Chapter 25 — Niphal Weak-Form Identification Drill

BBH Chapter 25 · Niphal Weak Verbs

For each form: (1) identify the weak class, (2) parse (conjugation + PGN), (3) identify the root.

Class	Key diagnostic signal
III-א	Silent final א; form looks nearly identical to the strong root
III-ה	Final ָה (perfect) / ֶה (imperfect/participle) / וֹת (inf. construct) / apocopated wayyiqtol
III-ח/ע	Pathach furtive before final ח/ע in open syllables (perfect/imperfect/participle); Pathach replaces Tsere in short forms (wayyiqtol/imperative)
I-guttural	נֶ prefix (perfect/participle); יֵ / הֵ prefix (imperfect/wayyiqtol/imperative/inf.); no dagesh in R1
I-נ	Dagesh forte in R2; root's own נ invisible throughout the paradigm
I-י	נוֹ prefix (perfect/weqatal/participle); יִוָּ / הִוָּ prefix (imperfect/wayyiqtol/imperative/inf.)
Biconsonantal	נָ prefix (Qamets) in perfect and participle ms; dagesh forte in R1 + contracted root in imperfect/wayyiqtol/imperative/inf.
Geminate	נָ prefix (Qamets) in perfect and participle ms (same as Biconsonantal!); dagesh forte in R2/R3 + Holem in imperfect/wayyiqtol/imperative; perfect = participle

Part A — By Class

#	Form	Reference	Diagnostic Signal
1	נִמְצָא	Gen 44:12	silent final א; identical in pointing to participle ms
III-א	Perfect	3ms	מָצָא — it was found; the silent א at the end is the only difference from a strong-root נִקְטַל
2	יִמָּצֵא	Gen 44:10	final Tsere + silent א
III-א	Imperfect	3ms	מָצָא — "let it be found"; the Tsere ends the syllable but the א following is silent
3	וַיִּמָּצֵא	Gen 44:12	wayyiqtol prefix + dagesh in R1 + final silent א
III-א	Wayyiqtol	3ms	מָצָא — "and it was found"; narrative climax of the cup-in-the-sack scene
4	הִמָּצֵא	Exo 22:3	הִ prefix + dagesh in R1 + final silent א; imperative or inf. construct
III-א	Inf. Absolute (also = Inf. Construct) ·		· מָצָא — used here as inf. absolute in the emphatic construction הִמָּצֵא יִמָּצֵא; "is actually found"
5	הַנִּמְצָא	Gen 47:14	article (הַ) + נִ prefix; final silent א — substantival participle
III-א	Participle	ms	מָצָא — "that which was found [in the land of Egypt]"; article + Niphal participle functioning as a noun

Form

Reference

Diagnostic Signal

Class

Conjugation

PGN

Root

נִמְצָא

Gen 44:12

silent final א; identical in pointing to participle ms

III-א

Perfect

3ms

מָצָא — it was found; the silent א at the end is the only difference from a strong-root נִקְטַל

יִמָּצֵא

Gen 44:10

final Tsere + silent א

III-א

Imperfect

3ms

מָצָא — "let it be found"; the Tsere ends the syllable but the א following is silent

וַיִּמָּצֵא

Gen 44:12

wayyiqtol prefix + dagesh in R1 + final silent א

III-א

Wayyiqtol

3ms

מָצָא — "and it was found"; narrative climax of the cup-in-the-sack scene

הִמָּצֵא

Exo 22:3

הִ prefix + dagesh in R1 + final silent א; imperative or inf. construct

III-א

Inf. Absolute (also = Inf. Construct) ·

· מָצָא — used here as inf. absolute in the emphatic construction הִמָּצֵא יִמָּצֵא; "is actually found"

הַנִּמְצָא

Gen 47:14

article (הַ) + נִ prefix; final silent א — substantival participle

III-א

Participle

מָצָא — "that which was found [in the land of Egypt]"; article + Niphal participle functioning as a noun

