"Weak-Form Identification Drill" — Exercise

Chapter 25 — Niphal Weak

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A 52-item identification and parsing exercise covering all eight Niphal weak classes (III-א, III-ה, III-ח/ע, I-guttural, I-נ, I-י, Biconsonantal, Geminate). Part A (items 1–40) groups forms by class — five items per class — so students can build class-by-class recognition before mixing. Part B (items 41–52) presents forms from multiple classes in random order; students must identify the weak class first, then parse. Answer keys for both parts include diagnostic markers. Seven discussion questions focus on pairs of forms that could be confused.

Sample Questions

Q1. 1 נִמְצָא Gen 44:12 silent final א; identical in pointing to participle ms ▶

A: III-א Perfect 3ms מָצָא — it was found; the silent א at the end is the only difference from a strong-root נִקְטַל

Q2. 2 יִמָּצֵא Gen 44:10 final tsere + silent א ▶

A: III-א Imperfect 3ms מָצָא — "let it be found"; the tsere ends the syllable but the א following is silent

Q3. 3 וַיִּמָּצֵא Gen 44:12 wayyiqtol prefix + dagesh in R1 + final silent א ▶

A: III-א Wayyiqtol 3ms מָצָא — "and it was found"; narrative climax of the cup-in-the-sack scene