"Qal–Niphal Contrast Drill" — Exercise

Chapter 24 — Niphal Strong

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A 14-root exercise in three parts. Students are given a root with its Qal meaning and an attested Niphal form from the OT, then asked to translate the Niphal form, name its semantic function (Passive / Reflexive / Simple action), and explain in one sentence how the Niphal meaning relates to the Qal. Part A covers transitive roots (מָכַר, מָצָא, שָׁמַע, אָסַף, כָּרַת, נָתַן, אָכַל, שָׁמַר); Part B covers stative/intransitive roots (נָצַב, יָתַר, שָׁאַר); Part C covers roots with no standard Qal (לָחַם, נָחַם, שָׁבַע).

Sample Questions

Q1. 1 מָכַר to sell וַיִּמָּכֵר (Wayyiqtol 3ms) Gen 37:36

A: he was sold into Egypt Passive — The object of selling (Joseph) becomes the subject; Qal "to sell" → Niphal "to be sold"

Q2. 2 מָצָא to find יִמָּצֵא (Imperfect 3ms) Gen 44:9

A: is found (with the cup) Passive — The thing found becomes the subject; Qal "to find" → Niphal "to be found"

Q3. 3 שָׁמַע to hear נִשְׁמַע (Perfect 3ms) Gen 45:16

A: was heard (in Pharaoh's house) Passive — The report receives the hearing; Qal "to hear" → Niphal "to be heard / become audible"