#	Form	Reference	Diagnostic Signal
6	נִגְלָה	Isa 40:5	final ָה — it is the root ending, not the 3fs suffix
III-ה	Perfect	3ms	גָּלָה — "the glory of the LORD will be revealed"
7	יִגָּלֶה	Isa 53:1	final ֶה instead of Tsere + consonant — III-ה imperfect marker
III-ה	Imperfect	3ms	גָּלָה — "to whom has it been revealed?"
8	וַיִּגָּל	Num 24:4	apocopated wayyiqtol — the ה is completely dropped; form ends abruptly
III-ה	Wayyiqtol	3ms	גָּלָה — "whose eyes are unveiled"; Balaam's oracle — the apocopated form is the signature III-ה wayyiqtol signal
9	לְהִגָּלוֹת	Isa 49:9	הִ + dagesh + וֹת suffix — the ת distinguishes inf. construct from imperative
III-ה	Inf. Construct ·		· גָּלָה — "to show themselves" (the prisoners appearing); inf. construct with לְ preposition
10	וַיֵּרָא	Gen 12:7	apocopated + וַיֵּ (not וַיִּ) — ר rejects dagesh; compensatory Tsere; ה dropped
III-ה	Wayyiqtol	3ms	רָאָה — "and the LORD appeared to Abram"; doubly weak: III-ה + ר compensatory lengthening

Form

Reference

Diagnostic Signal

Class

Conjugation

PGN

Root

נִגְלָה

Isa 40:5

final ָה — it is the root ending, not the 3fs suffix

III-ה

Perfect

3ms

גָּלָה — "the glory of the LORD will be revealed"

יִגָּלֶה

Isa 53:1

final ֶה instead of Tsere + consonant — III-ה imperfect marker

III-ה

Imperfect

3ms

גָּלָה — "to whom has it been revealed?"

וַיִּגָּל

Num 24:4

apocopated wayyiqtol — the ה is completely dropped; form ends abruptly

III-ה

Wayyiqtol

3ms

גָּלָה — "whose eyes are unveiled"; Balaam's oracle — the apocopated form is the signature III-ה wayyiqtol signal

לְהִגָּלוֹת

Isa 49:9

הִ + dagesh + וֹת suffix — the ת distinguishes inf. construct from imperative

III-ה

Inf. Construct ·

· גָּלָה — "to show themselves" (the prisoners appearing); inf. construct with לְ preposition

וַיֵּרָא

Gen 12:7

apocopated + וַיֵּ (not וַיִּ) — ר rejects dagesh; compensatory Tsere; ה dropped

III-ה

Wayyiqtol

3ms

רָאָה — "and the LORD appeared to Abram"; doubly weak: III-ה + ר compensatory lengthening

#	Form	Reference	Diagnostic Signal
11	נֶאֱמַר	Exo 5:13	נֶ prefix + composite Shewa (hateph-Seghol) under א
I-guttural	Perfect	3ms	אָמַר — "it was said to you [finish your daily quota]"; passive of אָמַר
12	יֵאָמֵר	Num 21:14	יֵ prefix (not יִ); no dagesh in א
I-guttural	Imperfect	3ms	אָמַר — "as it is said in the Book of the Wars of the LORD"; impersonal passive
13	וַיֵּאָמֵר	Gen 10:9	וַיֵּ prefix (not וַיִּ); no dagesh in א — the most common I-guttural Niphal wayyiqtol in the OT
I-guttural	Wayyiqtol	3ms	אָמַר — "it was said of him: a mighty hunter before the LORD"; impersonal passive in a proverbial formula
14	הֵעָמֵד	Exo 9:16	הֵ prefix (not הִ); no dagesh in ע
I-guttural	Inf. Construct ·		· עָמַד — "for this purpose I have let you stand"; inf. construct with לְ in the plague speech
15	נֶאֱמָן	Deu 7:9	נֶ prefix + composite Shewa; Qamets under R2 — participle shape
I-guttural	Participle	ms	אָמַן — "he is the faithful God who keeps covenant"; used here as a predicate adjective

