Chapter 27 — Qal–Hiphil Contrast Drill (Weak Verbs)

BBH Chapter 27 · Hiphil Weak Verbs
Instructions: For each item: (1) write an English translation of the Hiphil form; (2) name the semantic function (Causative / Factitive / Declarative / Simple Action); (3) explain in one sentence why the Hiphil meaning follows from the Qal. Click ▶ Answer to reveal each row.

Part A — I-י / I-נ Weak Roots

#RootQal MeaningHiphil FormConjRefTranslationFunction
1יָדַעto knowהוֹדִיעַPerfect 3msDeu 4:9
1יָדַעto knowהוֹדִיעַPerfect 3msDeu 4:9 he made known / declaredCausativeCausing others to know; Qal = to know
2יָצָאto go outהוֹצִיאPerfect 3msGen 15:7
2יָצָאto go outהוֹצִיאPerfect 3msGen 15:7 he brought outCausativeGod caused Abram to exit Ur; Qal = go out
3יָשַׁבto sit, dwellהוֹשִׁיבWayyiqtol 3msGen 47:11
3יָשַׁבto sit, dwellהוֹשִׁיבWayyiqtol 3msGen 47:11 he settled them (in the land)CausativeJoseph caused his family to dwell; Qal = to sit/dwell
4נָפַלto fallהִפִּילWayyiqtol 3msGen 2:21
4נָפַלto fallהִפִּילWayyiqtol 3msGen 2:21 he caused to fall / cast downCausativeGod caused deep sleep to fall on Adam; Qal = fall
5נָגַשׁto draw nearהִגִּישׁWayyiqtol 3msGen 43:31
5נָגַשׁto draw nearהִגִּישׁWayyiqtol 3msGen 43:31 he set before them / brought nearCausativeJoseph caused food to be set before them; Qal = draw near

Part B — Hollow Roots (I/II-ו/י)

#RootQal MeaningHiphil FormConjRefTranslationFunction
6בּוֹאto come, go inהֵבִיאPerfect 3msGen 43:17
6בּוֹאto come, go inהֵבִיאPerfect 3msGen 43:17 he broughtCausativeBrothers were caused to come to Joseph's house; Qal = come
7שׁוּבto returnהֵשִׁיבWayyiqtol 3msGen 42:25
7שׁוּבto returnהֵשִׁיבWayyiqtol 3msGen 42:25 he gave back / returned itCausativeJoseph caused the silver to be returned; Qal = return
8קוּםto rise, standהֵקִיםWayyiqtol 3msGen 6:18
8קוּםto rise, standהֵקִיםWayyiqtol 3msGen 6:18 he established / confirmedCausativeGod caused the covenant to stand; Qal = rise/stand
9מוּתto dieיָמִיתImperfect 3msDeu 17:12
9מוּתto dieיָמִיתImperfect 3msDeu 17:12 he will put to deathCausativeCausing death; Qal = die
10שִׂיםto set, putיָשִׂיםImperfect 3msGen 24:2
10שִׂיםto set, putיָשִׂיםImperfect 3msGen 24:2 he will put / placeSimple ActionHiphil = primary usage for placing; Qal rare in same sense

Part C — III-ה Weak Roots

#RootQal MeaningHiphil FormConjRefTranslationFunction
11עָלָהto go upהֶעֱלָהPerfect 3msGen 46:4
11עָלָהto go upהֶעֱלָהPerfect 3msGen 46:4 he brought upCausativeGod caused Jacob to go up to Egypt; Qal = go up
12רָאָהto seeהֶרְאָהPerfect 3msDeu 34:1
12רָאָהto seeהֶרְאָהPerfect 3msDeu 34:1 he showedCausativeThe LORD caused Moses to see the land; Qal = see
13נָטָהto stretch outהִטָּהWayyiqtol 3msExo 10:13
13נָטָהto stretch outהִטָּהWayyiqtol 3msExo 10:13 he stretched outCausativeMoses stretched out his staff; Qal = extend/stretch
14גָּלָהto go into exileהִגְלָהPerfect 3ms2 Kgs 17:6
14גָּלָהto go into exileהִגְלָהPerfect 3ms2 Kgs 17:6 he exiled / sent into exileCausativeKing caused Israel to go into exile; Qal = go into exile
15הָיָהto beיֶהְיֶהImperfect 3ms—
15הָיָהto beיֶהְיֶהImperfect 3ms— it will be / come aboutSimple ActionIII-ה root; context determines; Qal = be/become
Discussion Questions:
  1. In Part A, the I-י roots (יָדַע, יָצָא, יָשַׁב) all use הוֹ– as the Hiphil prefix. What happens to the initial י? Describe the contraction in one sentence.
  2. Items 8 (קוּם) and 9 (מוּת) are both hollow roots classified as Causative. Can a hollow root ever produce a Factitive or Declarative Hiphil? Give a reason for your answer.
  3. Compare עָלָה in Ch26's exercise and item 11 here. Both use the same root, but item 11 is a Perfect rather than an Imperative. Does the weak-root form change your ability to recognize it as Hiphil?