
Corpus Examples¶
- Gen 1:29 — הִנֵּה נָתַ֫תִּי לָכֶם (Perfect — compare with Imperfect יִתֵּן)
- Gen 2:16 — מִכֹּ֥ל עֵֽץ הַגָּ֖ן אָכֹ֥ל תֹּאכֵֽל (I-gutt.; for comparison)
- Gen 9:3 — כְּיֶ֣רֶק עֵ֔שֶׂב נָתַ֥תִּי לָכֶ֖ם (perfect; imperfect is יִתֵּן)
- Gen 4:12 — תִּתֵּן לְךָ הָאָרֶץ אֶת יְבוּלָהּ — "the ground shall not yield its strength to you" (3fs Imperfect of נתן)
7. I-י (Pe-Yod)¶
Pattern¶
The yod at R1 contracts with the prefix vowel in the Imperfect, producing a distinctive pattern:
- Most I-י verbs: prefix takes tsere (not hireq); yod drops → יֵלֵד, יֵדַע
- Some I-י verbs follow a hollow pattern: יָשַׁב → יֵשֵׁב (tsere under prefix + tsere under R2)
- Wayyiqtol: וַיֵּ– pattern (waw + dagesh + tsere under prefix)
- Imperative (Ch18): the yod pattern will produce distinctive 2ms forms
Diagnostic Markers¶
- Tsere under prefix consonant (instead of hireq): יֵלֵד, יֵדַע, יֵשֵׁב
- Waw-consecutive: וַיֵּלֶד, וַיֵּדַע
- No yod at R1 in the Imperfect — the yod is replaced by the vowel pattern
Paradigm Summary¶
| Person | Strong (יִקְטֹל) | I-י (יֵלֵד) | I-י (יֵדַע) | I-י (יֵשֵׁב) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3ms | יִקְטֹל | יֵלֵד | יֵדַע | יֵשֵׁב |
| 3fs | תִּקְטֹל | תֵּלֵד | תֵּדַע | תֵּשֵׁב |
| 2ms | תִּקְטֹל | תֵּלֵד | תֵּדַע | תֵּשֵׁב |
| 2fs | תִּקְטְלִי | תֵּלְדִי | תֵּדְעִי | תֵּשְׁבִי |
| 1cs | אֶקְטֹל | אֵלֵד | אֵדַע | אֵשֵׁב |
| 3mp | יִקְטְלוּ | יֵלְדוּ | יֵדְעוּ | יֵשְׁבוּ |
| 1cp | נִקְטֹל | נֵלֵד | נֵדַע | נֵשֵׁב |
| Wayyiqtol 3ms | וַיִּקְטֹל | וַיֵּלֶד | וַיֵּדַע | וַיֵּשֶׁב |
→ Full paradigm: qal-imperfect-weak-pe-paradigms.md (Part 2)
Corpus Examples¶
- Gen 4:17 — וַיֵּ֤דַע קַ֙יִן֙ — "and Cain knew" (wayyiqtol of ידע I-י)
- Gen 4:18 — וַיִּוָּלֵד לַחֲנֹוךְ — (Niphal wayyiqtol of ילד; contrast with Qal וַיֵּלֶד)
- Gen 21:3 — וַיִּקְרָ֨א אַבְרָהָ֜ם — (I-gutt.; for comparison of prefix patterns)
8. Biconsonantal (II-י/ו)¶
Pattern¶
The middle vowel letter of biconsonantal roots produces a distinctive Imperfect pattern:
- Long vowel under prefix consonant: יָקוּם (qamets = lengthened holem under prefix)
- The "long" Imperfect form has no R2 consonant — the middle vowel fills that position: יָקוּם (from קוּם), יָבוֹא (from בּוֹא), יָשׁוּב (from שׁוּב)
- Wayyiqtol 3ms: וַיָּ– pattern: וַיָּקׇם, וַיָּבֹא, וַיָּשָׁב
- Short Jussive: long vowel shortens: יָקׇם → יָקׄם (qamets hatuf)
Diagnostic Markers¶
- Qamets under prefix consonant (not hireq): יָקוּם, יָבוֹא — the "lengthened" prefix
- No R2 consonant between prefix and the long vowel (ו or י as vocalic element)
- Wayyiqtol: וַיָּ– prefix with qamets under the doubled prefix consonant
Paradigm Summary¶
| Person | Strong (יִקְטֹל) | Bicons. (יָקוּם) | Bicons. (יָבוֹא) | Bicons. (יָשׁוּב) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3ms | יִקְטֹל | יָקוּם | יָבוֹא | יָשׁוּב |
| 3fs | תִּקְטֹל | תָּקוּם | תָּבוֹא | תָּשׁוּב |
| 2ms | תִּקְטֹל | תָּקוּם | תָּבוֹא | תָּשׁוּב |
| 2fs | תִּקְטְלִי | תָּקוּמִי | תָּבֹאִי | תָּשׁוּבִי |
| 1cs | אֶקְטֹל | אָקוּם | אָבוֹא | אָשׁוּב |
| 3mp | יִקְטְלוּ | יָקֻ֫מוּ | יָבֹ֫אוּ | יָשׁ֫וּבוּ |
| 1cp | נִקְטֹל | נָקוּם | נָבוֹא | נָשׁוּב |
| Wayyiqtol 3ms | וַיִּקְטֹל | וַיָּ֫קׇם | וַיָּ֫בֹא | וַיָּ֫שׇׁב |
→ Full paradigm: qal-imperfect-weak-biconsonantal-paradigms.md
Corpus Examples¶
- Gen 19:1 — וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ שְׁנֵ֣י הַמַּלְאָכִ֔ים — "and the two angels came" (wayyiqtol 3mp of בּוֹא)