Form

Reference

Diagnostic Signal

Class

Conjugation

PGN

Root

נֶאֱמַר

Exo 5:13

נֶ prefix + composite Shewa (hateph-Seghol) under א

I-guttural

Perfect

3ms

אָמַר — "it was said to you [finish your daily quota]"; passive of אָמַר

יֵאָמֵר

Num 21:14

יֵ prefix (not יִ); no dagesh in א

I-guttural

Imperfect

3ms

אָמַר — "as it is said in the Book of the Wars of the LORD"; impersonal passive

וַיֵּאָמֵר

Gen 10:9

וַיֵּ prefix (not וַיִּ); no dagesh in א — the most common I-guttural Niphal wayyiqtol in the OT

I-guttural

Wayyiqtol

3ms

אָמַר — "it was said of him: a mighty hunter before the LORD"; impersonal passive in a proverbial formula

הֵעָמֵד

Exo 9:16

הֵ prefix (not הִ); no dagesh in ע

I-guttural

Inf. Construct ·

· עָמַד — "for this purpose I have let you stand"; inf. construct with לְ in the plague speech

נֶאֱמָן

Deu 7:9

נֶ prefix + composite Shewa; Qamets under R2 — participle shape

I-guttural

Participle

אָמַן — "he is the faithful God who keeps covenant"; used here as a predicate adjective

#	Form	Reference	Diagnostic Signal
16	נִגַּשׁ	Gen 44:18	נִ prefix; dagesh forte in ג (R2); נ of root invisible
I-נ	Perfect	3ms	נָגַשׁ — "then Judah drew near to him"; reflexive Niphal of approach
17	וַיִּגַּשׁ	Gen 44:18	wayyiqtol + dagesh forte in ג (R2) — no dagesh in prefix letter
I-נ	Wayyiqtol	3ms	נָגַשׁ — "and Judah drew near"; the wayyiqtol follows the perfect within the same verse
18	נִצַּלְתֶּם	Exo 12:27	נִ prefix; dagesh forte in צ (R2); 2mp suffix תֶּם
I-נ	Perfect	2mp	נָצַל — "your houses you spared / you were delivered"; the Passover institution speech
19	הִנָּצֵל	Prov 6:3	הִ prefix; dagesh forte in נּ (the root's own נ assimilates into R2); Tsere
I-נ	Imperative	2ms	נָצַל — "deliver yourself! — go, humble yourself"; reflexive Niphal imperative; root נָצַל has נ as R1
20	וַיִּנָּצֵל	Gen 32:31	wayyiqtol prefix + dagesh forte in נּ (R2 of נָצַל); Tsere
I-נ	Wayyiqtol	3ms	נָצַל — "and Jacob was delivered / passed over [Peniel]"; the Peniel narrative; passive Niphal of נָצַל

Form

Reference

Diagnostic Signal

Class

Conjugation

PGN

Root

נִגַּשׁ

Gen 44:18

נִ prefix; dagesh forte in ג (R2); נ of root invisible

I-נ

Perfect

3ms

נָגַשׁ — "then Judah drew near to him"; reflexive Niphal of approach

וַיִּגַּשׁ

Gen 44:18

wayyiqtol + dagesh forte in ג (R2) — no dagesh in prefix letter

I-נ

Wayyiqtol

3ms

נָגַשׁ — "and Judah drew near"; the wayyiqtol follows the perfect within the same verse

נִצַּלְתֶּם

Exo 12:27

נִ prefix; dagesh forte in צ (R2); 2mp suffix תֶּם

I-נ

Perfect

2mp

נָצַל — "your houses you spared / you were delivered"; the Passover institution speech

הִנָּצֵל

Prov 6:3

הִ prefix; dagesh forte in נּ (the root's own נ assimilates into R2); Tsere

I-נ

Imperative

2ms

נָצַל — "deliver yourself! — go, humble yourself"; reflexive Niphal imperative; root נָצַל has נ as R1

וַיִּנָּצֵל

Gen 32:31

wayyiqtol prefix + dagesh forte in נּ (R2 of נָצַל); Tsere

I-נ

Wayyiqtol

3ms

נָצַל — "and Jacob was delivered / passed over [Peniel]"; the Peniel narrative; passive Niphal of נָצַל

#	Form	Reference	Diagnostic Signal
21	נוֹלַד	Gen 21:3	נוֹ prefix + Pathach under R2 — perfect/weqatal pattern
I-י	Perfect	3ms	יָלַד — "for a son has been born to him"; Isaac's birth announcement
22	וַיִּוָּלֵד	Gen 4:18	וַיִּוָּ cluster — the visually distinctive genealogical form
I-י	Wayyiqtol	3ms	יָלַד — "and to Enoch was born Irad"; antediluvian genealogy; וַיִּוָּ is unmistakable
23	יִוָּלֵד	Gen 17:17	יִוָּ cluster; Tsere under R2
I-י	Imperfect	3ms	יָלַד — "shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old?" — Abraham's astonished question
24	בְּהִוָּלֶד	Gen 21:5	הִוָּ prefix + בְּ preposition; inf. construct of I-י
I-י	Inf. Construct ·		· יָלַד — "when Isaac was born to him"; temporal clause with בְּ + inf. construct
25	נוֹלָד	1 Kgs 13:2	נוֹ prefix + Qamets under R2 (vs. Pathach in perfect)
I-י	Participle	ms	יָלַד — "a son shall be born to the house of David"; prophetic oracle; נוֹלָד (Qamets) = participle; cf. נוֹלַד (Pathach) = perfect

Form

Reference

Diagnostic Signal

Class

Conjugation

PGN

Root

נוֹלַד

Gen 21:3

נוֹ prefix + Pathach under R2 — perfect/weqatal pattern

I-י

Perfect

3ms

יָלַד — "for a son has been born to him"; Isaac's birth announcement

וַיִּוָּלֵד

Gen 4:18

וַיִּוָּ cluster — the visually distinctive genealogical form

I-י

Wayyiqtol

3ms

יָלַד — "and to Enoch was born Irad"; antediluvian genealogy; וַיִּוָּ is unmistakable

יִוָּלֵד

Gen 17:17

יִוָּ cluster; Tsere under R2

I-י

Imperfect

3ms

יָלַד — "shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old?" — Abraham's astonished question

בְּהִוָּלֶד

Gen 21:5

הִוָּ prefix + בְּ preposition; inf. construct of I-י

I-י

Inf. Construct ·

· יָלַד — "when Isaac was born to him"; temporal clause with בְּ + inf. construct

נוֹלָד

1 Kgs 13:2

נוֹ prefix + Qamets under R2 (vs. Pathach in perfect)

I-י

Participle

יָלַד — "a son shall be born to the house of David"; prophetic oracle; נוֹלָד (Qamets) = participle; cf. נוֹלַד (Pathach) = perfect

#	Form	Reference	Diagnostic Signal
26	נִשְׁמַע	Est 1:20	Pathach furtive beneath final ע in open stressed syllable
III-ח/ע	Perfect	3ms	שָׁמַע — "the decree will be heard throughout all his kingdom"; the Pathach furtive before final ע is the class marker
27	יִשָּׁמַע	Exo 28:35	Pathach under R3 (not Tsere as in strong root); dagesh forte in שׁ (R1)
III-ח/ע	Imperfect	3ms	שָׁמַע — "its sound shall be heard when he goes into the Holy Place"; the guttural forces Pathach instead of Tsere
28	וַיִּשָּׁמַע	Gen 45:2	wayyiqtol + Pathach before final ע; no Pathach furtive (short form)
III-ח/ע	Wayyiqtol	3ms	שָׁמַע — "and the sound was heard in Pharaoh's house"; Joseph's weeping when he revealed himself; Pathach before ע, no furtive
29	הִשָּׁמַע	Deu 4:32	הִ prefix + dagesh in שׁ + Pathach before final ע
III-ח/ע	Imperative / Inf. Construct	2ms /	· שָׁמַע — "has anything like this great thing been heard?"; Niphal of שמע used here as a reflexive/passive; same form for imperative and inf. construct
30	נִשְׁמָע	Ecc 12:13	נִ prefix + Qamets + Pathach furtive before ע
III-ח/ע	Participle	ms	שָׁמַע — "the end of the matter; all has been heard"; substantival participle closing Ecclesiastes; Qamets under R2 + furtive before ע