- Gen 22:3 — וַיָּ֣קׇם אַבְרָהָ֗ם — "and Abraham arose" (wayyiqtol 3ms of קוּם)
- Gen 14:17 — וַיֵּצֵא֩ מֶ֨לֶד סְדֹ֜ם — (I-י wayyiqtol; for contrast)
9. Geminate (Ayin-Doubled, II=III)¶
Pattern¶
In the Imperfect, the geminate root shows the doubled consonant with dagesh forte when the syllable structure allows it, and a distinctive vowel:
- 3ms: יָסֹב (holem; "lengthened" prefix qamets) or יִסֹּב (hireq prefix + holem + dagesh forte in R2)
- Some Geminate Imperfect 3ms forms look similar to Biconsonantal — root knowledge required
- Wayyiqtol 3ms: וַיָּסֹב (qamets under prefix, holem under R2)
Diagnostic Markers¶
- Dagesh forte in the doubled consonant (R2 = R3): יִסֹּב, יִתְמֹּם
- Or short contracted form without visible dagesh in final position: יָסֹב (with qamets)
- Biconsonantal confusable: both classes can show qamets under prefix + short root; root knowledge is required
Paradigm Summary¶
| Person | Strong (יִקְטֹל) | Geminate (יָסֹב) | Geminate (יִתְמֹּם) | Biconsonantal (compare) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3ms | יִקְטֹל | יָסֹב / יִסֹּב | יִתְמֹּם | יָקוּם |
| 3fs | תִּקְטֹל | תָּסֹב / תִּסֹּב | תִּתְמֹּם | תָּקוּם |
| 2ms | תִּקְטֹל | תָּסֹב | תִּתְמֹּם | תָּקוּם |
| 3mp | יִקְטְלוּ | יָסֹ֫בּוּ | יִתְמְּמוּ | יָקֻ֫מוּ |
| Wayyiqtol 3ms | וַיִּקְטֹל | וַיָּ֫סׇּב | וַיִּתְמֹּם | וַיָּ֫קׇם |
→ Full paradigm: qal-imperfect-weak-geminate-paradigms.md
Corpus Examples¶
- Num 32:13 — וַיַּ֤נַּע אֹתָם֙ — (Hiphil; Geminate context)
- Deut 2:15 — עַד תֻּמָּ֖ם — "until they were finished" (Qal inf. const. of תמם; contrast with imperfect)
10. High-Frequency Weak Lemmas — Torah Qal Imperfect¶
Source: MACULA Hebrew WLC, Genesis–Deuteronomy, Qal Imperfect (yiqtol) tokens. Weak roots only.
| Root | Class | Torah tokens | OT tokens | Imperfect 3ms | Gloss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| הָיָה | III-ה | 358 | 3,576 | יִהְיֶה | be, become |
| עָשָׂה | III-ה | 228 | 2,627 | יַעֲשֶׂה | do, make |
| אָכַל | I-gutt. | 143 | 817 | יֹאכַל | eat |
| נָתַן | I-נ | 125 | 2,014 | יִתֵּן | give |
| בּוֹא | Biconsonantal | 89 | 2,575 | יָבוֹא | come |
| לָקַח | I-gutt. | 73 | 967 | יִקַּח | take (I-gutt. + special) |
| שָׁמַע | III-gutt. | 54 | 1,159 | יִשְׁמַע | hear |
| מוּת | Biconsonantal | 53 | 837 | יָמוּת | die |
| הָלַך | I-gutt. | 52 | 1,547 | יֵלֵךְ | walk, go |
| אָמַר | I-gutt. (+ א) | 43 | 5,308 | יֹאמַר | say |
| נָשָׂא | I-נ / III-א | 43 | 654 | יִשָּׂא | lift, carry |
| רָאָה | III-ה | 42 | 1,311 | יִרְאֶה | see |
| יָכֹל | Stative-C | 42 | 193 | יוּכַל | be able |
| יָצָא | I-י | 35 | 1,017 | יֵצֵא | go out |
| שָׁמַר | III-gutt. | 31 | 469 | יִשְׁמֹר | keep, guard |
Note on לָקַח (take): This verb follows I-guttural patterns in the Imperfect in a special way: the lamed is actually a I-ל verb with irregular forms. The Imperfect 3ms is יִקַּח — the lamedh drops, the qoph takes dagesh. This must be memorized.
Note on הָלַך (walk): The Imperfect 3ms is יֵלֵךְ — the he drops and a tsere prefix pattern emerges (similar to I-י). This is also a special case to memorize.
11. Practice¶
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Morphology Flashcard Deck | ~40 cards across all eight weak classes in the Imperfect. |
| Passage Exercise | Parse weak-root Qal Imperfect and Wayyiqtol forms from Genesis 1–22; includes Weak Class column. |
| Weak-Form ID Drill | 40 forms — identify class, PGN, and root; Part A by class, Part B mixed. |