Form

Reference

Diagnostic Signal

Class

Conjugation

PGN

Root

נִשְׁמַע

Est 1:20

Pathach furtive beneath final ע in open stressed syllable

III-ח/ע

Perfect

3ms

שָׁמַע — "the decree will be heard throughout all his kingdom"; the Pathach furtive before final ע is the class marker

יִשָּׁמַע

Exo 28:35

Pathach under R3 (not Tsere as in strong root); dagesh forte in שׁ (R1)

III-ח/ע

Imperfect

3ms

שָׁמַע — "its sound shall be heard when he goes into the Holy Place"; the guttural forces Pathach instead of Tsere

וַיִּשָּׁמַע

Gen 45:2

wayyiqtol + Pathach before final ע; no Pathach furtive (short form)

III-ח/ע

Wayyiqtol

3ms

שָׁמַע — "and the sound was heard in Pharaoh's house"; Joseph's weeping when he revealed himself; Pathach before ע, no furtive

הִשָּׁמַע

Deu 4:32

הִ prefix + dagesh in שׁ + Pathach before final ע

III-ח/ע

Imperative / Inf. Construct

2ms /

· שָׁמַע — "has anything like this great thing been heard?"; Niphal of שמע used here as a reflexive/passive; same form for imperative and inf. construct

נִשְׁמָע

Ecc 12:13

נִ prefix + Qamets + Pathach furtive before ע

III-ח/ע

Participle

שָׁמַע — "the end of the matter; all has been heard"; substantival participle closing Ecclesiastes; Qamets under R2 + furtive before ע

#	Form	Reference	Diagnostic Signal
31	נָכוֹן	Gen 41:32	נָ prefix (Qamets under נ) + medial וֹ — perfect 3ms of biconsonantal
Biconsonantal	Perfect	3ms	כּוּן — "the thing is fixed (established) by God"; from כּוּן; the נָ prefix is the class marker
32	יִכּוֹן	Psa 93:2	dagesh forte in כּ (R1); contracted root כּוֹ; Niphal assimilation marker
Biconsonantal	Imperfect	3ms	כּוּן — "your throne is established from of old"; the dagesh forte in כּ (R1) marks the Niphal imperfect assimilation
33	נָכוֹן	Psa 57:8	same form as perfect 3ms; context (predicate to "my heart") reveals it as participial
Biconsonantal	Participle	ms	כּוּן — "my heart is steadfast, O God"; נָ prefix + vocalic structure identical to perfect — only context distinguishes participle from perfect in biconsonantal Niphal
34	וַיִּקּוֹם	(expected form)	וַיִּ + dagesh forte in ק (R1); contracted root קוֹ
Biconsonantal	Wayyiqtol	3ms	קוּם — "and it was established / raised up"; וַיִּ prefix + dagesh forte in R1 (Niphal assimilation) + contracted root
35	הִקּוֹם	(expected form)	הִ prefix + dagesh forte in ק (R1) + contracted root
Biconsonantal	Imperative	2ms	קוּם — "be established! / rise up!"; הִ + dagesh forte in R1 + contracted root; same shape as inf. construct — context identifies

Form

Reference

Diagnostic Signal

Class

Conjugation

PGN

Root

נָכוֹן

Gen 41:32

נָ prefix (Qamets under נ) + medial וֹ — perfect 3ms of biconsonantal

Biconsonantal

Perfect

3ms

כּוּן — "the thing is fixed (established) by God"; from כּוּן; the נָ prefix is the class marker

יִכּוֹן

Psa 93:2

dagesh forte in כּ (R1); contracted root כּוֹ; Niphal assimilation marker

Biconsonantal

Imperfect

3ms

כּוּן — "your throne is established from of old"; the dagesh forte in כּ (R1) marks the Niphal imperfect assimilation

נָכוֹן

Psa 57:8

same form as perfect 3ms; context (predicate to "my heart") reveals it as participial

Biconsonantal

Participle

כּוּן — "my heart is steadfast, O God"; נָ prefix + vocalic structure identical to perfect — only context distinguishes participle from perfect in biconsonantal Niphal

וַיִּקּוֹם

(expected form)

וַיִּ + dagesh forte in ק (R1); contracted root קוֹ

Biconsonantal

Wayyiqtol

3ms

קוּם — "and it was established / raised up"; וַיִּ prefix + dagesh forte in R1 (Niphal assimilation) + contracted root

הִקּוֹם

(expected form)

הִ prefix + dagesh forte in ק (R1) + contracted root

Biconsonantal

Imperative

2ms

קוּם — "be established! / rise up!"; הִ + dagesh forte in R1 + contracted root; same shape as inf. construct — context identifies

#	Form	Reference	Diagnostic Signal
36	נָסַב	Josh 15:3	נָ prefix (Qamets) — same as Biconsonantal; root is ס-ב-ב (three consonants, R2=R3) not hollow
Geminate	Perfect	3ms	סָבַב — "the border went around toward Azmon"; נָ prefix (Qamets) is identical to Biconsonantal — only the root structure reveals the class
37	וַיִּסֹּב	1 Sam 7:16	וַיִּ prefix + dagesh forte in ב (R2=R3 doubled) + Holem
Geminate	Wayyiqtol	3ms	סָבַב — "he went on circuit year by year"; Samuel's judicial rounds; dagesh forte in ב marks the doubled consonant
38	יִסֹּב	Josh 19:34	dagesh forte in ב; Holem in contracted root
Geminate	Imperfect	3ms	סָבַב — "the border turns toward the west"; the dagesh forte in ב signals the doubled root consonant
39	הִסֹּב	2 Sam 18:30	הִ prefix + dagesh forte in ב (R2=R3); Holem
Geminate	Imperative	2ms	סָבַב — "turn aside, stand here"; Joab commands; הִ + dagesh forte in R2 + Holem
40	נָסַב	Psa 26:6	same form as perfect 3ms — context (parallel with "I go around") reveals participial use
Geminate	Participle	ms	סָבַב — "I go around your altar, O LORD"; נָ prefix identical to perfect 3ms — the perfect/participle ambiguity is the same challenge as the Biconsonantal class

Form

Reference

Diagnostic Signal

Class

Conjugation

PGN

Root

נָסַב

Josh 15:3

נָ prefix (Qamets) — same as Biconsonantal; root is ס-ב-ב (three consonants, R2=R3) not hollow

Geminate

Perfect

3ms

סָבַב — "the border went around toward Azmon"; נָ prefix (Qamets) is identical to Biconsonantal — only the root structure reveals the class

וַיִּסֹּב

1 Sam 7:16

וַיִּ prefix + dagesh forte in ב (R2=R3 doubled) + Holem

Geminate

Wayyiqtol

3ms

סָבַב — "he went on circuit year by year"; Samuel's judicial rounds; dagesh forte in ב marks the doubled consonant

יִסֹּב

Josh 19:34

dagesh forte in ב; Holem in contracted root

Geminate

Imperfect

3ms

סָבַב — "the border turns toward the west"; the dagesh forte in ב signals the doubled root consonant

הִסֹּב

2 Sam 18:30

הִ prefix + dagesh forte in ב (R2=R3); Holem

Geminate

Imperative

2ms

סָבַב — "turn aside, stand here"; Joab commands; הִ + dagesh forte in R2 + Holem

נָסַב

Psa 26:6

same form as perfect 3ms — context (parallel with "I go around") reveals participial use

Geminate

Participle

סָבַב — "I go around your altar, O LORD"; נָ prefix identical to perfect 3ms — the perfect/participle ambiguity is the same challenge as the Biconsonantal class

Part B — Mixed (All Eight Classes)

#	Form	Reference	Class
41	תֵרָאֶה	Gen 1:9
III-ה	Imperfect/Jussive	3fs	רָאָה — "let the dry land appear"; ר causes compensatory lengthening (תֵ not תִ); final ֶה = III-ה imperfect
42	וַיִּוָּדַע	Est 2:22
I-י	Wayyiqtol	3ms	יָדַע — "and the matter became known to Mordecai"; וַיִּוָּ cluster; Pathach under R2 (יָדַע class vs. Tsere in יָלַד class)
43	נֶעֱמַד	1 Sam 17:16
I-guttural	Perfect	3ms	עָמַד — "the Philistine took his stand"; נֶ prefix + composite Shewa under ע
44	וַיִּמָּצְאוּ	Gen 47:14
III-א	Wayyiqtol	3mp	מָצָא — "and all the silver was gathered"; 3mp ending + final silent א
45	נוֹדַע	Gen 41:21
I-י	Perfect	3ms	יָדַע — "it was not known that they had entered"; נוֹ prefix + Pathach under R2 = perfect 3ms of I-י
46	וַיִּגַּשׁ יְהוּדָה	Gen 44:18
I-נ	Wayyiqtol	3ms	נָגַשׁ — "then Judah drew near to him"; dagesh forte in ג (R2) signals I-נ; root's own נ is completely invisible
47	הֵרָאֵה	1 Kgs 18:1
III-ה	Imperative	2ms	רָאָה — "go, show yourself to Ahab"; הֵ prefix (ר compensatory) + final ֵה = III-ה imperative; contrast with inf. construct הֵרָאוֹת
48	נִשְׁלַח	Est 3:13
III-ח/ע	Perfect	3ms	שָׁלַח — "letters were sent by couriers to all the king's provinces"; נִ prefix + Pathach furtive before final ח
49	נָכוֹן	Exo 34:2
Biconsonantal	Perfect/Participle	3ms/ms	כּוּן — "be ready by morning"; נָ prefix (Qamets) + medial וֹ vowel letter = Biconsonantal (not Geminate which lacks the hollow vowel)
50	וַיִּסֹּב	2 Sam 5:23
Geminate	Wayyiqtol	3ms	סָבַב — "circle around behind them"; וַיִּ + dagesh forte in ב (R2=R3); root ס-ב-ב has identical R2 and R3 = Geminate class
51	נִמְצְאוּ	Exo 12:19
III-א	Perfect	3cp	מָצָא — "whoever is found eating leaven"; 3cp ending + final silent א
52	יֵעָמְדוּ	Num 27:22
I-guttural	Imperfect	3mp	עָמַד — "they shall stand before Eleazar the priest"; יֵ prefix (no dagesh in ע) + 3mp ending

Form

Reference

Class

Conjugation

PGN

Root

תֵרָאֶה

Gen 1:9

III-ה

Imperfect/Jussive

3fs

רָאָה — "let the dry land appear"; ר causes compensatory lengthening (תֵ not תִ); final ֶה = III-ה imperfect

וַיִּוָּדַע

Est 2:22

I-י

Wayyiqtol

3ms

יָדַע — "and the matter became known to Mordecai"; וַיִּוָּ cluster; Pathach under R2 (יָדַע class vs. Tsere in יָלַד class)

נֶעֱמַד

1 Sam 17:16

I-guttural

Perfect

3ms

עָמַד — "the Philistine took his stand"; נֶ prefix + composite Shewa under ע

וַיִּמָּצְאוּ

Gen 47:14

III-א

Wayyiqtol

3mp

מָצָא — "and all the silver was gathered"; 3mp ending + final silent א

נוֹדַע

Gen 41:21

I-י

Perfect

3ms

יָדַע — "it was not known that they had entered"; נוֹ prefix + Pathach under R2 = perfect 3ms of I-י

וַיִּגַּשׁ יְהוּדָה

Gen 44:18

I-נ

Wayyiqtol

3ms

נָגַשׁ — "then Judah drew near to him"; dagesh forte in ג (R2) signals I-נ; root's own נ is completely invisible

הֵרָאֵה

1 Kgs 18:1

III-ה

Imperative

2ms

רָאָה — "go, show yourself to Ahab"; הֵ prefix (ר compensatory) + final ֵה = III-ה imperative; contrast with inf. construct הֵרָאוֹת

נִשְׁלַח

Est 3:13

III-ח/ע

Perfect

3ms

שָׁלַח — "letters were sent by couriers to all the king's provinces"; נִ prefix + Pathach furtive before final ח

נָכוֹן

Exo 34:2

Biconsonantal

Perfect/Participle

3ms/ms

כּוּן — "be ready by morning"; נָ prefix (Qamets) + medial וֹ vowel letter = Biconsonantal (not Geminate which lacks the hollow vowel)

וַיִּסֹּב

2 Sam 5:23

Geminate

Wayyiqtol

3ms

סָבַב — "circle around behind them"; וַיִּ + dagesh forte in ב (R2=R3); root ס-ב-ב has identical R2 and R3 = Geminate class

נִמְצְאוּ

Exo 12:19

III-א

Perfect

3cp

מָצָא — "whoever is found eating leaven"; 3cp ending + final silent א

יֵעָמְדוּ

Num 27:22

I-guttural

Imperfect

3mp

עָמַד — "they shall stand before Eleazar the priest"; יֵ prefix (no dagesh in ע) + 3mp ending

Discussion Questions

Items 1 and 5 (III-א) are both pointed נִמְצָא — the perfect 3ms and the participle ms are identical. What contextual or syntactic clues allow you to distinguish them in a real text?
Compare items 8 (וַיִּגָּל, III-ה wayyiqtol) and 17 (וַיִּגַּשׁ, I-נ wayyiqtol). Both show a short form after וַיִּ with a dagesh. How do you tell them apart? What does each dagesh signal in each form?
Items 10 (וַיֵּרָא, III-ה) and 13 (וַיֵּאָמֵר, I-guttural) both have the prefix וַיֵּ instead of the expected וַיִּ. Is this the same phonological rule producing the lengthening in both cases? Explain.
Items 21 (נוֹלַד) and 25 (נוֹלָד) differ only in the vowel under R2 (Pathach vs. Qamets). One is a perfect 3ms and the other is a participle ms. Which is which, and what grammatical behavior would each show in a clause?
Items 26 (נִשְׁמַע, III-ח/ע perfect) and item 1 (נִמְצָא, III-א perfect) both begin with the Niphal נִ prefix. What distinguishes them visually, and what is the phonological reason the Pathach furtive appears before שָׁמַע but not before מָצָא?
Items 31 and 33 both show the form נָכוֹן (Biconsonantal, root כּוּן). One is a perfect 3ms and the other is a participle ms — yet both are pointed identically. How does this parallel the challenge in question 1 (III-א), and what does this tell you about the general problem of distinguishing Niphal perfect 3ms from participle ms in weak-root classes?
Items 36 and 40 (Geminate) are both pointed נָסַב — perfect 3ms and participle ms are identical, just like the Biconsonantal class in question 6. Both Geminate and Biconsonantal Niphal use the נָ prefix. Given the form נָסַב, what information outside the vocalization must you use to decide whether the root is Geminate (ס-ב-ב) or Biconsonantal? Why does this matter for parsing in a real OT text?